Oh my goodness, are you ready for a recipe that is an absolute lifesaver when you need something impressive but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? I’m talking about my go-to Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers! Seriously, these things are magic. Whether it’s a last-minute get-together, a big game day, or just a Tuesday night that needs a little *oomph*, these skewers are my secret weapon. They come together so quickly and taste like you slaved away for ages. Trust me, your friends and family will be begging for the recipe!
Why You’ll Love These Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Here’s why these little bites are my absolute favorite:
- Super Easy & Quick: Seriously, from start to finish, you’re looking at maybe 25 minutes. Perfect for when company’s coming or you’re just craving something delicious *now*.
- Incredible Flavor: That combo of garlic, salty Parmesan, and fresh parsley? It’s a winner, every single time. So savory and just irresistible!
- So Versatile: Grill ’em up for that perfect smoky char, or pop them in the oven if the weather’s not cooperating. They’re fantastic either way.
- Crowd Pleaser Guaranteed: Whether it’s a fancy party or just a casual hangout, these shrimp skewers disappear FAST. They’re just that good!
Ingredients for Perfect Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Okay, so the magic of these Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers really comes down to using good, fresh ingredients. You don’t need much, but what you do need counts!
Here’s what you’ll grab:
- 1 pound large shrimp: Make sure they’re peeled and deveined. It just makes life so much easier!
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Good quality extra virgin olive oil is my jam here.
- 3 cloves garlic: Freshly minced, please! None of that pre-jarred stuff for this recipe.
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese: The real stuff, grated yourself if you can! It makes a difference.
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley: Adds a lovely bit of freshness.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just to bring out all those yummy flavors.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Freshly ground is always best!
- Wooden or metal skewers: Now, if you’re using wooden ones, don’t forget to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. Trust me, you don’t want them burning up on the grill! Metal ones are totally fine too – no soaking needed.
Essential Equipment for Making Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers
You don’t need a super fancy setup for these Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers! Just a few basics will do.
- Mixing Bowl: A medium-sized one works perfectly for tossing everything together.
- Measuring Spoons: For getting those garlic, oil, and spice measurements just right.
- Skewers: Either wooden (soaked!) or metal – your choice!
- Grill or Oven: Whatever you prefer for cooking them up!
Step-by-Step Guide to Delicious Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Alright, let’s get these amazing Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers made! It’s a totally straightforward process, and I’ll walk you through every step so they turn out perfectly.
- Prep Your Skewers: First things first! If you’re using wooden skewers for your grilling adventures, you absolutely *have* to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. Keep them submerged! This is super important to stop them from catching fire and turning into little burnt sticks on your grill. Metal skewers don’t need this step, so you’re good to go there.
- Whip Up the Marinade: Grab a medium bowl. Toss in your olive oil, that wonderfully fragrant minced garlic, your grated Parmesan cheese, the fresh chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir so it’s nicely combined.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Now, add your peeled and deveined shrimp right into that bowl of deliciousness. Toss them around gently until every single shrimp is coated in that garlicky, cheesy goodness. Let them sit and soak up all those flavors for about 10 to 15 minutes. Don’t marinate them for too long, though, or the acid in the oil and cheese can start to “cook” them.
- Thread ‘Em Up: Time to get your shrimp onto those skewers! Carefully thread the marinated shrimp onto your prepared skewers. My little trick here? Don’t cram them too close together! Try to leave a little space between each shrimp. This is key for them to cook evenly, and trust me, nobody wants half-cooked, half-rubbery shrimp. Aim for about 3-4 shrimp per skewer, depending on their size and your skewer length.
- Cook ‘Em to Perfection:
- Grilling: Get your grill fired up to medium-high heat. Lay those beautiful skewers down and grill for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. You’re looking for them to turn pink and opaque. They cook super fast!
- Baking: No grill? No problem! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange your skewers on a baking sheet (maybe line it with parchment paper first for easy cleanup – a total game-changer!). Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they’re cooked through and pink.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once they’re perfectly cooked, take them off the heat and serve them up immediately. They’re best when they’re hot and fresh off the grill or out of the oven. You could even drizzle a little lemon juice over them right before serving if you want an extra pop of brightness. I’ve also made these for parties and just put them on a platter, and they fly off the plate faster than my Easy Margherita Pizza!
Tips for the Best Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Making these Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers is seriously foolproof, but a few little tricks can make them absolutely spectacular. You know, like that time I forgot to soak my wooden skewers (oops!) and they started to smoke like crazy? Learn from my mistakes!
First off, use good quality shrimp. Fresh or good quality frozen-then-thawed large shrimp make a difference, trust me. And when you’re marinating, stick to that 10-15 minute window. Any longer and they can get a bit mushy. Also, don’t skip soaking those wooden skewers – it’s a true game-changer for grilling!
Finally, don’t overcook them. Shrimp cook in a flash! They should just turn pink and opaque. It’s better to pull them off a minute early than to have them turn rubbery. When I first started making these, I always worried about undercooking, but I quickly learned they cook *way* faster than you think. Now I watch them like a hawk!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Let’s dive a little deeper into why these Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers work so well and what you can do if you need to switch things up!
The Parmesan cheese is totally key here. It adds this amazing salty, nutty depth that really complements the garlic and shrimp. If you absolutely can’t use Parmesan, a good quality Pecorino Romano would be a decent swap, but it’s a bit sharper, so maybe use a tiny bit less. And for the parsley, fresh is really best for that bright flavor. If you’re in a pinch, you *could* use dried, but you’d only need about a teaspoon instead of a tablespoon, and the flavor won’t be quite as vibrant.
As for the shrimp, I usually go for large ones because they’re easier to handle on the skewer and less likely to overcook. But medium shrimp work too, just keep a super close eye on them as they’ll cook even faster! You can totally use these Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers with pre-shelled and deveined shrimp, of course – it just saves a little prep time!
Serving Suggestions for Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers
These Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers are so versatile, they fit right in anywhere! Honestly, they’re fantastic as a quick appetizer when guests pop over – trust me, they’ll be devoured in minutes. But they’re also amazing as part of a bigger meal. I love serving them alongside a big, vibrant fresh salad or some simple grilled veggies. They even make a fun addition to a holiday spread, like a less traditional take on holiday sides!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got any Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers left over? Lucky you! Just pop them into an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. They’ll keep for about a day, maybe two if you’re lucky. When you’re ready to reheat, I find the best way is a quick zap in the oven at around 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until they’re warmed through. Microwaving can sometimes make them a bit chewy, so I usually avoid that!
Frequently Asked Questions about Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers
Got questions about these yummy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers? I’ve got you covered! Here are some things folks often ask.
Can I prepare the shrimp ahead of time?
Yes, you totally can! You can marinate the shrimp for up to an hour in the fridge. Just keep them covered in the bowl. I wouldn’t go much longer than that, though, to keep them nice and fresh!
What is the best way to prevent shrimp from becoming rubbery?
The biggest secret is NOT to overcook them! Shrimp cook super fast. Watch them closely – they’re done when they turn pink and opaque. Pull them off the heat right when they hit that point, and they’ll be perfectly tender. Trust me, it’s better to err on the side of slightly undercooked than rubbery!
Can I use pre-shelled and deveined shrimp?
Absolutely! Using pre-shelled and deveined shrimp for your Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers is totally fine and saves you a bit of prep time. Just make sure they’re good quality, and you’re good to go!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, these numbers for our cheesy Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers are estimates, okay? They can totally vary depending on the exact brands of ingredients you use and how big those shrimp really are. But generally, a serving of two skewers gives you about 150 calories, 7g of fat, and a whopping 18g of protein. Pretty awesome for a flavorful appetizer, right?
Share Your Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers Creations!
Okay, now it’s YOUR turn! I absolutely LOVE hearing about your cooking adventures. Have you tried making these Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers? Did you grill them or bake them? How did they disappear at your party? Drop me a comment below and let me know all about it! And if you snapped some photos, you can always share them with me through my contact page. I can’t wait to see your delicious creations!
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Parmesan Garlic Shrimp Skewers
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Easy and flavorful shrimp skewers with Parmesan and garlic, perfect for grilling or baking.
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 10-15 minutes.
- Thread the marinated shrimp onto the prepared skewers.
- Grill the skewers over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Alternatively, bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.
- Ensure shrimp are not overcrowded on the skewers for even cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling or Baking
- Cuisine: American
