Zesty Grilled Lemon Pepper Shrimp Skewers

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

Juicy shrimp marinated in lemon juice and cracked black pepper, grilled to perfection on skewers for a bright, summery appetizer or main dish. This caribbean-inspired seafood ready in about 31 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest 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 Caribbean cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp cracked black pepper, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 tsp salt.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes to absorb flavors.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread shrimp onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, about 4-5 shrimp per skewer.
  4. Step 4: Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque with slight char marks. Remove from grill and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Zesty Grilled 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 Zesty Grilled 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 fresh lemon juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Zesty Grilled 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 Zesty Grilled 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 Zesty Grilled Lemon Pepper Shrimp Skewers?

Caribbean 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.

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