Rice Free 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 pesto comes together in a blender with fresh basil, lemon juice, zest, and a subtle warmth from turmeric and ginger — it's punchy, herbaceous, and genuinely better than anything from a jar. Shrimp get tossed in a few spoonfuls of that pesto before hitting the grill, then the rest is spooned generously over the top right before serving, so every bite is loaded with flavor. The whole thing is naturally built around fresh produce, seafood, and good olive oil, which means there's no grain-based filler or starchy side hiding in the recipe — it's just clean, vibrant ingredients doing the work. Grilling over medium-high heat for just a few minutes per side keeps the shrimp tender and juicy rather than rubbery, so timing matters and the recipe walks you through it clearly. Serve with lemon wedges and a few extra basil leaves for a presentation that looks far more impressive than the effort required.
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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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