Artificial Flavors Free Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
Fresh basil, bright lemon, and a handful of real pantry staples are all it takes to build layers of flavor here — no flavor packets, no bottled marinades, nothing synthetic in sight. The homemade pesto comes together in a blender in under a minute, blending fragrant basil with garlic, lemon juice, zest, olive oil, and a subtle warmth from turmeric and ginger. It doubles as both a marinade and a finishing sauce, which means every bite of shrimp is coated in something genuinely vibrant rather than artificially enhanced. Shrimp can be a surprisingly tricky protein when it comes to pre-seasoned or pre-marinated store options, where artificial flavoring often sneaks in unannounced — making from-scratch skewers like these a smart and satisfying workaround. The grill does the heavy lifting in just a few minutes per side, giving you lightly charred, perfectly opaque shrimp with that irresistible smoky edge. Finished with a generous spoonful of reserved pesto and a squeeze of lemon, this is the kind of dish that looks impressive on a platter but asks very little of the cook.
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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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