Chicken Free Mediterranean Shrimp Skewers with Tomatoes and Olives
These skewers are everything you want from a warm-weather meal — smoky, garlicky shrimp threaded with juicy cherry tomatoes and briny Kalamata olives, all kissed by the grill and finished with a squeeze of fresh lemon. The marinade does the heavy lifting here, combining olive oil, garlic, oregano, cumin, and a little heat from crushed red pepper flakes into something that smells incredible the moment it hits a hot grill. Because shrimp cook in just a few minutes per side, this is one of those recipes that feels impressive without demanding much of your evening. The cherry tomatoes blister and soften slightly on the skewer, while the olives add a salty, Mediterranean depth that makes every bite feel cohesive and intentional. There's no poultry anywhere in this dish — just clean, simple seafood and pantry staples that come together beautifully. A scatter of fresh flat-leaf parsley at the end brightens the whole platter and makes it look like something you'd order at a seaside restaurant. Serve straight off the grill with lemon wedges and good company.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the marinade and skewers
- 1 lb large shrimp (16–20 count), peeled and deveined, tails on
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes so they don't char on the grill.
- 2
In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp of the olive oil, the garlic, oregano, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Add the shrimp and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate at room temperature for 15–20 minutes — no longer, as the lemon juice will begin to firm the shrimp.
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