Mediterranean Diet Friendly 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 lemon. The marinade is built on extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, oregano, cumin, and a little heat from crushed red pepper flakes, which is exactly the kind of bold, herb-forward flavor profile that makes this style of eating so satisfying. One thing to keep in mind: the lemon juice in the marinade is doing real work here, so the 15–20 minute window is intentional — it keeps the shrimp tender rather than turning them rubbery before they even hit the grill. Threading the skewers with alternating tomatoes and olives isn't just pretty; those blistered tomatoes and warm, softened olives become their own little sauce as everything cooks together. The whole thing comes together fast over medium-high heat, just two to three minutes per side until the shrimp are opaque and the tails curl into that perfect pink. It's a genuinely crowd-pleasing dish that feels special without requiring much effort, and it checks every box — lean protein, healthy fats, fresh produce, and no heavy sauces or processed ingredients in sight.
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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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