High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
Bright, herby, and kissed with citrus, these grilled shrimp skewers are the kind of dish that looks impressive but comes together with surprisingly little effort. The homemade basil pesto is the real star — blended from fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, zest, and a touch of turmeric and ginger, it delivers layers of flavor that no bottled sauce could match. That matters because store-bought marinades and condiments are notorious hiding spots for high fructose corn syrup, even in savory products you'd never suspect. Here, every single ingredient is whole and recognizable, so you know exactly what's going on the grill. The shrimp get tossed in a few tablespoons of that vibrant pesto before cooking, then the rest is spooned generously over the top right before serving — double the flavor, zero compromise. A squeeze of fresh lemon at the table ties everything together and makes the whole platter feel like something you'd order at a waterfront restaurant. Clean ingredients, bold results, and nothing on this list you'd need to second-guess.
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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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