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Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers

(Irresistibly delicious) Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers | NatashasKitchen.com

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If you haven’t fired up your grill yet, this grilled Shrimp Skewers recipe is the perfect excuse to start. Shrimp taste best on the barbie; somethin’ about that lightly charred smokiness makes this shrimpaholic very happy.

This grilled shrimp recipe is easy with minimal prep and the cooking time is about 5 minutes. There’s only one word to describe how good the marinade is: “Wowza.” Brushing on extra marinade at the end ensures awesome flavor with every bite. I just wish we had leftovers!

My husband’s cousin, Alex shared this recipe with us and I’m so glad he did! Alex, we had delicious shrimp on the menu for two days thanks to you ;).

(Irresistibly delicious) Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers | NatashasKitchen.com

Ingredients for Grilled Shrimp Skewers:

1/2 cup (8 Tbsp) unsalted butter
4 cloves of garlic, pressed or minced
1 Tbsp cajun spice (provides light heat; it’s not too spicy)
1/2 tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
1 Tbsp lemon juice (from 1/2 medium lemon)
2 lbs uncooked large shrimp (1 lb = 21-25 count), peeled and deveined *
12 medium wooden skewers
*Note: To save time, you can buy tail-on shrimp that are already peeled and deveined. We purchased shrimp at Costco

Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers

How to Make Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers:

1. Soak wooden skewers in water 30 min (reduces burning of the sticks). Preheat Grill to med/high (400˚F).

2. Combine all marinade ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a simmer then remove from heat. Pour half of the mixture into a ramekin and leave remaining marinade in pan (You’ll brush on half now and brush on remaining marinade after shrimp are grilled).

Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers-8

3. Skewer 4 shrimp on each damp skewer without leaving spaces. Lay skewers flat on a rimmed Cookie Sheet. Brush one side of the skewered shrimp with sauce and refrigerate for 2 min until butter firms up. Flip shrimp over, brush second side and refrigerate 2 min until butter firms up.

Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers-9

4. Place skewers on the barbie and grill shrimp with the lid on about 2 minutes per side or just until cooked through and no longer transparent. Remove shrimp from grill. Don’t overcook or they will be rubbery. Brush on reserved sauce and serve.

Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers-10

(Irresistibly delicious) Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers | NatashasKitchen.com

Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers

5 from 62 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
(Irresistibly delicious) Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers | NatashasKitchen.com
Putting shrimp on the grill provides a lightly charred smokiness that makes it irresistible. This grilled shrimp recipe is easy to prep and quick to cook. Brushing on extra marinade at the end ensures great flavor in every bite.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 12 skewers (serves 4-6)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, or 8 Tbsp
  • 4 cloves of garlic, pressed or minced
  • 1 Tbsp cajun spice, provides light heat; it's not too spicy
  • 1/2 tsp salt, omit if using salted butter
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice, from 1/2 medium lemon
  • 2 lbs uncooked large shrimp, (21-25 count*), peeled and deveined
  • 12 medium wooden skewers

Instructions

  • Soak wooden skewers in water 30 min (reduces burning of the sticks). Preheat Grill to med/high (400˚F).
  • Combine all marinade ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a simmer then remove from heat. Pour half of the mixture into a ramekin and leave remaining marinade in pan (You'll brush on half now and brush on remaining marinade after shrimp are grilled).
  • Skewer 4 shrimp on each damp skewer without leaving spaces. Lay skewers flat on a rimmed cookie sheet. Brush one side of the skewered shrimp with sauce and refrigerate for 2 min until butter firms up. Flip shrimp over, brush second side and refrigerate 2 min until butter firms up.
  • Place skewers on the barbie and grill shrimp with the lid on about 2 minutes per side or just until cooked through and no longer transparent. Remove shrimp from grill. Don't overcook or they will be rubbery. Brush on reserved sauce and serve.

Notes

To save time, you can buy tail-on shrimp that are already peeled and deveined. We purchased shrimp at Costco.
*When buying large shrimp, the bag should say '21-25 count' which indicates how many shrimp are in 1 lb. 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
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♥ FAVORITE THINGS ♥

Shown in this post: (no one paid us to write this; just affiliate links for stuff we love):
* The glass bowls by pyrex are perfect for prepping & serving.
* 10″ Bamboo skewers from Sur la table
* Large Cookie Sheets have a variety of uses; not just cookies!
* This Staub baker is useful for baking and gorgeous for serving
Visit our Shop to see all the tools we use and love. 
(Irresistibly delicious) Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp Skewers | NatashasKitchen.com

Have you fired up your grill this year? What’s your favorite thing to grill?

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

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5 from 62 votes (24 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Debra Lee
    October 12, 2024

    Such an incredibly good and easy recipe! We had to go to several stores to find the McCormick spice but it was definitely worth it. I ran out of the sauce so didn’t have any left to baste the cooked shrimp but it didn’t need it anyway.

    Reply

  • Tanya
    July 3, 2024

    Also 12 skewers with 4 shrimps on each that’s 48 shrimp, recipe says 2 lb 21-25.
    Do I double the sauce to get 12 skewers?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      July 4, 2024

      Hi Tanya, sorry that wasn’t super clear. When buying large shrimp, the bag should say, large 21-25 count shrimp which indicates the size of the shrimp and that you will have about 21-25 count shrimp per pound. So, 2 pounds would have double that amount.

      Reply

  • Tanya
    July 3, 2024

    Many comments say don’t marinade for too long, how long is too long?
    I’m making this for a party at someone’s house. Hoping I can marinade for at least an hour.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 3, 2024

      I wouldn’t marinade them for too long, 30 minutes should be alright.

      Reply

  • Doug
    June 22, 2024

    I just made this today. We love shrimp, so I gave it a try. I prepared as directed with a tsp. each of Old Bay and Lemon Pepper. We loved it! It’s too hot here, so I made it outside on the grill. 5 min each side and served. I’m glad I found you here, will try many of your recepies.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 22, 2024

      Hi Doug! Thank you so much for sharing. I hope you find many more recipes to enjoy.

      Reply

  • Liz
    February 18, 2024

    I made these exactly like the recipe said, but I cooked them on my Blackstone griddle. They were fantastic and so, so easy! When the shrimp skewers were done, I toasted a few bread slices in the butter sauce remaining on the griddle, and served them on the side. Absolutely delicious!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 18, 2024

      So glad to hear that you loved this recipe! Thanks for sharing that with us, Liz.

      Reply

  • Rita
    May 28, 2023

    Fantastic recipe! They were delicious and can’t wait to make them again. Thanks!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 28, 2023

      Hi Rita! Thank you for trying the recipe. I’m glad you loved it.

      Reply

  • Ann Roderick
    May 26, 2023

    Hello Natasha,
    Question, can you make this recipe with an air fryer? I’m new with the air fryer. Do you have recipes for air fryer? I love your recipes and I do make it. Hubby loves it too.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 26, 2023

      Hi Ann! I have not tested this with an air fryer to advise. I’m sure it can be done but you’d need to experiment with it.
      You can find all my air fryer recipes at the top of the page, click on “recipes” and then you can search by method- air fryer. I hope that helps.

      Reply

  • Diane
    May 25, 2023

    I’ve made the grilled shrimp with butter, garlic, lemon and dill. yummy

    Reply

  • Doug A.
    September 22, 2022

    Have made these several times for my wife and myself as well as for friends. Everybody thinks these are just the best.
    My main comment is buy wild caught shrimp instead of the stuff that comes from contaminated ponds in S.E. Asia. Wild caught are cleaner and better tasting.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 22, 2022

      I’m so glad you all enjoyed this recipe, Doug! Thank you so much for sharing that with me!

      Reply

  • Jim
    May 29, 2022

    What kind of Cajun seasoning does everybody use I can’t remember the name of the one I used on other dishes but it was way too salty would love to try these with a good Cajun seasoning that wasn’t too salty thanks

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 29, 2022

      I used Mccormick, the picture is in the recipe too.

      Reply

  • Kasey Grant
    May 16, 2022

    This is our family favorite recipe for shrimp! I have also tweaked it alittle and just make skillet shrimp as well! Delicious!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 16, 2022

      That is the best when the family loves what we parents make. That’s so great!

      Reply

  • Natalia
    January 14, 2022

    Hi Natasha!
    Is there a way to make this in the oven? It’s cold & wet here right now and no one wants to grill outside. Still would like to make this for company.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 14, 2022

      Hi Natalia, we have a baked shrimp recipe here. I think you could use this same recipe and just follow the baking instructions here.

      Reply

  • Rae
    August 12, 2021

    Made this last night for a dinner with my mother-in-law and her husband and everyone loved it! This is absolutely delicious and so easy. Definitely a make again recipe.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 12, 2021

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Rae!

      Reply

  • Natasha Lamoury
    June 29, 2021

    Can you just marinate them for a few hours in the sauce instead of skewering it and brushing them on?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 29, 2021

      I think that will work too. If you try that, please share with us how it goes.

      Reply

    • Patricia
      May 29, 2022

      I wouldn’t marinate them for too long, as the citrus in the marinade will start cooking the shrimp, as in ceviche.

      Reply

  • Randi Zuber
    May 16, 2021

    Natasha, this looks great! Could you please clarify the amount of unsalted butter. 8 T is one stick. 1/2 cup is 2 sticks. Thank yy

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 16, 2021

      Hi Randi, I usually use this Ingredient Weight Chart as a guide.

      Reply

      • Caroline
        June 26, 2021

        1/2 cup is 8 tbsp = 1 stick

        Reply

    • Nancy M Long
      June 26, 2021

      1/2 cup is one stick of butter

      Reply

      • Natasha
        June 27, 2021

        That is correct. The way the recipe card was formatted, it looks a little confusing. It’s 1 stick or 8 Tbsp of butter.

        Reply

  • Cierra
    October 30, 2020

    I don’t think I’ve EVER left a review on a recipe of any kind (despite loving maaaany!) but I had to with this one because it’s the first shrimp recipe I’ve tried and fell ABSOLUTELY in love with!!

    This is my first recipe of yours I’ve tried and I can’t wait to try more!

    That butter sauce is not only AH-MAZING, but your technique of letting it solidify on the shrimp is a game changer to help get the flavors to stick!

    So glad I’ve discovered this shrimp recipe, and you!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 30, 2020

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!

      Reply

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