Paleo Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers

Total time50 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time10 min

4.9

(4)

These skewers are the kind of dish that looks impressive enough for a dinner party but comes together with minimal effort and a short ingredient list. The star is a vibrant, dairy-free pesto built from fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a touch of turmeric and ginger — no cheese, no pine nuts, just bold, clean flavor that happens to align perfectly with grain-free and legume-free eating. Traditional pesto often relies on parmesan and sometimes cashews, so this blender version is a genuinely satisfying workaround that doesn't feel like a compromise. Large shrimp get tossed in olive oil and a few spoonfuls of that pesto before hitting a hot grill, picking up a little char and a lot of brightness in just a few minutes per side. The reserved pesto gets spooned generously over the finished skewers, so every bite is layered with herby, citrusy goodness. Squeeze a lemon wedge over the top and you have a light, protein-packed meal that tastes like summer without a single ingredient you'd need to second-guess.

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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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