Nitrate & Nitrite Free Turmeric-Ginger Shrimp & Tomato Skewers
Shrimp skewers are one of those dishes that look impressive but come together with almost no effort, and this golden, spice-kissed version is no exception. The marinade leans hard on fresh ginger, garlic, turmeric, and cumin — bold, layered flavors that have absolutely nothing to do with the cured meats and processed foods where nitrates and nitrites typically hide. Every single ingredient here is whole and clean, from the cherry tomatoes that blister and burst on the grill to the bright squeeze of lemon juice that ties it all together. Shrimp can sometimes feel like a risky protein when you're navigating processed or pre-seasoned options at the store, but starting with plain, peeled shrimp and building your own marinade from scratch puts you in complete control. The quick 20-to-30-minute marinade is just long enough for the spices to penetrate without the lemon juice breaking down the texture — a small but smart detail that makes a real difference. Whether you go the grill route or slide these under the broiler, the result is smoky, juicy skewers with blistered tomatoes and a gorgeous turmeric-orange color that makes the whole platter pop. Finish with fresh parsley and a few lemon wedges and you've got a weeknight dinner that feels like it belongs at a summer cookout.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the skewers
- 1 lb large shrimp (16/20 count), peeled and deveined, tails on
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
For the marinade
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
If using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes so they don't scorch on the grill or under the broiler.
- 2
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, turmeric, cumin, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice until combined into a smooth marinade.
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