Capsaicin Free Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
Bright, herby, and kissed with citrus, these shrimp skewers are the kind of dish that looks impressive at a cookout but comes together with surprisingly little effort. The star of the show is a blender pesto built from fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, a whisper of turmeric, and a touch of ginger — bold flavors that have absolutely nothing to do with heat or spice. For anyone navigating a capsaicin sensitivity, grilled seafood can feel like a minefield of hidden chili powders and spicy marinades, but every single ingredient here is clean and easy to verify. The shrimp get a quick toss in olive oil and a few spoonfuls of that pesto before hitting the grill, then the reserved sauce gets spooned right back over the top 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 just the right amount of char. A squeeze of lemon and a few fresh basil leaves at the end keep everything tasting light and summery. This one earns a permanent spot in the warm-weather rotation.
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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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