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Flavorful Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe Easy Garlic Cilantro Marinade

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Juicy grilled shrimp skewers marinated in a fresh garlic-cilantro blend with lime and spices, perfect for quick and flavorful meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on for presentation)
  • Wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden, soak them in water for 30 minutes)
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed (washed and roughly chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine minced garlic, chopped cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, ground cumin, chili flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix all the flavors together. This should take about 5 minutes.
  2. Marinate the shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl and toss gently to coat each piece evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes. Avoid marinating longer than 1 hour to prevent the acid from making shrimp mushy.
  3. Soak skewers (if wooden): While the shrimp marinates, soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
  4. Preheat your grill: Get your grill or grill pan hot — medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C) works well. If using charcoal, wait until coals are glowing red with a light layer of ash.
  5. Thread the shrimp: Carefully thread 4 to 5 shrimp onto each skewer, leaving a little space between each so they cook evenly. This step takes about 5 minutes.
  6. Grill the shrimp: Place skewers on the grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side. You’ll know they’re ready when they turn opaque with a slight char and curl into a loose “C” shape. Avoid overcooking — shrimp cook fast and become rubbery quickly.
  7. Serve immediately: Remove from grill and let rest for a minute or two. Optionally, drizzle any leftover marinade (reserved before adding shrimp) as a finishing touch for extra flavor.

Notes

Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. Avoid marinating shrimp longer than 1 hour to prevent mushy texture. Flip shrimp only once during grilling to keep them juicy. If shrimp sticks to the grill, wait a bit longer before flipping. Leftover marinade can be drizzled on cooked shrimp for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled shrimp, shrimp skewers, garlic cilantro marinade, easy shrimp recipe, quick dinner, summer grilling, healthy seafood

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