Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers Recipe
Introduction
These Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers offer a bright, flavorful twist on a classic Italian sauce, perfectly complementing tender, charred shrimp. Ideal for summer cookouts or a quick weeknight dinner, this dish combines zesty lemon, capers, and fresh herbs for a mouthwatering experience.

Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. large tail-on shrimp, cleaned
- 1 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped, divided
- 1/4 c. plus 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for grill
- 2 lemons, zested, divided
- 1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. capers, drained
- 1/2 c. dry white wine
- 1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp. finely grated Parmesan
- 6 to 7 (12″) wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: If using wooden skewers, soak them in warm water for at least 15 minutes to prevent burning. Pat the shrimp dry and place them in a large bowl. Add rosemary, crushed red pepper flakes, half of the garlic, 1/4 cup of olive oil, half of the lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Toss well to coat, then let the shrimp marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, cut one lemon in half and juice one half, reserving the juice. Slice the remaining 1 1/2 lemons into rounds for grilling.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chopped shallots and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots begin to soften, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Add the capers and remaining garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until the garlic becomes fragrant, about 2 minutes more.
- Step 5: Increase the heat to medium-high and pour in the white wine. Cook, stirring, until the liquid is reduced by about two-thirds, approximately 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by about three-quarters, about 3 more minutes.
- Step 6: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the butter, parsley, and reserved lemon juice until the sauce is emulsified. Keep the sauce warm over low heat.
- Step 7: Prepare a grill for medium-high heat and preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Step 8: Thread the marinated shrimp onto the skewers. Grill the shrimp, turning once halfway through, until charred on both sides and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes total. Transfer the skewers to a serving platter.
- Step 9: Grill the lemon slices, turning once halfway through, until charred, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Add the grilled lemons to the platter with the shrimp.
- Step 10: Spoon the warm piccata sauce over the shrimp and lemons. Finish by sprinkling with finely grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- For a milder dish, reduce or omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- Substitute fresh rosemary with thyme for a different herbal note.
- Use metal skewers to avoid soaking time, but be cautious as they get hot quickly.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious piccata sauce.
Storage
Store leftover grilled shrimp skewers and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave to avoid overcooking the shrimp. The sauce can be reheated separately to preserve its texture and flavor.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, but be sure to fully thaw and pat the shrimp dry before marinating to ensure even cooking and better flavor absorption.
What can I substitute for white wine in the piccata sauce?
If you prefer not to use wine, dry white grape juice or additional chicken broth with a splash of lemon juice works as a non-alcoholic alternative that maintains the acidity and depth of flavor.
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Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This vibrant and flavorful recipe for Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers combines tender, marinated shrimp with a zesty lemon-caper piccata sauce. Perfectly grilled and served with charred lemon slices, this dish offers a delightful balance of smoky, tangy, and buttery flavors that make it an impressive yet easy seafood meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Shrimp Marinade
- 1 1/2 lb. large tail-on shrimp, cleaned
- 1 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped, divided
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for grill
- 2 lemons, zested, divided
- 1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
Piccata Sauce
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. capers, drained
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- Reserved lemon juice from 1 lemon half
- 2 tbsp. finely grated Parmesan
Additional
- 6 to 7 (12″) wooden or metal skewers (if wooden, soaked in warm water at least 15 minutes)
- Lemon slices from remaining 1 1/2 lemons
Instructions
- Prepare the Shrimp Marinade: If wooden skewers are used, soak them in warm water for at least 15 minutes to prevent burning. Pat the shrimp dry and place them in a large bowl. Add chopped rosemary, crushed red pepper flakes, half of the chopped garlic, 1/4 cup of olive oil, half of the lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Toss well to coat the shrimp evenly and let them marinate for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Prepare Lemons: While the shrimp marinates, cut 1 lemon in half and juice one half, reserving the juice for the sauce. Slice the remaining 1 1/2 lemons into rounds to grill later.
- Make the Piccata Sauce Base: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped shallots and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, cooking and stirring occasionally until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the drained capers and the remaining chopped garlic; cook for an additional 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
- Reduce Wine and Broth: Turn heat to medium-high and pour in the dry white wine. Stir and cook until the liquid reduces by about two-thirds, approximately 2 minutes. Add the low-sodium chicken broth and cook until reduced by about three-quarters, about 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Finish Piccata Sauce: Off the heat, stir in the unsalted butter, chopped fresh parsley, and the reserved lemon juice until the sauce emulsifies and becomes smooth. Keep the sauce warm on low heat until ready to serve.
- Preheat and Prepare Grill: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat for about 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Shrimp Skewers: Thread the marinated shrimp onto the soaked wooden or metal skewers. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes total, turning once halfway through, until the shrimp are charred on both sides and cooked through.
- Grill Lemon Slices: Place the sliced lemons on the grill as well. Grill for 1 to 2 minutes per side until they develop nice char marks.
- Serve: Transfer the grilled shrimp skewers to a serving platter. Arrange the grilled lemon slices alongside the shrimp. Drizzle the warm piccata sauce over the shrimp and lemons. Finish by sprinkling with finely grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
Notes
- To prevent skewers from burning, soak wooden skewers in water before grilling.
- Use dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for optimal flavor in the piccata sauce.
- You can substitute low-sodium vegetable broth to make the dish pescatarian-friendly.
- To ensure shrimp cook evenly, choose shrimp of similar size and do not overcrowd the grill.
- For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes slightly.
- This recipe pairs well with a fresh green salad or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: shrimp, piccata, grilled shrimp skewers, lemon caper sauce, seafood grill recipe, summer grilling

