Carrageenan Free Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
Bright, garlicky, 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 basil pesto is blended fresh from whole ingredients — basil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, turmeric, and ginger — so you know exactly what's in every bite. That matters more than it might seem, because many store-bought pestos, marinades, and even processed seafood products sneak in additives like carrageenan as a thickener or stabilizer. Keeping everything from scratch here sidesteps that concern entirely without any extra effort. The shrimp get tossed in a portion of the pesto before hitting the grill, and the rest is spooned generously over the top right before serving, so the flavor is layered and bold. A few minutes per side over medium-high heat is all it takes to get that perfect pink, slightly charred edge. Squeeze a lemon wedge over the finished skewers and you've got a stunning, clean-ingredient meal that's as weeknight-easy as it is dinner-party impressive.
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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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