Jerk Shrimp Skewers
Jerk Shrimp Skewers are tender and spicy, made with fresh shrimp marinated in flavorful Jamaican jerk seasoning, then grilled until they’re crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!
Grilling season is coming to an end, and we’re finishing it out strong with my all-time favorite grilled shrimp recipe! If you’re loving this as much as we are, check out my Low Country Shrimp Boil, Oven Baked Coconut Shrimp, Blackened Shrimp Tacos, and Shrimp & Scallops in Creamy Marinara Sauce!
Jerk Shrimp Skewers
Jerk Shrimp Skewers are a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and just about everything you could ask for in a grilled shrimp skewers recipe. I like to use my favorite homemade jerk seasoning for this recipe, but you can use your favorite if you have one. Go as light or as heavy as you want in the seasoning, it’s all about personal preference!
Do you peel shrimp before grilling?
You don’t have to peel shrimp before grilling. In fact, leaving the shell on can actually help trap in the juices. But for this jerk shrimp recipe, I just want quick, easy, and for the seasoning to get on as much shrimp surface area as possible. And for that reason, I peel my shrimp before grilling.
Can you grill precooked shrimp?
Yes you can grill precooked shrimp. Marinate the shrimp as usual, then skewer and grill for 1-2 minutes on each side. You’re only reheating the shrimp, so you don’t need a lot of time on the grill. Be careful not to overcook, or the shrimp could turn out rubbery.
Can you marinate jerk shrimp too long?
For this marinade, I’m not too worried about marinating the shrimp for too long. If you’re going to use a different marinade that’s really heavy in the vinegar and citrus juice, then your shrimp could start to cook like ceviche.
Tips for How to Make Jerk Shrimp Skewers
- Add more or less cayenne pepper to your jerk shrimp skewers to make it more or less spicy.
- If you don’t have jerk seasoning, use a little bit of olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper to marinate the shrimp before grilling.
- Make shrimp skewers with pineapple by placing the shrimp between chunks of pineapple! You can also make grilled shrimp skewers with vegetables like zucchini, cherry tomatoes, pearl onions, or fingerling potatoes.
- Use blackened seasoning to make cajun grilled shrimp skewers!
- Try to find the biggest shrimp you can for this recipe. Remember that the shrimp will shrink a little bit as it cooks!
Jerk Shrimp Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp Jamaican jerk seasoning
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp soy sauce, gluten free
Equipment
- Grill
- Bamboo skewers
Instructions
- Submerge bamboo skewers in water and soak them for 30 minutes.
- While the skewers are soaking, in a large bowl whisk together jerk seasoning, olive oil, lime juice, and soy sauce. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until the skewers are done soaking.
- Take the skewers out and discard water. Place 4-5 shrimp on each skewer until all shrimp are skewered.
- Grill shrimp for 10 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp is no longer opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 145F.
Notes
Nutrition
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Though I am allergic to shellfish, I decide to use your recipe to make a day after Father’s Day dinner for a friend and her husband. I love it because it is a simple and easy to follow recipe. I however didn’t use skewers but cooked the shrimp on the stovetop. According to friends, it was delicious. All the ingredients together made for a tasty meal which they had over some rice. I am definitely going to make this again using skewers and on the grill. I will also try it with chicken or fish. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I’m glad your friends liked it! I do this with chicken too and the seasoning works really well. I haven’t tried on fish, but it would probably be great, too. The grill definitely adds some flavor, too.