Spicy Lemon Pepper Shrimp Skewers

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy shrimp marinated in a spicy lemon pepper blend, grilled to perfection on skewers for a quick and flavorful summer appetizer. This seafood-inspired summer cookout ready in about 31 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, finely grated lemon zest, freshly squeezed lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 Seafood cuisine 180 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp olive oil, and 1 tsp salt to create a marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the marinade and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 425°F). Thread the marinated shrimp evenly onto 6 soaked wooden skewers.
  4. Step 4: Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque with slight char marks, being careful not to overcook.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with lemon wedges or your favorite dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Lemon Pepper Shrimp Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 31 minutes (25 min prep + 6 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 Spicy Lemon Pepper 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 finely grated lemon zest from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Lemon Pepper 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 Spicy Lemon Pepper Shrimp Skewers for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spicy Lemon Pepper Shrimp Skewers?

Seafood summer cookout 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.

Related recipes