Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Hey y'all! If you're looking for a dish that's bursting with flavor and sure to impress at any cookout, these Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers are your new go-to recipe. Picture tender, juicy shrimp coated in rich garlic butter, lightly charred from the grill and ready in no time – whether it's a weeknight dinner, backyard BBQ, or game day snack, they'll disappear fast! Let's get cooking!

Why You'll Love This Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe

• Quick to prepare and cook, perfect for busy nights.
• Loaded with savory, garlicky flavor and a hint of smoky char.
• Great for entertaining or feeding a crowd.
• Low-carb, gluten-free, and packed with protein.
• Versatile – enjoy as an appetizer, main, or salad topper.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers

• 1 ½ lbs (680g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on recommended)
• ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• Wooden or metal skewers

How to Make Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Step 1: Prep the Shrimp

• Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Butter Marinade

• In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
• Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Skewer the Shrimp

• Thread the shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head, so they lay flat.
• Reserve extra marinade for basting.

Step 4: Grill the Skewers

• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (400°F/200°C).
• Place shrimp skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, basting with reserved garlic butter, until shrimp turn pink and slightly charred.
• Do not overcook, as shrimp can become rubbery fast.

Step 5: Serve

• Remove from grill and let rest for 1-2 minutes.
• Garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes & Helpful Cooking Tips

• For perfectly juicy shrimp, use large or jumbo shrimp for grilling. Learn more about shrimp cooking times here.
• Don’t skip soaking wooden skewers – this prevents burning on the grill.
• Leftover marinade should only be used for basting while cooking, not for serving.

Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers Variations

• Herb-Lovers: Add chopped basil, thyme, or cilantro to the marinade for extra freshness.
• Spicy Cajun: Swap smoked paprika for Cajun seasoning and increase red pepper flakes for more heat.
• Asian-Inspired: Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon grated ginger to the marinade.

Required Equipment for Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers

• Grill (gas, charcoal, or indoor grill pan)
• Mixing bowl
• Skewers (metal or pre-soaked wooden)
• Brush for basting
• Tongs

Storage Instructions for Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers

• Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or enjoy chilled in salads.
• Not recommended for freezing, as shrimp can become tough when reheated from frozen.

Serving & Pairing Recommendations

• Serve skewers over rice, couscous, or a fresh green salad.
• Pair with grilled vegetables or toasted bread to soak up extra garlic butter.
• Enjoy with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light, citrusy beer.

Pro Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers

• Don’t over-marinate – 20 minutes is plenty to avoid mushy shrimp. See more on shrimp marinating tips.
• Use two skewers per batch to keep shrimp from spinning and flipping while grilling.
• Brush with extra garlic butter during grilling for maximum flavor and juicy texture.

Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers FAQ

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes! Just thaw the shrimp completely, pat dry, and proceed as directed.

How do I know when the shrimp are done?

Shrimp are cooked when they curl into a C-shape and turn opaque pink with slight grill marks. Overcooking will make them rubbery.

Is this recipe healthy?

Yes – it’s high in protein, low-carb, and gluten-free. For more nutritional info, check out this article on shrimp nutrition.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 6-8 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes

★★★★★ 4.10 from 64 ratings

Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers

yield: 4 servings

prep: 15 mins

cook: 10 mins

total: 25 mins

Juicy shrimp marinated in a flavorful garlic butter sauce, skewered and grilled to perfection. A quick and delicious meal perfect for summer dinners or gatherings.

🖨️ Print Pin Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Wooden or metal skewers

Instructions

1. 1
   If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning.
2. 2
   In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, minced garlic, parsley, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. 3
   Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for 10 minutes.
4. 4
   Thread the shrimp onto skewers, piercing through the tail and head end of each shrimp.
5. 5
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
6. 6
   Remove from grill and serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley and lemon wedges if desired.

CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO ↑

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 serving

Calories: 210cal

Protein: 26 gg

Fat: 10 gg

Saturated Fat: 0g

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 0mg

Potassium: 0mg

Total Carbs: 3 gg

Fiber: 0g

Sugar: 0g

Net Carbs: 0g

Vitamin A: 0

Vitamin C: 0mg

Calcium: 0mg

Iron: 0mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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