Tiffany Haney
Shrimp skewers are a delicious and easy dish to make, perfect for a summer cookout or a quick weeknight meal. They can be cooked on an outdoor grill, an indoor grill pan, or a cast-iron skillet. The key to juicy and flavourful shrimp skewers is to marinate them in a lemon and herb or garlic marinade for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours—the acid in the lemon juice will start to cook the shrimp if left too long. When grilling, cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. So, whether you're firing up the barbecue or cooking indoors, shrimp skewers are a quick and tasty option for any occasion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cookware | Grill, cast-iron skillet, griddle, grill pan |
| Marinade ingredients | Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, parsley, basil, shallot, Dijon mustard, dry mustard, sea salt, red pepper |
| Marinade time | 10 minutes to 2 hours |
| Skewer type | Bamboo, metal, wooden |
| Skewer preparation | Soak in water for 30 minutes to an hour |
| Shrimp preparation | Devein, peel shells and tails (optional) |
| Shrimp per skewer | 4-6 |
| Cooking time | 2-7 minutes on each side |
| Shrimp appearance when cooked | Opaque pink with bright red tail |
| Shrimp texture when cooked | Slightly firm with a crunch |
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What You'll Learn
Marinating shrimp for a pan fry
Shrimp can be marinated in a variety of savory ingredients to enhance their flavor. A marinade typically consists of olive oil, soy sauce, lemon zest, honey, herbs, garlic, and seasonings. You can also add lemon juice, salt, oregano, paprika, and garlic powder. The shrimp should be left to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to 1 hour. However, if your marinade contains citrus juice, do not leave the shrimp for longer than 2 hours, as the acid will start to cook the shrimp, making them tough and chewy.
When pan-frying marinated shrimp, you can use a large skillet or frying pan. Drizzle olive oil into the pan and heat it over medium to high heat. Once the oil is fragrant, add the shrimp and any excess marinade to the pan. Cook the shrimp for around 2 to 4 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque, and are slightly firm to the touch.
You can also thread the shrimp onto skewers and cook them that way. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to an hour before using. Heat a griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp skewers and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on one side, then turn the shrimp over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. The shrimp are done when they are opaque pink with a bright red tail.
For a simple pan-fried shrimp recipe, melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring until browned. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice, garlic salt, salt, and pepper. Cook for about another minute, then remove from the heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
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How to thread shrimp onto skewers
Threading shrimp onto skewers is a simple process, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your skewers are safe and effective. Firstly, if using bamboo or wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for around 30 minutes before threading the shrimp. This will prevent the skewers from catching fire when placed on the grill or in a pan.
Once your skewers are ready, you can start threading the shrimp. It is recommended to thread the shrimp with the tails pointing in the same direction, and most recipes suggest using around four shrimp per skewer. You can leave the tails on or remove them, depending on your preference. Leaving the tails on can result in a nicer presentation, but it is also a matter of personal preference.
When threading the shrimp, gently push the skewer through the centre of each shrimp, creating a line of shrimp along the skewer. You can also add other ingredients to the skewer, such as vegetables, to create a varied and colourful dish.
After your shrimp skewers are assembled, they are ready to be cooked. Shrimp cook quickly, so keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking. Depending on the cooking method, shrimp skewers typically take around 2-3 minutes to cook on each side. Shrimp are cooked when they turn from grey and flabby to opaque pink with a bright red tail. Cooked shrimp should have a slightly firm texture with a gentle bite.
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Pan frying shrimp skewers
Pan-frying shrimp skewers is a quick and easy way to cook shrimp, and a good alternative to grilling. It's also a convenient option if you don't have an outdoor grill, or if the weather is poor.
To pan-fry shrimp skewers, you'll first need to prepare a marinade. A popular option is a Mediterranean-style marinade with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, paprika, and garlic powder. You can also add herbs like parsley and basil, as well as Dijon mustard, shallots, and lemon juice. Mix these ingredients in a bowl, and then add the shrimp, tossing them gently to coat them evenly. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge to marinate for at least 15 minutes, but no longer than 2 hours. The acid in lemon juice will start to cook the shrimp if left too long.
While the shrimp is marinating, prepare your skewers. If you're using bamboo or wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent them from catching fire. Then, thread the shrimp onto the skewers, with the tails pointing in the same direction. Aim for around four to six shrimp per skewer.
Now you're ready to start cooking. Heat a dry griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Don't add oil to the pan, as the shrimp will already be coated in oil from the marinade. Place the shrimp skewers in the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, turn the skewers over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Shrimp is cooked when it turns from grey and flabby to opaque pink with a bright red tail. It should be slightly firm with a crunchy texture.
You can serve the shrimp skewers as a main dish, or with sides like garlic aioli, Greek dips, couscous, or lemon rice.
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How long to cook shrimp skewers
Shrimp skewers can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, pan-frying, and baking. The cooking time will depend on the method and the heat source used.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
When grilling shrimp skewers, it is important to ensure that the grill is hot before adding the shrimp. This helps to prevent the shrimp from steaming instead of grilling. The grill should be heated to high, and then the heat should be lowered to between 275 and 325 degrees Fahrenheit. The grill grates should be lightly oiled before adding the shrimp skewers.
The cooking time for grilled shrimp skewers can vary depending on the size of the shrimp and the heat of the grill. In general, shrimp skewers will need to cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. The shrimp are done when they turn from grey and flabby to opaque pink with a bright red tail. It is important to note that even large shrimp will grill quickly, so it is important to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
Pan-Fried Shrimp Skewers
When pan-frying shrimp skewers, it is important to use a cast iron skillet or grill pan and heat it over medium-high heat. The shrimp should be added to the pan and cooked for 1 to 2 minutes per side. As with grilling, it is important to be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they will continue to cook even after being removed from the heat.
Baked Shrimp Skewers
Baked shrimp skewers are a quick and easy option that can be prepared in the oven. To bake shrimp skewers, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The shrimp should be threaded onto skewers and placed on the prepared baking sheet. The baking time will depend on the size of the shrimp and the desired level of doneness, but generally, the shrimp will need to bake for about 4 minutes, and then broiled for an additional 2 minutes.
Overall, the cooking time for shrimp skewers will depend on the cooking method and the heat source used. It is important to keep an eye on the shrimp and adjust the cooking time as needed to avoid overcooking.
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Sides to serve with shrimp skewers
Grilled shrimp skewers are a versatile dish that can be paired with various sides to make a delicious meal. Here are some ideas for sides to serve with your pan-fried shrimp skewers:
Salads
A simple salad is always a great option to accompany grilled shrimp skewers. You can go for a classic green salad or get creative with some seasonal vegetables. If you want something a little more substantial, a pasta salad or a grain salad with chickpeas or couscous would be a great choice. For a refreshing option, try a cucumber salad or a tangy carrot slaw. Fruit can also feature in salads, such as a mix of sweet summer peaches and juicy cherry tomatoes.
Grilled Vegetables
Get your grill going and cook up some corn on the cob, zucchini, or vegetable kebabs to serve alongside your shrimp skewers. Grilled onions and even lettuce with a Caesar dressing are also unique and tasty options.
Starchy Sides
Starchier sides can also be a great pairing with grilled shrimp skewers. You could try roasted potatoes, garlic bread, or plain couscous. For something a little different, how about some grilled sweet potatoes with a spicy honey-lime vinaigrette?
Dips and Sauces
Shrimp skewers can also be served with various dips and sauces. A garlic aioli is a classic option, or you could try a Greek garlic and potato dip called skordalia. Lemon or lime wedges are also a simple way to add a little extra flavour to your shrimp skewers.
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Frequently asked questions
Marinate the shrimp for at least 15 minutes or up to a maximum of 2 hours. The acid from the lemon juice can cook the shrimp without heat, so avoid marinating for longer than 2 hours.
Combine olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, parsley, basil, shallot, Dijon mustard, dry mustard, sea salt, and cracked pepper, to taste.
You can use fresh or frozen shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, thaw them in the fridge overnight in a fine mesh sieve to drain the water. If you are short on time, place them in a bowl and run them under a cold tap.
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat the pan with cooking spray. Add the skewers once the pan is hot. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
