Nightshade Free Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
Bright, garlicky, and kissed with citrus, these shrimp skewers are the kind of dish that looks impressive but comes together with minimal effort. The star is a blender pesto built from fresh basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and a warm hint of turmeric and ginger — no tomatoes, peppers, or any other nightshade in sight. That matters more than it might seem, since so many grilled shrimp recipes lean on chili-spiked marinades or paprika-heavy rubs that are completely off the table for anyone avoiding that plant family. Here, the flavor punch comes entirely from herbs, citrus, and good olive oil, and it absolutely delivers. The shrimp get tossed in a few tablespoons of the pesto before hitting the grill, and the rest is reserved to spoon generously over the top right before serving — double the flavor payoff with zero extra work. A couple of minutes per side over high heat is all it takes to get that gorgeous pink color and perfectly opaque interior. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a few fresh basil leaves, and you have a plate that's as beautiful as it is satisfying.
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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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