These honey garlic shrimp skewers have become one of my favorite grilling recipes! The combination of sweet honey, aromatic garlic, and a hint of spice creates an absolutely incredible flavor that will make you want to cook these again and again.
Let’s get cooking!
What are these honey garlic shrimp skewers?
These grilled shrimp skewers combine juicy shrimp with a mouthwatering marinade that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. The honey adds a wonderful sweetness while the garlic and red pepper flakes bring an amazing depth of flavor.
What goes into these shrimp skewers?
Ingredients for 4 servings:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Equipment you’ll find useful for making these skewers:
Here’s a list of kitchen accessories and tools I recommend for this recipe:
- Wooden or metal skewers
- Grill or grill pan
- Small mixing bowl
- Pastry brush
- Cutting board and sharp knife
Tips and tricks for perfect shrimp skewers
Here’s a super important tip: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This will prevent them from burning while you cook!
How to make amazing honey garlic shrimp skewers?
1. Make the marinade
First, let’s prepare our incredible marinade that will give these shrimp their amazing flavor. In a bowl, mix:
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Add just a tiny pinch of salt and pepper, remembering that the soy sauce already brings plenty of saltiness.
2. Prepare and skewer the shrimp
Make sure your shrimp are completely thawed and patted dry. This is super important for getting that wonderful caramelization we’re looking for!
Thread the shrimp onto your skewers, leaving a bit of space between each one. Try to get them all facing the same direction – it might seem fussy, but trust me, it makes them much easier to flip!
3. Time to grill these beauties
Heat your grill or grill pan to medium heat. Brush your shrimp generously with the marinade – don’t be shy with it!
Cook the skewers for 2-3 minutes on each side. You’ll know they’re ready to flip when they start turning pink around the edges. After flipping, add another brush of marinade.
The shrimp are done when they’re completely pink and have some beautiful caramelized spots from the honey. This usually takes about 5-6 minutes total.
4. Add the final touches
Take those gorgeous skewers off the grill, give them one final brush with any remaining marinade, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro. The cilantro adds such a wonderful fresh touch!
Helpful tips for making these shrimp skewers
- The smoked paprika adds an amazing depth of flavor – if you can find it, definitely use it!
- Make sure your grill is properly heated before adding the shrimp
- Try to use shrimp that are all about the same size (I love using the 16-20 per pound size)
- Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to make it more or less spicy
- For a gluten-free version, you can use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce
These shrimp skewers are absolutely perfect served over rice or as an appetizer. They combine beautifully with a fresh cucumber salad or Asian-style slaw.
Remember, the magic of these skewers comes from finding that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Once you try them, I’m sure they’ll become one of your favorite recipes too!