Low Sugar Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
Bright, herby, and built entirely from whole ingredients, these grilled shrimp skewers are the kind of dish that feels indulgent without a single compromise. The star is a blender pesto made from packed fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, zest, and a subtle warmth from turmeric and ginger — no sweeteners, no fillers, just clean and vibrant flavor. Shrimp get tossed in a few spoonfuls of that pesto before hitting the grill, then the reserved sauce gets spooned generously over the top right before serving, so every bite is layered and bright. For anyone avoiding added sugar, this recipe is genuinely effortless to trust — every ingredient is exactly what it says it is, and there's nothing hiding in a bottled marinade or pre-made sauce. The grill does its job fast, giving the shrimp those slightly charred edges and a juicy, snappy interior in just a few minutes per side. A squeeze of fresh lemon at the end ties everything together and makes the whole platter feel like something you'd order at a coastal restaurant. It's the kind of recipe you'll come back to all season long.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ⅛ tsp ground ginger
For the skewers
- 1 ½ lb large shrimp (21–25 count), peeled and deveined, tails on
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
For serving
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
- fresh basil leaves, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for at least 20 minutes so they don't char on the grill.
- 2
Combine the basil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, turmeric, and ginger in a blender or food processor. Pulse several times until the herbs are roughly broken down. With the motor running, stream in the 1/2 cup olive oil and blend until the pesto is smooth and bright green, about 30 seconds. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
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