Sesame Free Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers
Bright, herby, 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 is built from fresh basil, garlic, lemon juice, and zest, with a subtle warmth from turmeric and ginger that makes it genuinely interesting without being fussy. Because the sauce comes together in a blender with just olive oil and fresh ingredients, there's no reaching for a jarred condiment that might sneak in sesame oil or tahini — a surprisingly common issue with store-bought pesto and marinades. Shrimp get tossed in a few spoonfuls of that pesto before hitting the grill, and the reserved sauce gets spooned generously over the top right before serving, so every bite is layered with flavor. The grill does its job fast — just a couple of minutes per side until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and perfectly charred at the edges. A squeeze of lemon at the end ties everything together and keeps it feeling fresh and light. This one is equally at home at a backyard cookout or a quick weeknight dinner when you want something that looks impressive without a lot of effort.
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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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