These Broiled Shrimp skewers are a great way to cook shrimp. They get a lot of color and flavor without marinating them. I have made them often and they are perfect in salads, with pasta, or paired with any vegetable.
The acidity of the lemon juice and the sharp garlic flavor complement the briny shrimp. I love adding the sugar for caramelization because the sweetness also adds balance to the dish.
If you like lemon garlic recipes, you will love Lemon Garlic Aioli and Garlic Lemon Chicken Thighs or check out these kid friendly shrimp recipes!
Why You’ll Love This Broiled Shrimp Recipe
- 30-minute meal: It only takes 30 minutes to prepare and broil the shrimp.
- Perfect appetizer or dinner: Serve these baked shrimp skewers as a starter or the main dinner course.
- Budget-friendly: The ingredients used in the recipe are inexpensive and common.
Ingredients
This recipe for oven-baked shrimp and lemon garlic sauce requireseasy-to-find items that won’t break the bank.
- Shrimp: I like to use extra large shrimp because they are easiest to get on and off the skewers.
- Oil: I use olive oil to brush onto the shrimp before they cook. It helps add color and the sugar to stick.
- Sugar: Adding sugar provides sweetness but also helps the shrimp to caramelize under the broiler.
- Butter: This is going to be the rich base for the sauce. It coats the shrimp well and prevents the garlic from burning.
- Lemon juice: The acidity and tart flavor of lemon juice pairs so well with fish, especially shrimp.
- Spices: I use salt and red pepper flakes. I like the subtle heat of the red pepper but you may use black pepper if you prefer.
- Garlic: The garlic brings out the natural flavor of the shrimp and compliments the char on them.
- Parsley: I like to add fresh parsley for color. You may add dried parsley to the sauce instead if you want.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Bacon-wrapped shrimp: If you enjoy bacon-wrapped recipes, you may wrap these shrimp in bacon before you skewer and broil them. It will add texture and salty flavor.
- Cajun shrimp: Try a cajun seasoning blend on the shrimp for a kick.
- Honey balsamic: Make a sauce with honey and balsamic vinegar for a different flavor profile.
How to Make Oven-Broiled Shrimp
Here's a look at how to broil shrimp in the oven. If you are unsure of how long to broil shrimp, it may depend on your oven and how much color you want on them.
I highly recommend turning the broiler on for a couple of minutes before you put the shrimp in the oven. It will also be helpful to have a baking sheet lined with foil, too.
Step 1: Add shrimp to the skewers. Thread the shrimp onto the metal skewers, ensuring it is right through the middle so they don’t fall off. It’s completely fine for them to be touching.
Step 2: Brush with oil and season. Brush each side of the shrimp with olive oil. Then, sprinkle each side generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle sugar over one side of the shrimp skewers.
Step 3: Make the lemon garlic sauce. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter, lemon juice, red pepper, and garlic. Stir the ingredients and allow the butter to fully melt. Then, add fresh parsley. Set the sauce aside for now.
Step 4: Broil the shrimp. Add the shrimp skewers to the foiled line baking sheet with the sugar side up. Place the pan under the broiler and broil the shrimp for about 4 minutes or until you reach your desired level of char. Carefully flip each shrimp skewer and put them back under the broiler for about 2 minutes. You only want a little bit of color on the shrimp.
Step 7: Remove the shrimp. After taking the baking sheet out of the oven, use tongs to remove the shrimp from the skewers. Add them directly into the skillet with the sauce.
Step 8: Finish cooking. Place the skillet back over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp in the sauce for an additional 30-60 seconds. You want them to be slightly curled and pink.
Step 9: Serve. Enjoy the shrimp straight from the pan with your favorite side dish!
⭐️ Hint: The shrimp are going to finish cooking in the lemon sauce so it is okay if they are not fully done when you remove them from the oven. Broiling is meant to add color and flavor.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy Sweet Chili Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Southern Fried Shrimp or our Easy Oven Baked BBQ Chicken and our Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs
Storage
- Refrigeration: Store the shrimp and extra sauce in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Add the broiled shrimp to a skillet and gently heat them over medium heat until warm. I do not recommend using the microwave because it will make them rubbery.
- Freezing: Ensure the shrimp are completely cooled before placing them in a freezer-safe container. They will last frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before you reheat them.
Serving Suggestions
- Use leftover broiled shrimp in your lunch the next day. Add them to Easy Asparagus Salad or Salad with Fruit and Nuts.
- Shrimp pairs beautifully with pasta. Add it to this Alfredo Pasta Recipe for a unique shrimp Alfredo or this Gochujang Sesame Noodles Recipe for a spicy meal.
- A simple side to pair with this recipe is this. Crockpot Corn on the Cob. It goes with anything!
Need more ideas? Check out what to serve with grilled shrimp for more inspiration.
Recipe Tips
- Pat the shrimp dry: Ensure the shrimp are completely dry before you season them. If they go into the oven while still wet, they won’t get the char you are looking for.
- Watch the broiler: Every oven operates slightly differently so keep an eye on the broiler so the shrimp don’t burn.
- Keep the shrimp shells: If you have shrimp shells, don’t throw them away! Add them to a pot with water and aromatics (citrus, onion, garlic) and make a flavorful broth.
Recipe FAQs
I do not recommend it. They will burn if they are used close to the broiler.
Sure! Cook them for a couple of minutes on each side to get beautiful grill marks on the shrimp. Then, finish them in the sauce.
Absolutely! Ensure that they are peeled and cleaned properly. Remove the vein by slicing through the back of the shrimp carefully and scooping it out with the tip of your knife. Pinch and pull off the tails as well. Then, they are ready to go!
Video
More Delicious Shrimp Dishes
Do you like shrimp? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Lemon Garlic Broiled Shrimp Skewers
Equipment
- metal skewers (3 x 14 inch or equivalent)
- rack
Ingredients
Lemon Garlic Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 4 pieces
- 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice from 2 lemons
- ½ - 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- To fit all of your shrimp under the broiler at once, you’ll need between four and six 10 to 14 inch metal skewers or the equivalent. Wooden skewers will likely burn so close to your broiler so I highly recommend NOT using them.
- Adjust oven rack to highest position and turn on your broiler.
- Rinse and pat your shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Thread shrimp onto your skewers, one at a time. Each end of each shrimp needs to be punctured by the skewer. Your skewer should look like a bunch of C's beside each other. It is ok for your shrimp to touch.
- Brush both sides of shrimp with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle ONE side of each skewer with sugar.
- In large skillet, over medium high heat, combine butter, lemon juice, pepper flakes, garlic, and salt.
- Stir occasionally, until butter melts, and ingredients are incorporated, just a few minutes. You will be adding your fresh parsley right before serving. If you are using dried parsley please add it now.
- Remove skillet from heat and set aside.
- Meanwhile, on a rimmed baking sheet, with tinfoil and a rack lightly coated in cooking spray, place your shrimp skewers in a row, SUGAR SIDE UP.
- Place baking sheet under your broiler and cook shrimp until lightly charred, about 4 minutes.
- Using a pair of tongs or just oven mitts, flip each skewer over and broil until second side is pink and slightly translucent, 1 to 2 minutes longer. You want to finish cooking your shrimp in the sauce in your skillet so don't be concerned if they are not fully cooked at this point.
- Remove your shrimp from oven and using an oven mitt, carefully lift each skewer from your wire rack. Using tongs or a large serving fork, slide each shrimp off of each skewer and right into your sauce filled skillet.
- Place your skillet over medium high heat and stir until all of your shrimp are coated in sauce. Stir continuously until shrimp are opaque and a bright pink, another 30 seconds to one minute.
- Your goal is to cook the shrimp until they are pink or in a perfect C shape. If the are straight they are usually undercooked. If they form a ring or O they are overcooked.
- To serve, just cut a few wedges of lemon and serve with the shrimp. Squeeze some fresh lemon onto your broiled shrimp, coated in Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce, if you desire. Regardless, you will end up with incredibly tasty shrimp that is so much better and so much cheaper than restaurants. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pat the shrimp dry: Ensure the shrimp are completely dry before you season them. If they go into the oven while still wet, they won’t get the char you are looking for.
- Watch the broiler: Every oven operates slightly differently so keep an eye on the broiler so the shrimp don’t burn.
- Keep the shrimp shells: If you have shrimp shells, don’t throw them away! Add them to a pot with water and aromatics (citrus, onion, garlic) and make a flavorful broth.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in September 2019. It has been updated with new content and images.
Lindie McElroy says
My whole family loved this!!! Thank you for a restaurant quality meal. I was skeptical of the sugar on it but it was fine. Not really sure why it's added though.
I served it over cauliflower risotto with asparagus. Perfection!
Karin and Ken says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe! The sugar brings out the sweetness of the shrimp and makes it brown a little nicer. That's all. I was told years ago to do it and just continue to do so. Sounds like you had a wonderful meal. Hopefully you enjoy some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best. Karin
Samantha says
So good and easy. I will make this recipe forever. Thank you for sharing it
Karin and Ken says
You are too kind! So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best. Karin
Shannon says
Terrific and so easy.
Karin and Ken says
I could not agree more! Thank you for letting me know. You truly made my day! All the best. Karin
Olive says
Delicious. Thank you for showing me how to make shrimp. This recipe is great
Karin and Ken says
You are most welcome! Making shrimp is so easy! So glad you enjoyed the flavors as much as we do! Take care and be well. Karin
Shoah says
These shrimp were Amazing. Thank you for sharing it
Karin and Ken says
As always you are most welcome! I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe as much as we do! All the best. Karin