5-Ingredient Garlic Shrimp Kabobs Recipe

Developed by Ksenia Prints of At the Immigrant's Table, this recipe for garlic shrimp kabobs proves that whipping together an appetizer that feels like it came off the plates of a high-end Mediterranean restaurant is much easier than you might think. Inspired by Prints' travels to Athens, this easy garlic shrimp kabobs recipe combines the flavors of high-quality olive oil, pungent garlic, fragrant parsley, and tangy lemon.

Grilling shrimp on skewers over high heat intensifies their sweetness, resulting in a delicious combination of smokey char and juicy tenderness. Of course, the grill would be the best way to achieve this Greek style of cooking. But what if you live in a typical one-bedroom apartment? In the absence of a charcoal barbeque, we have an easy method for getting the oven to act as a grill dupe. All you need are some skewers, an oven set to the broiler setting, and a baking sheet or two. 

Requiring only five ingredients and less than 20 minutes to prepare and cook, easy garlic shrimp kabobs are a perfect choice for a beginner who wants to prepare a quick and easy meal. Whether served as a main dish or appetizer, on skewers or off, the Mediterranean vibe is guaranteed with this easy shrimp recipe!

Mediterranean cuisine is known for its simple, clean flavors and high-quality ingredients, and this recipe is the perfect embodiment of this cooking ethos. The ingredients are simple and easy to find; you'll need 1 pound of large shrimp, skin on or off. For the marinade, grab olive oil, fresh parsley, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

To make the kabobs, first, you'll start by making a marinade that will infuse the shrimp with delicious flavor. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, fresh parsley, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. The olive oil will help to keep the shrimp moist and tender while adding a rich, buttery flavor which is balanced by the bright, acidic notes of the lemon juice. At the same time, parsley brings a fresh, herbaceous flavor to complement the pungent, savory flavor of the minced garlic.

Once you have prepared the marinade, it's time to thread the large shrimp onto skewers. To do this, take a skewer and push each shrimp onto it, leaving a little space between them. Then, pour some of the marinade over the shrimp, ensuring each one is coated with the marinade. Reserve a bit of the marinade, which you'll use later to coat the shrimp once they have cooked. Use a brush or spoon to spread the marinade evenly over each shrimp so they are fully coated. This will help to ensure that the shrimp are evenly flavored and will be delicious from the first bite to the last.

Preheat the oven to the grill or broil setting — choose a high broil, if you're given the option – to cook the garlic shrimp kabobs. Broil the skewers for a few minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. This short cooking time is enough; the high heat of the oven's broiler setting swiftly caramelizes the marinade, creating a smoky char on the exterior. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, which can make them tough. Remove the shrimp skewers from the oven and spoon the remaining marinade on top before serving, to accentuate the flavors of the dish with a hit of fresh garlic and parsley.

After less than 20 minutes of work, your easy Mediterranean appetizer is ready! You can serve the shrimp kabobs on or off the skewers. Make sure you add additional lemon wedges to the plate for those who want a more lemony flavor to the dish. For a truly impressive Mediterranean meal, pair the shrimp kabobs with a Greek seven-layer salad, garlicky Greek baked chicken, or Greek Portokalopita cake for dessert. Leftover shrimp should be removed from the skewers and kept in an airtight container for up to four days.