Grilled Chile Lime Shrimp Skewers

Grilled Chile Lime Shrimp Skewers are a culinary delight. Succulent shrimp, marinated in a zesty Chile Lime blend, are expertly grilled, resulting in a deliciously flavorful and effortlessly prepared meal that will leave your taste buds satisfied and craving more.

These Grilled Shrimp Skewers are the perfect summer dish to enjoy at your next backyard cookout or BBQ party! Plump and juicy shrimp slathered in a bright and zesty Chile Lime marinade, cooked on the grill to give them a smoky flavor and nice sear. 

This summer, forgo your usual shrimp-in-a-pan recipes and enjoy the nice weather outside while making delicious shrimp kabobs! Who wants to stay in the kitchen when you can cook outdoors, right? There’s nothing like golden sunshine and the mouthwatering aroma wafting from the griller that makes a warm and cheerful ambiance! Plus- you will have fewer dishes to use and wash- and that is always a win for me! 

Quick and Easy Grilled Chile Lime Shrimp Skewers

Grilling shrimp in skewers is super easy too! All you need are a few ingredients to make the flavorful marinade, then soak the shrimp for a few minutes. Once you have them on skewers and the griller, they will be done before you know it. They are perfect as party appetizers,  or you can serve them over fried rice, pasta, or salads for a heftier meal. I think I might even try stacking them on top of my Avocado and Pancetta Sandwich next time! Yum!

The Grilled Shrimp Marinade

I wanted to ensure the shrimp’s delicate crustacean flavor and juicy goodness would still shine through this recipe. That is why a light yet zingy marinate is precisely what I aimed for! It is the perfect blend of tangy, savory, and sweet with a mild punch from the chilis. You do not need to marinate the shrimp for long, as you will also use it as a basting sauce as you grill them. When grilled the right way, you will have perfectly caramelized, savory, and smoky shrimp skewers that your whole family will thank you for! 

Ingredients 

Nothing fancy-schmancy, just your usual pantry staples are needed to make the marinade! Once you have the plump shrimp, all you need are some skewers and your outdoor griller. Oh, a nice glass of wine for sippin’ wouldn’t go amiss! 

• Large shrimp, peeled and deveined 
• Olive oil – adding this to the marinade will help the shrimp sear and char beautifully. You can also use other neutral oils like canola or peanut oil. 
• Fresh lime juice – nothing brightens up a marinate more than a fresh squeeze of citrus. 
• Garlic- Adds a sharp punch flavor to the mix.  
• Honey – for some much-needed sweetness! This will also give the shrimp a nice caramelized layer that is just absolutely delicious. 
• Soy sauce- I used low-sodium for this recipe to make the marinate less salty. You can also use tamari sauce to make this dish gluten-free. 
• Chili garlic sauce- use just enough to give them a pleasant fiery mouthfeel. Unless you want them really spicy! Make the necessary adjustments to fit your liking. 
• Garnishes- I used fresh chopped cilantro and serrano rounds for this recipe. 
• Lime wedges- for serving

How to Make Grilled Chile Lime Shrimp Skewers

Preparations:

• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat
• Wash, devein and peel the shrimp
• If you are using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent the skewers from burning on the grill.

Steps:

• Make the Chile-Lime Marinade- Combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, honey, soy sauce, and chili sauce in a large mixing bowl. Once mixed, scoop about a quarter of the mixture off the bowl and keep it for later. 
• Marinade the Shrimp. Add the shrimp to the bowl with the marinade and toss until they are coated evenly. Let them marinate for a few minutes.
• Grill! Thread the shrimp onto the skewers and place them on the preheated grill. Remember shrimp cook fast – about three minutes per side, so quickly brush the shrimp with the reserved marinade when grilling. 
• Serve. Remove the shrimp skewers from the grill, garnish with cilantro and serrano rounds and serve with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy!

Tips: How to make grilled Chile lime shrimp skewers

• Use large to jumbo shrimp because they are easier to thread on the skewers. 
• Frozen shrimps will take longer to prep as you need to devein and peel them, but they will give you the best results! However, frozen shrimp will also work fine in this recipe and will definitely save you time and effort. 
• If you are using frozen shrimp, thaw them in the fridge overnight. They should be tender and supple enough to get on the skewers. 
• A simple way to devein shrimp is to slit the back until you see the vein and pull it out. Use a small paring knife to make it easier. 
• Do not throw away the head and tails! You can keep them in the fridge to make stock later on.  
• Letting your shrimp marinate too long is not recommended, as the acid from the lime juice will “cook” the meat slowly. This can result in them becoming too firm and losing their juiciness.
• Do not overcook your shrimp, or they will turn dry and rubbery. You will know they are cooked when they turn from gray to pink. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Can I keep the tails on? Yes, that is entirely up to you! I prefer it off, so I don’t have to clean them up afterward. 
• Can I skip deveining the shrimp? The vein is not poisonous, so you can cook and eat the shrimp without removing it. However, it contains grit and can be unpleasant when consumed. 
• I do not have an outdoor grill; can I use other methods? You can always use a griller pan to still get those char marks. Or you can also use your broiler or oven for cooking them. 
• Can I add some veggies in the skewer? Absolutely! You can stack on bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, zucchini, and more! This will make it even healthier!

Serving and Storing

Straight off the grill and into the plate! These Chile Lime Shrimp Skewers are best enjoyed while warm and juicy! If you have leftovers, place them in a lidded container and refrigerate them. Make sure to consume within three days.