Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers (Cajun Grilled Recipe)

If you are looking for a recipe that feels a little special but takes almost no effort, this is it. These garlic butter shrimp skewers come together in about 30 minutes, and they taste like something you would order at a restaurant. Smoky from the grill, rich from the butter, and bold from the Cajun seasoning every bite is packed with flavor.

Whether you are firing up the grill for a weeknight dinner or hosting friends on the weekend, garlic butter shrimp skewers are always a great idea. They cook fast, look impressive on a plate, and pair with just about everything.

Let’s get into it.

Why You Will Love This Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe

This is not a complicated recipe. There are no hard-to-find ingredients and no special equipment beyond a grill and some skewers. Here is what makes it work so well:

The garlic butter sauce does two jobs. Half of it marinates the shrimp before they hit the grill. The other half gets brushed on right before serving. That double layer of flavor is what makes these skewers so good.

The Cajun seasoning adds a warm, smoky kick without being overwhelmingly spicy. And the lemon juice brightens everything up at the end.

If you love bold, simple grilling recipes, you will also enjoy these grilled BBQ chicken kabobs or this collection of easy grilled chicken recipes for more weeknight inspiration.

Ingredients You Will Need

Here is everything that goes into these garlic butter shrimp skewers:

• 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on
• 1 stick salted butter, melted
• 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Skewers (wooden or metal)
• Lemon slices for serving, optional

A note on the shrimp: go with large or jumbo shrimp if you can. They are easier to thread onto skewers and hold up better on the grill without overcooking.

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers

Step 1: Soak Your Skewers

If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before you start. This prevents them from burning on the grill. Metal skewers skip this step entirely, which is one reason they are worth having in your kitchen.

Step 2: Make the Cajun Garlic Butter Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together the melted butter, 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning, the chopped parsley, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Give it a good stir until everything is combined.

Now divide this sauce in half. One half goes over the raw shrimp as a marinade. The other half gets set aside for basting after the shrimp come off the grill.

Step 3: Season the Shrimp

Place the shrimp in a large bowl. Pour the first half of the garlic butter sauce over them and sprinkle on the remaining 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Toss until every shrimp is well coated.

You can let the shrimp sit for 10 to 15 minutes if you have time. This is not required, but it does let the flavors sink in a little more.

Step 4: Thread and Grill

Thread the shrimp onto your skewers. Do not crowd them too tightly — leave just a little space so the heat can circulate evenly.

Heat your grill to medium-high. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. You are looking for the shrimp to turn pink and opaque, with some light char on the edges. Shrimp cook fast, so keep an eye on them.

Step 5: Baste and Serve

Take the skewers off the grill and immediately brush on the reserved garlic butter sauce. If the sauce has solidified while it was sitting, pop it in the microwave for about 15 seconds to melt it again.

Serve with fresh lemon slices on the side. That squeeze of lemon at the table makes a real difference.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Skewers in the Oven

No grill? No problem. You can make garlic butter shrimp skewers in the oven just as easily.

Set your oven to broil on high. Line a baking sheet with foil and place the threaded skewers on it. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes per side, watching closely since broilers vary and shrimp overcook quickly. You will get a similar charred effect without ever stepping outside.

This is also a great method for winter months when grilling outdoors is not an option.

Tips for the Best Grilled Shrimp Skewers

A good grilled shrimp skewers marinade makes all the difference. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Do not overcook the shrimp. This is the most common mistake. Shrimp go from perfectly cooked to rubbery very quickly. As soon as they are pink and no longer translucent, they are done.

Pat the shrimp dry before adding the sauce. Excess moisture can prevent a good sear and make the shrimp steam instead of char.

Use real butter. Margarine or butter substitutes will not give you the same rich flavor. The butter is a big part of what makes this recipe taste so good.

Double the sauce if you want more for dipping. It is that good.

Shrimp Skewers with Veggies

Want to make it a more complete meal? Try adding vegetables to your skewers. Shrimp skewers with veggies are easy to put together and cook at roughly the same speed as the shrimp.

Good options include:

• Bell peppers (any color)
• Red onion
• Zucchini
• Cherry tomatoes
• Corn cut into small rounds

Cut everything into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Brush the veggies with the same garlic butter sauce for a cohesive flavor across the whole skewer.

For a full veggie skewer side dish to serve alongside, check out these grilled veggie skewers that come together with the same ease.

Fun Variations to Try

Pineapple Shrimp Skewers

Pineapple shrimp skewers are a tropical twist that works beautifully with this recipe. Simply alternate shrimp and pineapple chunks on the skewer. The sweetness of the pineapple plays off the Cajun seasoning in the best way. The fruit also caramelizes on the grill and gets a little jammy it is worth trying at least once.

Inspired by Bobby Flay

If you have ever looked up a grilled shrimp skewers recipe from Bobby Flay, you already know how much he leans into bold spice rubs and compound butters. This Cajun garlic butter version follows that same spirit big flavor, simple technique. The key, like he often points out, is getting your grill good and hot before the food goes on.

What to Serve with Shrimp Skewers

Figuring out what to serve with shrimp skewers is half the fun. These are some of the best pairings:

Rice is a classic choice. Plain white rice, coconut rice, or something like cilantro lime shrimp rice makes a great base to soak up all that garlic butter.

A cold salad is always welcome alongside something hot off the grill. This classic potato salad, creamy coleslaw, corn salad, or a good macaroni salad all work beautifully here.

Crusty bread is another great option. It is perfect for soaking up any leftover butter sauce on the plate.

If you want to keep things light, a simple green salad with lemon dressing is all you need.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

These shrimp are best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers they will keep in the fridge for up to 2 days in a sealed container.

To reheat, warm them gently in a skillet over low heat with a small pat of butter. Avoid microwaving if you can — it tends to make shrimp rubbery. You can also eat them cold over a salad the next day, which is actually quite good.

More Shrimp Recipes You Might Like

If you love cooking shrimp, these other recipes on the site are worth bookmarking:

• Lemon garlic shrimp and asparagus — a quick one-pan dinner with bright, fresh flavors
• Cilantro lime shrimp rice — a bold and colorful bowl that comes together fast

And if you enjoy Cajun flavors in general, you will definitely want to try this spicy Cajun chicken breast next.

FAQs

Conclusion

Garlic butter shrimp skewers are one of those recipes that never get old. They are quick, flavorful, and work for any occasion from a weeknight dinner to a summer cookout. The Cajun garlic butter sauce is the star simple to make and bold in flavor.

Whether you are grilling them outdoors, making garlic butter shrimp skewers in the oven, adding pineapple for a tropical twist, or loading them up with veggies, this recipe is endlessly flexible. Make it once and it will become a regular in your rotation.

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