When it comes to grilling, the passing of Memorial Day in the United States is like the ringing of the bell on Wall Street or the starter's pistol at the beginning of a 100 meter dash. Barbecue enthusiasts set to work in a kind of charcoal-induced frenzy as though someone yelled, "Ready...set...grill!" If you're one of those who lives for the sizzle of a thick steak, the quick sear of marinated shrimp or the flavorful char of onions and red peppers, be sure to check out Best of...Grilling and Summer Barbecue Recipes for a list of ideas that will keep you satisfied all summer long. If you are a seafood lover like me, this recipe is one to put on the top of the list.
The shrimp is briefly marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lime juice and curry powder. You really don't want to let it marinate for more than 10 minutes, otherwise the acid in the lime juice will start to "cook" the shrimp (as in ceviche). The same marinade is brushed over slices of sweet onions and red bell peppers, and later simmered and mixed with the chopped grilled onions and peppers and a touch of cilantro to form a tangy, spiced sauce for the smoky shrimp.
One word of warning: as with any shrimp recipe, you'll want to do everything in your red-checked apron, tong-wielding power to avoid overcooking the shrimp. Overcooked means rubbery, and rubbery shrimp will mean a stripping of all grill-master privileges. Hey, it's a tough crowd out there. Don't make them hostile by serving rubbery shrimp. With the grill heated to medium-high, the shrimp will take no more than one to two minutes per side to reach succulent perfection.
The recipe:
Heat the grill to medium-high heat.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, curry powder, salt and pepper. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
Thread the shrimp onto 4 skewers, running the shrimp through the body and tail of the shrimp. (If you are using bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to use so that they don't burn on the grill.)
Lightly brush the onions and peppers with some of the marinade. Pour the rest of the marinade into a small saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer for about 4 minutes.
Place the onions and peppers onto the grill and cook until lightly charred and tender, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and dice the onions and peppers. Mix them into the simmering marinade. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of cilantro.
Place the shrimp skewers on the grill and cook until the shrimp is just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Take care not to overcook the shrimp or they will become rubbery.
Remove the shrimp from the skewers, divide them between 4 plates, and spoon the onion sauce over the shrimp. Garnish with the remaining cilantro. Serve.
Other skewered shrimp recipes:
Cookin' Canuck's Grilled Shrimp & Sausage Kabobs with Apricot Chile Glaze
The Cilantropist's Chili Lime Marinated Shrimp
Coupon Clipping Cook's Grilled Shrimp with Browned Butter & Rice
Season with Spice's Grilled Shrimp Lemongrass Skewers
Grilled Curry Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Onions & Red Pepper Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 ½ teaspoons curry powder
- 2 large garlic cloves smashed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 24 large shrimp peeled, tails left intact
- 1 sweet onion Vidalia or Walla Walla, cut into three ½-inch slices
- 1 red bell pepper seeded & cut into quarters
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro divided
Instructions
- Heat the grill to medium-high heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, curry powder, salt and pepper. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Thread the shrimp onto 4 skewers, running the shrimp through the body and tail of the shrimp.
- Lightly brush the onions and peppers with some of the marinade. Pour the rest of the marinade into a small saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer for about 4 minutes.
- Place the onions and peppers onto the grill and cook until lightly charred and tender, about 3 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and dice the onions and peppers. Mix them into the simmering marinade. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of cilantro.
- Place the shrimp skewers on the grill and cook until the shrimp is just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Take care not to overcook the shrimp or they will become rubbery.
- Remove the shrimp from the skewers, divide them between 4 plates, and spoon the onion sauce over the shrimp. Garnish with the remaining cilantro. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Jeanette
Dara, love this simple light marinade - perfect for a summer BBQ.
Paula- bell'alimento
I could eat shrimp everyday. Love! Love! Love!
HeatherChristo
I love grilled shrimp and am completely obsessed with curry, so these look perfect for a light summer dinner or appetizers!
Jen @ The Scrumptious Pumpkin
So happy it's grilling season! These shrimp skewers look amazing. This is just my kind of recipe - sounds so delicious and healthy too! 🙂
Baker Street
Oh Dara! I LOVE grilled shrimp! No. Wait. I LOVE shrimp. Excellent way to prepare them. Great recipe and your pictures always have me drooling. 🙂
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
Dara, we LOVE grilled shrimp. I usually take the tails off and leave them on wooden skewers so the kids can eat off the stick. Less pretty, but more fun for them! This looks delightful!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen
I love grilled shrimp for summer meals, the smoky flavor the grill adds and it's ready in a flash.
Jamie | My Baking Addiction
I just bought shrimp this weekend and since we love curry powder, I now have a game plan!
Lydia
Hooray for the official start of grilling season! Love the quick and easy marinade on the shrimp.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I'm cheering right alongside you, Lydia!
Rachel
I love grilled shrimp! This recipe sounds delicious! But then again, anything with grilled onions sounds great to me!
Thanks for sharing!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I agree, Rachel. You just can't go wrong with grilled onions.
KalynsKitchen
This sounds like a great summer dinner!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Kalyn. I have a feeling we'll be making this over and over again this summer.
Minnie(@thelady8home)
Ahhh my fav "Shrimps". 😀
I am going to try this for sure.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Minnie. I love "shrimps", too. 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Grilled shrimp skewers are one of my favorites - love the curry!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Laura. The curry adds something a little different to these skewers.
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
love this. I love summer grilling! Hope you had a great weekend
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Alison. I adore summer grilling, too. I find myself standing by the grill most nights as soon as the weather turns warm.
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef
I bought prawns today to prepare them almost exactly this way. I love them!
I promise I won't overcook them so I can keep grilling all winter. 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Perfect! Enjoy your (perfectly cooked) shrimp.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
perfection! definitely need to try grilling some up soon.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Rachel! I hope you get a chance to try them.
Cassie
These flavors sound so perfect for shrimp. This meals just looks like summer to me!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Cassie! The weather was gorgeous as I stood by the grill to make these skewers. It certainly felt like summer to me.
Bev @ Bev Cooks
Favorite. Food. Ever.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Bev.
Lauren
'tong wielding power'....bahahaha! Love it!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you for humoring me, Lauren. 🙂
bellini
I have some spot prawns bought yesterday so can't wait to break in the grill.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
That's right - it's spot prawn season! How that makes me wish I was in B.C. right now.