Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers: 4 Quick Dinner Ideas

Sizzling Summer Nights and Flavorful Feasts

Hey there, fellow food lovers! Do you ever find yourself dreaming of those perfect summer evenings, the air warm and fragrant, with the irresistible scent of something delicious grilling in the background? There’s just something magical about cooking outdoors, isn’t there? It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience, a memory in the making. Today, I’m so excited to share a recipe that perfectly captures that joyous, laid-back vibe while delivering an explosion of fresh flavors: Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers. Get ready to fire up the grill and create a dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious!

Why Make This Recipe

You will love these skewers because they are:

• Effortlessly Elegant: They look fancy but are easy to make.
• Flavorful & Fresh: They have sweet shrimp and crisp vegetables.
• Healthy & Wholesome: They are full of lean protein and colorful nutrients.
• Quick & Easy: They are perfect for busy nights or gatherings.
• Customizable: You can change them with your favorite vegetables.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves this dish.

How to Make Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers

Making these skewers is simple. You will prepare the ingredients, marinate them for flavor, put them on skewers, and then grill them until cooked perfectly.

Ingredients of Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers

For the Skewers:

• Fresh Shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on or off)
• Bell Peppers (various colors, cut into 1-inch squares)
• Zucchini (cut into thick half-moons or 1-inch chunks)
• Red Onion (cut into wedges)
• Cherry Tomatoes (whole)
• Optional: Mushrooms, pineapple chunks, small corn on the cob

For the Marinade:

• Olive Oil
• Garlic (minced)
• Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
• Dried Oregano
• Paprika (sweet or smoked)
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Optional: A touch of honey or maple syrup for sweetness, red pepper flakes for a kick, fresh parsley for garnish.

Equipment:

• Grill (gas, charcoal, or indoor grill pan)
• Skewers (wooden, soaked for 30 minutes, or metal)
• Large mixing bowl
• Tongs
• Basting brush

Directions of Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers

• Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
• Wash and cut all vegetables.
• Pat shrimp dry with paper towels.
• Make your marinade in a large bowl.

• Step 2: Marinate for Maximum Flavor
• Put shrimp and vegetables with the marinade.
• Toss gently to cover everything well.
• Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. Do not marinate shrimp for too long.

• Step 3: Assemble Your Skewers
• Put shrimp and vegetables on your skewers, one after another.
• Do not crowd them; leave space for good cooking.

• Step 4: Grill to Perfection
• Heat your grill to medium-high.
• Lightly oil grill grates to stop sticking.
• Place skewers on the hot grill.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, turning sometimes, until shrimp are pink and not clear, and vegetables are soft but still a little firm with grill marks.

• Step 5: Serve and Savor!
• Take from grill and let rest for a minute or two.
• Add fresh herbs if you like.

How to Serve Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers

You can serve these delicious skewers with many other dishes.

• Fluffy Basmati Rice or Quinoa
• Couscous Salad with Feta and Mint
• Simple Green Salad with a lemon dressing
• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Crusty Bread for soaking up extra juices

Delicious Dipping Sauces:

• Cool Tzatziki Sauce
• Spicy Sriracha Mayo
• Fresh Chimichurri
• Simple Lemon Herb Yogurt Sauce

How to Store Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers

Store cooked skewers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Heat them gently when ready to eat.

Tips to Make Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers

• Do Not Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cooks fast! Watch them closely to keep them from becoming tough.
• Pre-Soak Wooden Skewers: This stops them from burning on the grill.
• Cut Veggies Uniformly: This helps everything cook evenly.
• Clean Your Grill: Start with clean grates to stop sticking and improve taste.
• Marinade Time Matters: Follow the given marinating times for the best taste and texture.

Variation

• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red chili powder or a dash of hot sauce to the marinade.
• Sweet & Tangy: Add pineapple chunks and a splash of orange juice to the marinade.
• Herbaceous Delight: Use fresh rosemary, thyme, or dill in the marinade.
• Mediterranean Twist: Add Kalamata olives and feta cheese to the skewers after grilling.
• Surf ‘n’ Turf: Put shrimp and pieces of marinated steak or chicken on the skewer, alternating them.

FAQs

Q1: Can I make these Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers ahead of time?
A1: You can cut your vegetables and prepare the marinade before you need them. However, it is best to put the shrimp on skewers and marinate them just before grilling. Shrimp can become tough if they marinate for too long.

Q2: What is the best way to make sure my shrimp and veggies cook evenly on the grill?
A2: Cut your vegetables into similar sizes. Also, do not put too many items on the skewers; leave a little space between each piece for equal heat.

Q3: I do not have an outdoor grill. Can I still make these Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers?
A3: Yes, definitely! You can use an indoor grill pan or cook them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes. Flip them halfway through until the shrimp are cooked and the veggies are soft.

Classic Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Skewers

These classic grilled shrimp and veggie skewers are packed with flavor, featuring succulent shrimp and colorful vegetables marinated to perfection and cooked on the grill for a delicious and healthy meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings 4 people

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Grill
• Skewers
• Large mixing bowl
• Tongs
• Basting brush

Ingredients

  

For the Skewers:

• 1 lb Fresh Shrimp peeled, deveined, tails on or off
• 1 Bell Pepper any color, cut into 1-inch squares
• 1 Zucchini cut into thick half-moons or 1-inch chunks
• 1/2 Red Onion cut into wedges
• 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes whole
• 1 cup Mushrooms Optional
• 1 cup pineapple chunks Optional
• 2 small corn on the cob sliced, Optional

For the Marinade:

• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 3 Garlic minced
• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp Paprika sweet or smoked
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Honey or maple syrup for sweetness, Optional
• 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes for a kick, Optional
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley for garnish, Optional

Instructions

 

Prep & Marinate

• Wash and cut vegetables as specified, then pat shrimp dry.
• Whisk together all marinade ingredients in a large bowl, then add shrimp and vegetables.

Marinate

• Toss gently to coat everything, marinating for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Assemble

• Thread shrimp and vegetables onto skewers, alternating and leaving space for even cooking.

Grill

• Heat grill to medium-high, oiling grates, then cook skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp are pink and vegetables are tender-crisp.
• Remove from grill, let rest, and garnish with parsley if desired before serving immediately.

Notes

For wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning on the grill. Do not marinate shrimp for too long (over 2 hours) as the lemon juice can start to "cook" the shrimp.