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It’s summer, which means it’s time to fire up the grill and make some seriously good Grilled Baja Shrimp Skewers! These shrimp are grilled to perfection and are rich with fresh lime flavor. Make these for your next backyard barbecue and you won’t be disappointed!
I’m a big sucker for skewers. They’re the perfect party food! Just grab a skewer in one hand, a drink in another, and mingle.
Of all my favorite go-to skewers to grill, these baja shrimp ones really have a special place in my heart. They’re made with an array of mouthwatering seasonings and the perfect amount of lime juice, making them a summertime staple in my backyard.
If you want to really impress at the next block party, these are the skewers to make.
The shrimp are rich with tangy, savory flavor, and if you follow my easy grilling instructions, they’ll be the perfect texture too. When grilled for just 3-4 minutes on each side, they cook all the way through without becoming rubbery and too chewy. Plus, the grill gives them just the right amount of charred, smokey flavor to really make them unforgettable!
The not-so-secret step here that really elevates the shrimp is letting them marinade.
By allowing the shrimp to marinade in the lime juice and seasonings for 30 minutes, they really adapt to the flavors and still retain their texture and natural shrimp flavor as well. It’s the perfect balance of baja flavor and what you love about shrimp already!
Ingredients
- Lime juice – Fresh lime juice is always better than the chemical ridden store-bought stuff! To produce 1/4 cup of lime juice, you’ll need approximately 2 limes, but buy an extra just in case. You can always toss it in a cocktail or beer ;)
- Olive oil – Another neutral flavored cooking oil will work too, like avocado oil.
- Black pepper – Freshly ground black pepper will have the most potent flavor.
- Chili powder – If you want a little extra spice, toss in some cayenne powder along with the chili powder.
- Garlic powder – Want these to be more noticeably garlicky? Toss in 2 tsp instead of just 1. I won’t tell!
- Onion powder – The onion powder in this recipe does a great job of creating both a savory and sweet depth.
- Salt – Kosher or flaky sea salt work best.
- Shrimp – USE FRESH SHRIMP! NOT FROZEN! Frozen shrimp will NOT grill well, even when they’re thawed. Also, save yourself some time by buying raw shrimp that are already peeled and deveined.
What are the best sized shrimp for grilling?
This recipe calls for large shrimp, and that’s because they’re the best for grilling!
They grill quicker than extra large or jumbo shrimp, but they’re still big enough to make for a juicy and satisfying bite.
Why do I need to soak the skewers?
Soaking the skewers before you grill helps to prevent the wooden skewers from burning over the fire. While the edges may still blacken, it’s important to soak the skewers so the entire thing doesn’t turn black.
How can you tell the shrimp are done cooking?
You can tell when the shrimp are done cooking when the exterior is pink and it’s no longer translucent throughout. They will be firm to the touch!
On such high heat, they won’t take very long so make sure you’re watching it!
How can I make this spicy?
Add some cayenne pepper to the marinade! That’ll definitely give you the spice you are looking for.
What is a great side dish to serve with these grilled baja shrimp skewers?
The first options that come to mind are my Mexican street corn off the cob and/or the Mexican street corn kale salad. You can top the salad with the grilled shrimp!
Guacamole makes an excellent choice too!
Serve these skewers at the party, too!
Thai-Inspired Grilled Coconut Chicken Skewers
Salted Lime Butter Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Grilled Chicken Meatball and Peppers Skewer
Grilled Baja Shrimp Skewers
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (59 ml) lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 pounds (907 g) large fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
Instructions
- Mix the lime juice, olive oil, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and salt together in a large bowl then add the shrimp.
- Stir to combine, cover and marinade for 30 minutes.
- In the meantime, soak your skewer sticks for 30 minutes before using them.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat 15 minutes before grilling the shrimp and oil the grates.
- When ready, thread 6-8 shrimp onto each of your skewer sticks then grill for 3-4 minutes on each side.
- Let them cool for 2-3 minutes before serving with freshly chopped cilantro and lime wedges if desired.
