FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love My Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Grill Shrimp
• How Long To Grill Shrimp?
• My Recipe Tips
• Recipe Variations
• Storage Instructions
• Serving Ideas
• More Fast Shrimp Recipes
• Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

I love using my grill to make quick seafood dishes . Case in point: My grilled shrimp skewers ! Yes, this is a flavorful cooking method for grilling lobster tails and salmon (either my classic grilled salmon or salmon in foil ), but shrimp cooks much faster. And you know I can’t resist a lightning fast meal. My shrimp skewers recipe is garlicky and juicy in all the right ways, but the quick cooking is definitely my favorite part — so I can get back to enjoying time with my family. Fire up the grill with me and do the same with yours!

Why You’ll Love My Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe

• Perfectly juicy shrimp – If you’re tired of grilling shrimp that turns out rubbery, that stops now. I promise.
• Smoky, lemony, and garlicky flavor – The key is my simple marinade. It’s super quick, but makes the shrimp taste smoky, lemony, and garlicky all in one.
• Quick and easy – Just marinate your shrimp, thread them onto skewers, and grill in a few minutes! It’s so easy, even my kids like to help with the skewering.
• Versatile – Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a light and healthy dinner , my grilled shrimp skewers fit the bill. They’re always a hit at my backyard get-togethers, but my family also loves them for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my shrimp skewers recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Notes On The Shrimp:

• Size matters – I usually use large shrimp, labeled 31/40. For jumbo shrimp, the cook time is just a tiny bit longer. Smaller shrimp on the grill gets rubbery easily. (Small to medium ones are better for other dishes, like my Mexican shrimp cocktail .)
• Shells, tails, and veins – I highly recommend grilling shrimp with tails on, because this makes them more flavorful. My ideal scenario is buying shrimp that are peeled and deveined, but usually these have the tails removed, so I usually grab easy peel shrimp to finish off myself. But this time, all I could find was fully peeled, so that’s what you see in the pictures. I do recommend peeling before marinating, because the shrimp absorbs the marinade better — and gets that beautiful char on the grill.
• Get them raw – Precooked shrimp will turn tough and rubbery if you grill them, so grab raw ones. (They’ll be gray, not yet pink.)
• Thaw first – You can leave them in the fridge overnight, or cover the bag in a bowl of cold water the day-of.

Grilled Shrimp Marinade:

• Olive Oil – I usually go for light olive oil for a neutral flavor, but you can use extra virgin if you want it more bold. Avocado oil is a great swap, too.
• Lemon Juice – Nothing beats the zing of fresh lemon juice in the marinade (toss in the lemon zest too for a stronger punch), but bottled lemon juice works fine. Lime juice tastes wonderful as well.
• Fresh Garlic – Fresh tastes best, but sometimes I use 2 teaspoons of the jarred stuff when I’m short on time. You can sub 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder if you really need to.
• Italian Seasoning – Grab some from the store or mix up my homemade Italian seasoning . You can also swap in a tablespoon of fresh herbs instead. Parsley, thyme, or oregano work nicely here.
• Smoked Paprika – I love this for that extra smoky touch in my grilled shrimp skewers, but sweet paprika also works.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

How To Grill Shrimp

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Soak your skewers. If using wooden skewers, soaking them in water prevents them from catching on fire on the grill. I like these bamboo skewers , as they don’t heat up as quickly as metal and won’t overcook your shrimp. I weigh them down with a bowl to keep them submerged in the water.
2. Make the marinade. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

1. Marinate the shrimp. Add the shrimp and mix to coat. Let it marinate to absorb the flavors. This part goes fast!
2. Thread onto skewers. You could attempt to grill shrimp without them, but I think it’s a huge pain trying to keep them from falling through the grill grates. Plus, the skewers make flipping a breeze!

1. Cook the shrimp skewers on the grill. Add them to the preheated grill, close the lid, and let the shrimp cook until opaque, flipping halfway through. I like to garnish with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of parsley.

How Long To Grill Shrimp?

My rule of thumb for grilled shrimp is 2-3 minutes per side. This is for large shrimp, and it takes 30-60 seconds longer for jumbo shrimp.

My Recipe Tips

• Don’t marinate for too long. 15 minutes is just fine, but 30 is the max! Any longer and the acid starts to “cook” the shrimp, turning it into shrimp ceviche . And that’s not what we’re going for here.
• Preheat your grill towards the end of the marinating time. The grill takes 10-15 minutes to preheat, so I leave myself just enough time to thread the shrimp skewers and start cooking right after.
• Flip when the bottom half is opaque. My cook time here is a good starting point, but the best way to know it’s time to flip is when the bottom of the grilled shrimp is pink while the top is still a little translucent.
• Remove from the grill quickly. Once the shrimp is pink on the second side, pull it right away to prevent overcooking. Nothing is worse than rubbery shrimp.

Recipe Variations

• Weather not cooperating? You can cook your shrimp skewers on a grill pan (I use this one ) inside in those situations. The cook time is the same.
• Don’t have skewers? Use foil instead. Just toss the shrimp on a big piece of foil, fold into a packet, and grill for about 8-10 minutes. It doesn’t come out charred, but I love the juiciness of this version!
• Want to add color and crunch? Alternate the shrimp with vegetables on the same skewers! The same ones I use for chicken kabobs work well. The veggies do turn out on the crisper side, since shrimp cooks so quickly.
• Prefer a marinade with sweetness or heat? You can add a tablespoon of honey (or my natural sugar-free honey ), or swap the seasonings with my Cajun spice mix (it’s the same one I use for Cajun shrimp ).

Storage Instructions

• Store: The texture of reheated grilled shrimp is nowhere near as good as fresh, but you can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Reheat: A lightly oiled skillet over medium heat is your best bet, but honestly, reheated shrimp usually tastes rubbery. I prefer to toss them into my creamy shrimp salad or shrimp avocado salad instead.
• Freeze: Remove the grilled shrimp from the skewers, cool completely, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Serving Ideas

My grilled shrimp skewers recipe definitely has those light, summery vibes, so I like light and fresh side dishes to match:

• Grilled veggies – Since the grill’s already hot, my go-to sides with this dish are grilled broccoli , grilled zucchini , or grilled asparagus . They’re almost just as quick!
• Salads – Try my spring mix salad or (my daughter’s fave) kale salad for leafy greens. But for some reason, I always end up making lettuce-free ones with my grilled shrimp, like zucchini salad or creamy cucumber salad .
• Sauces – If you want to jazz up your shrimp skewers, drizzle them with my lemon butter sauce or tahini sauce . Sometimes I even dip them in garlic aioli .

More Fast Shrimp Recipes

Shrimp is one of my favorite weeknight dinners — it gets to the table so fast! If you feel the same way, you’ll love these, too:

Shrimp Fajitas

Garlic Butter Shrimp

Shrimp Scampi

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 8 Bamboo skewers ▢
• 1/4 cup Olive oil ▢
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice ▢
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning ▢
• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 1 lb Large shrimp (31/40 size, peeled and deveined) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. If using bamboo skewers , soak them in water for 30-60 minutes before using them on the grill, to prevent burning.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the grilled shrimp marinade: olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the shrimp and gently turn to coat. Marinate shrimp for 15-30 minutes , but no longer than that.
4. Meanwhile, preheat the grill for about 15 minutes , or a grill pan for 3-5 minutes , over medium-high heat.
5. While the grill preheats, remove the shrimp from the marinade and thread onto the skewers.
6. Place the shrimp skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes , until the shrimp is pink and opaque on the bottom but still slightly translucent on top. Flip and cook for 2-3 minutes again, until opaque on the other side.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2 skewers, about 8-10 shrimp total

Nutrition info includes 1/3 of the marinade, as the rest is discarded.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Gratitude Moment

Today is Father’s Day, and I’m reminded of what a great dad my husband is to my girls! He’s our “fixer of everything”, both literally and figuratively.

You can also thank him for this grilled shrimp recipe, even though I created it, because he’s the one who convinced me to like shrimp (many moons ago, when I first learned how to bake juicy shrimp ). Now, 3 of our 4 family members enjoy it. Does your family have foods that some of you are still coming around to?

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

My grilled shrimp skewers recipe is easy, flavorful and fast! Whip up the quick marinade with olive oil, lemon & garlic, and cook in minutes.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/shrimp-skewers/

Ingredients

• 8 Bamboo skewers
• 1/4 cup Olive oil
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 1 lb Large shrimp (31/40 size, peeled and deveined)

Instructions

1. If using bamboo skewers , soak them in water for 30-60 minutes before using them on the grill, to prevent burning.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the grilled shrimp marinade: olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the shrimp and gently turn to coat. Marinate shrimp for 15-30 minutes , but no longer than that.
4. Meanwhile, preheat the grill for about 15 minutes , or a grill pan for 3-5 minutes , over medium-high heat.
5. While the grill preheats, remove the shrimp from the marinade and thread onto the skewers.
6. Place the shrimp skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes , until the shrimp is pink and opaque on the bottom but still slightly translucent on top. Flip and cook for 2-3 minutes again, until opaque on the other side.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2 skewers, about 8-10 shrimp total

Nutrition info includes 1/3 of the marinade, as the rest is discarded.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Healthy Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)