Description
These Easy Grilled Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers are the perfect cookout appetizer or main dish, featuring juicy shrimp coated in a warm garlic butter mixture and grilled to perfection in under 20 minutes. Simple ingredients and a clever method ensure every bite is flavorful without the fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds large shrimp (21–25 count), peeled and deveined
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Prepare the garlic butter mixture: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant and just starting to soften. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using). Let cool slightly.
- Prep the shrimp: Pat 1 ½ pounds large shrimp very dry with paper towels. Place in a medium mixing bowl.
- Toss the shrimp: Pour about two-thirds of the garlic butter mixture over the shrimp. Toss gently until evenly coated. Reserve remaining butter for basting. Let sit at room temperature while heating the grill.
- Thread the skewers: Thread shrimp onto skewers, pushing through the thickest part near the tail and head. Leave a little space between each. Aim for 5-6 shrimp per skewer.
- Preheat the grill: Heat grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F). Clean grates and lightly oil them.
- Grill the skewers: Place skewers on grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes on first side without moving. Flip and brush cooked side with reserved garlic butter. Cook for another 1-2 minutes. Total cooking time is 4-5 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Transfer to a platter immediately. Brush with remaining garlic butter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Pat shrimp very dry to ensure searing instead of steaming. Don’t overcook; shrimp go from perfect to rubbery quickly. For wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes before grilling. If using metal skewers, flat ones prevent shrimp from spinning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5-6 shrimp with butt
- Calories: 300
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 2.5
- Protein: 30
Keywords: grilled shrimp, garlic butter shrimp, shrimp skewers, easy appetizer, cookout recipe, quick seafood