Walnut Free Basil-Lemon Shrimp Skewers

Total time50 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time10 min

4.9

(4)

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 here skips the pine nuts and walnuts entirely, relying instead on fresh basil, garlic, and a generous pour of extra-virgin olive oil to build that rich, vibrant sauce — no tree nut concerns, no label-reading required. A touch of turmeric and ginger gives the pesto a subtle warmth that makes it feel a little more interesting than your average herb sauce. The shrimp get tossed in a few spoonfuls before hitting the grill, and the rest is reserved for a generous drizzle right before serving, so every bite is coated in that bright green goodness. Grilling takes just a few minutes per side, making this a genuinely fast weeknight option that still feels impressive enough for a backyard gathering. Lemon wedges on the side let everyone dial up the citrus to their liking, and a few extra basil leaves scattered over the top make the whole platter look like something out of a food magazine.

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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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