Fire up the grill, get the patio prepped, 'cause this honey lime shrimp skewers recipe is your new go to easy dinner perfect for simple, summer nights.
Think: juicy, flavorful shrimp drenched in a homemade honey and lime marinade, skewered and set on the grill for those luscious char marks. Shrimp on the barbie (yes I said it) have never looked this good.
Shrimp cooks ridiculously fast on the grill (and in general), which makes it ideal for those nights when you want to eat quick yet also nutritious and delicious.
Thread onto skewers, throw on the grill, and that's all she wrote. It's sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of charred.
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Recipe at a Glance:
- Cook Level - Making anything on the grill can take a little bit of time to figure out the heat settings and setting the grill up in general, but once you get the gist of it, it's easy peasy.
- Cook Time - Shrimp cook very quickly (I'm talking 3ish minutes per side), and while the shrimp marinade for an extended period of time, the active cooking time shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes, including adding the shrimp to the skewers themselves.
- Taste - Sweet, tangy, zesty (thanks to all that bright lime flavor), and juicy succulent shrimp.
- Best Served With - These shrimp are great with salads like a shaved Brussels sprout salad, a spring greens mix with blueberries and radishes, or a crunchy cabbage salad with homemade shallot vinaigrette.
Tips and Key Reminders
- Do not overcook the shrimp! In my first test of this, I left the shrimp on the grill for far too long (I'm talking 5-6 minutes per side, and then flipped AGAIN) and the shrimp became incredible overcooked and chewy. Once the shrimp become fully opaque (not see through; very pink), take them off the grill.
- Baste as the shrimp cook. Adding the flavor directly to the grill as the shrimp cook is a great way to keep the shrimp flavorful and juicy. Use a basting brush to dip into the marinade and then brush it all over the shrimp on the grill. Trust me, it helps give a ton of flavor and great char.
- Let the shrimp marinade (for as long as possible). You don't want to have the shrimp sitting for days (obviously, because then they'll go rancid), but you can let the shrimp sit overnight or for at least 4 hours. This helps the shrimp absorb the honey lime marinade better.
The Ingredients
- Shrimp - I prefer to use the 26/30 count shrimp. This number typically means this is the amount of shrimp that come in a pound. You could also use larger shrimp, but I find these are perfect and can feed a lot of people. I also prefer to have the tail on for added flavor.
- Honey - Honey gives these shrimp a tangy, sweet flavor without being too overpowering. It also gives the entire dish a savory but sweet texture.
- Lime - This wouldn't be honey lime shrimp skewers without this. I love the acidity that comes with lime, and the zest just adds another layer of flavor.
- Garlic - Garlic helps to balance out the acidity and sweetness of the dish. We use minced garlic for this recipe.
- Olive Oil - You can also use avocado oil or canola oil for this. The oil helps to coat the shrimp and give more moisture and juicy texture.
- Brown Sugar - A little brown sugar goes a long way in the marinade. Not only does it aid in the sweet flavor, but as the shrimp cook, they caramelize a little, adding a sweet crunch and snap as you bite into them.
- Spices - In one of my tests of this, I opted not to use any spices, but then decided the paprika would add some color. I love using a trio of salt, pepper, and paprika for these honey lime shrimp skewers.
- Water - I add in just a half cup of water to thin out the marinade a little and add more liquid to the shrimp marinade.
Be sure to check out the recipe card at the end of this post for more information about quantities, measurements, and specific cooking instructions.
Step by Step Process Photos
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, pour in the honey, lime juice, a pinch of lime zest, minced garlic, olive oil, brown sugar, and water. Whisk together until fully combined.
Step 2: Rinse and pat dry the shrimp, then add directly to the bowl of marinade.
Step 3: Once the shrimp are added to the marinade, sprinkle the spices on top, the toss the shrimp to combine with the spices and the marinade. Close the lid and let the shrimp sit in the fridge for at least 4 or hours or overnight.
Step 4: After the shrimp marinades, add six shrimp to each skewer. Repeat until all shrimp are on a skewer and set on a serving platter.
Step 5: Fire up the grill to a medium high heat. Spray with nonstick spray. Once the grill is heated, add the skewered shrimp to the grill.
Step 6: Cook the shrimp on both sides 3 minutes or until the shrimp turn completely pink and opaque. Promptly remove the shrimp, add to a serving platter, and finish off with a final squeeze of lime juice and an additional pinch of lime zest.
Simple Swaps and Substitutions
- If you really wanna mix things up, you can skewer some shrimp, chicken, and even possibly some salmon for a mixed grill.
- If you would prefer to use lemon instead of lime, that works here too.
- Skip the grill and put the shrimp in a pan and stir fry instead of grilling and adding to a skewer.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can add any leftover shrimp to an airtight container and place in the fridge for up to two days. If you want to freeze this, you can! Add to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
If you want to make the marinade a little spicy, throw in some chili powder or red pepper flakes.
I have done both methods, and while I do find skewering the shrimp makes the cooking a lot easier, you could also use a grill pan or throw them directly on the grill. Just know that the shrimp run the risk of falling through the grates if directly on the grill, so if you don't want to use skewers, I would suggest using a grill pan.
Hungry for more?
Check out these other incredibly simple recipes, grilled or not!
Did you love this recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you're just as in love with this recipe as I am, please share a comment below and rate it! Better yet, share this recipe with family and friends!! Thank you!
Honey Lime Shrimp Skewers
Equipment
- grill
- Grill Skewers
- large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb Shrimp
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- ½ cup Honey
- ¼ cup Light Brown Sugar
- ½ cup Water
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 tablespoon Lime Juice
- 1 tablespoon Lime Zest
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, pour in the honey, lime juice, a pinch of lime zest, minced garlic, olive oil, brown sugar, and water. Whisk together until fully combined.
- Rinse and pat dry the shrimp, then add directly to the bowl of marinade.
- Once the shrimp are added to the marinade, sprinkle the spices on top, the toss the shrimp to combine with the spices and the marinade. Close the lid and let the shrimp sit in the fridge for at least 4 or hours or overnight.
- After the shrimp marinades, add six shrimp to each skewer. Repeat until all shrimp are on a skewer and set on a serving platter.
- Fire up the grill to a medium high heat. Spray with nonstick spray. Once the grill is heated, add the skewered shrimp to the grill.
- Cook the shrimp on both sides 3 minutes or until the shrimp turn completely pink and opaque. Promptly remove the shrimp, add to a serving platter, and finish off with a final squeeze of lime juice and an additional pinch of lime zest.
Dan J says
The perfect grilled shrimp. The end. Enough said. If you haven’t tried it you need to.