Best of the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Juicy shrimp skewers marinated in a zesty lemon-garlic sauce, grilled to perfection with a caramelized glaze. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 45 minutes pairs pcs (16 oz total) shrimp, lemon zest, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 pcs (16 oz total) shrimp
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 cup (store-bought or homemade) marinade
- 12 pcs (wooden or metal) skewers
- 4 pcs (for garnish) grilled lemon slices
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, olive oil, brown sugar, and soy sauce to make marinade.
- Step 2: Thread shrimp onto skewers, leaving space between each piece.
- Step 3: Pour marinade over shrimp, ensuring all pieces are coated. Marinate for 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Step 5: Brush grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 6: Grill skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 7: While grilling, prepare glaze by mixing 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tbsp soy sauce.
- Step 8: Brush glaze over skewers during last 2 minutes of grilling.
- Step 9: Garnish with grilled lemon slices and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best of the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best of the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pcs (16 oz total) shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best of the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best of the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best of the Best Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skewers?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order mediterranean delivery again.
