Brazil Nut Free Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
Bright, herby, and kissed with citrus, these grilled shrimp skewers are the kind of dish that disappears from the platter before you even sit down. The homemade pesto is built from fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, zest, and a touch of turmeric and ginger — no pine nuts, no cashews, no tree nuts of any kind — so it's naturally free from the cross-contamination concerns that come with store-bought versions. Shrimp get tossed in a few spoonfuls of that vibrant green sauce before hitting the grill, and the reserved pesto gets spooned right back over the top at the end for a double hit of flavor. Two to three minutes per side over medium-high heat is all it takes to get perfectly opaque, pink-edged shrimp with a little char on the outside. The whole thing comes together with clean, whole ingredients and zero fuss, making it just as weeknight-friendly as it is impressive for a backyard cookout. Squeeze a lemon wedge over the platter and scatter a few fresh basil leaves on top, and you've got a dish that looks like it took way more effort than it did.
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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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