Sesame Free Turmeric-Ginger Shrimp & Tomato Skewers
These vibrant skewers are everything a summer grill night should be — bold, bright, and packed with flavor from a marinade built on fresh ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin, and a hit of cayenne. The lemon juice ties it all together and keeps the shrimp tender, while the cherry tomatoes blister and burst on the grill for little pops of sweetness between each bite. Sesame oil and tahini have a way of sneaking into marinades and sauces at restaurants and in store-bought blends, so making this one from scratch means you stay completely in control of every ingredient. The spice combination here is genuinely exciting — earthy turmeric, warming cumin, and a gentle heat from cayenne give the shrimp a gorgeous golden color and a flavor that tastes far more complex than the prep time deserves. Alternating shrimp with tomatoes on each skewer isn't just pretty; it helps regulate the heat so nothing overcooks before everything else is ready. A quick two-to-three minutes per side is all it takes for perfectly opaque, pink-edged shrimp that curl into that ideal loose C-shape. Finish with a scatter of fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon, and you've got a dish that looks like it came off a restaurant grill.
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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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