These BBQ shrimp skewers are the kind of recipe that belongs in the regular summer rotation. The prep takes about 20 minutes, the grill does the rest, and each skewer comes off the heat juicy, slightly charred, and coated in a sticky, savory BBQ glaze. With 23 grams of protein and only 134 calories per serving, they fit cleanly into any nutrition plan without requiring any adjustments around the rest of your day.
Use a good homemade BBQ sauce if you have one on hand, or a quality store-bought version to keep things simple. Either way, the shrimp do most of the work. Serve them as a main alongside grilled vegetables and rice, or as a lighter starter at your next cookout. However you plate them, they will not be on the table long.
Nutrition
134 Calories | 2g Fat | 6g Carbohydrates | 23g Protein
Per Serving
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb jumbo raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 Tbsp BBQ sauce (homemade Kansas City style or store-bought)
- 8 long wooden skewers
Directions
- Soak the skewers. Place the wooden skewers in a shallow dish of water and soak for at least 20 minutes before grilling. This prevents them from burning on the grill. Metal skewers can be used as a time-saving alternative.
- Marinate the shrimp. In a medium bowl, combine the peeled and deveined shrimp with the crushed garlic and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Let sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate for up to overnight for more flavor.
- Thread the skewers. Thread the marinated shrimp onto the soaked skewers, distributing evenly across all 8 skewers.
- Preheat the grill. Heat a clean grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Grill the shrimp. Add the skewers to the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes total, flipping once halfway through, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through. During the final minute of cooking, brush both sides generously with BBQ sauce.
- Serve immediately. Remove from the grill and serve right away. Guacamole, extra BBQ sauce, or a simple green salad work well alongside.
Pro-Tips
- Watch the shrimp closely and pull them the moment they turn opaque. Shrimp cook fast, and overcooking is the most common reason they come out chewy and rubbery. As soon as the flesh is pink and opaque all the way through with no gray remaining, they are done. Grill temperature and shrimp size both affect timing, so use visual cues rather than relying strictly on the clock.
- Add the BBQ sauce in the last minute only. BBQ sauce contains sugar that burns quickly when heated directly. Brushing it on too early leads to a charred, bitter coating rather than the sticky, caramelized glaze you are going for. One minute at the end is all it needs to set and develop that glossy finish.
- Soak wooden skewers for at least 20 minutes. Dry wooden skewers ignite quickly over a hot grill and can start smoking or burning before the shrimp are done. A full soak in water gives you a buffer. If you grill shrimp regularly, a set of stainless steel skewers is a practical investment that eliminates this step entirely.
- Let the shrimp marinate overnight for the best flavor. Even just garlic, salt, and pepper have more time to penetrate the shrimp when they sit overnight in the fridge. The difference between a 15-minute marinade and an overnight one is noticeable, especially in a recipe this simple, where the marinade does most of the seasoning work.
- Double or triple the batch easily for a crowd. This recipe scales up without any adjustments needed. Keep extra skewers in a low oven at 200°F while the remaining batches finish on the grill. They hold well for about 10 minutes without losing quality, which makes this a practical option for feeding a larger group.
Taking control of your nutrition starts with practical skills. This recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a blueprint for using what you have to create something nourishing and delicious. By incorporating simple, sustainable habits like this into your routine, you can build lasting skills that support your goals and simplify your busy life.
