Paraben Free Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
These skewers are everything a warm-weather dinner should be — bright, garlicky, and just a little smoky from the grill. The homemade basil pesto is the real star here, blended with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, turmeric, and ginger for a sauce that's layered and vibrant without relying on any preservatives or synthetic additives. That matters more than people realize, since many store-bought marinades and condiments quietly contain parabens or other chemical preservatives that can be hard to spot on a label. Making the pesto from scratch with whole, recognizable ingredients means you stay in full control of what goes on your plate. The shrimp get a quick toss in olive oil and a few spoonfuls of that pesto before hitting a hot grill, where they cook in just a few minutes per side until perfectly pink and opaque. A generous drizzle of the reserved pesto over the finished skewers ties everything together with a punch of herby, citrusy flavor. It's the kind of dish that looks impressive at a cookout but comes together with minimal fuss and maximum peace of mind.
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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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