Lactose Free Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers

Total time50 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time10 min

4.9

(4)

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 star is a dairy-free pesto blended from fresh basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a warm hint of turmeric and ginger — no parmesan, no cheese of any kind, just bold, herbaceous flavor that clings beautifully to every shrimp. Traditional pesto can be a minefield for anyone avoiding dairy, but this version skips the cheese entirely without sacrificing any of the richness you'd expect, thanks to a generous pour of extra-virgin olive oil. The shrimp get a quick toss in olive oil and a few tablespoons of that pesto before hitting a hot grill, cooking to juicy, pink perfection in just a few minutes per side. Once they're off the heat, the reserved pesto gets spooned right over the top so the flavor is layered and lively all the way through. Squeeze a little extra lemon over the platter and you've got a stunning, fuss-free meal that feels like summer on a stick.

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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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