Red Meat Allergy Friendly Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
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 homemade basil pesto comes together in a blender with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, and a subtle warmth from turmeric and ginger — it's punchy, vibrant, and doubles as both a marinade and a finishing sauce. Shrimp is a naturally great protein choice when you're navigating a red meat allergy, since there's no beef, lamb, or pork anywhere in sight, and every ingredient here is straightforward and easy to verify. The shrimp get tossed in a few tablespoons of that gorgeous green pesto before hitting a hot grill, picking up smoky char in just a few minutes per side. Spooning the reserved pesto over the finished skewers right before serving is the move that takes this from weeknight dinner to something genuinely impressive. A squeeze of fresh lemon at the table ties everything together and keeps the flavors clean and bright. This one is equally at home at a backyard cookout or a quick Tuesday night dinner.
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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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