Alpha Gal Friendly Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
These skewers are the kind of dish that looks impressive on a platter but comes together with surprisingly little effort. The star is a vibrant, dairy-free basil pesto blended with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and a subtle warmth from turmeric and ginger — no cheese, no pine nuts, just clean, bright flavor that coats every shrimp beautifully. For anyone navigating alpha-gal syndrome, shrimp is a fantastic protein to lean on, and this recipe keeps every single ingredient squarely in safe territory with no mammalian products hiding anywhere in the sauce or the marinade. The shrimp get a quick toss in olive oil and a few tablespoons of that pesto before hitting a hot grill, picking up a little char while staying juicy and tender inside. Reserved pesto gets spooned generously over the finished skewers so the flavor is bold and layered, not just a background note. A squeeze of lemon at the table ties everything together and makes the whole platter feel fresh and summery. This is the kind of recipe you'll want to keep in rotation 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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