The Best Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers (An Elegant Summer Meal!)

Hello, my fellow grill masters! Get ready for a recipe that will completely elevate your summer grilling game. If you love the bright, zesty, and savory flavors of a classic chicken piccata, you are going to be obsessed with this incredible grilled shrimp version. These Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers are a true showstopper—they’re elegant, packed with incredible flavor, and surprisingly simple to make.

Imagine plump, juicy shrimp, marinated in a fragrant blend of rosemary, garlic, and lemon zest, then grilled to charred perfection. These beautiful skewers are then served on a platter and generously drizzled with a luxurious, buttery piccata sauce, brimming with tangy capers and white wine. It’s a light, sophisticated, and unbelievably delicious meal that is perfect for a summer evening, a backyard barbecue, or any time you want to impress your guests.

Why You’ll Be Absolutely Obsessed With This Recipe

This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a ticket to a perfect summer meal. Here’s why it’s so amazing:

• Incredible Depth of Flavor: The combination of the rosemary-garlic marinade on the shrimp and the tangy, buttery, briny piccata sauce creates a truly spectacular, multi-layered flavor experience.
• Perfectly Charred & Juicy Shrimp: Grilling the shrimp on skewers is the perfect method for cooking them quickly, giving them a beautiful char on the outside while keeping them perfectly tender and juicy on the inside.
• A Truly Elegant, Restaurant-Quality Dish: This is the kind of impressive meal you’d expect to find at a fancy seaside restaurant, but it’s so easy to create on your own grill.
• Quick and Perfect for Entertaining: The components come together quickly, and the grilling itself takes less than 5 minutes, making it a fantastic, low-stress option for entertaining.

Gather Your Fresh & Zesty Ingredients: What You’ll Need

This impressive dish comes together with a handful of fresh, high-impact 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 cup plus 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 lemons
• 1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp. capers, drained
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
• 1/2 cup 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

Crafting Your Shrimp Piccata Skewers: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s build this beautiful and delicious meal. The components come together easily while the shrimp marinates.

1. Marinate the Shrimp: If you’re using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in warm water for at least 15 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill. Pat your shrimp completely dry and place them in a large bowl. Add the chopped rosemary, red pepper flakes, half of the minced garlic, 1/4 cup of the olive oil, the zest of one lemon, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Toss everything to coat and let the shrimp marinate for 15 minutes.

1. Make the Piccata Sauce: While the shrimp marinates, make the sauce. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped shallot and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the capers and the remaining garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 more minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
2. Reduce and Emulsify: Increase the heat to medium-high and pour in the white wine. Let it bubble and cook, stirring, until the wine has reduced by about two-thirds. Add the chicken broth and continue to cook until it has reduced by about three-quarters. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter, fresh parsley, and the juice of half a lemon until the sauce is smooth and emulsified. Keep it warm over very low heat.
3. Grill the Shrimp and Lemons: Prepare your grill for medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grates well. Thread the marinated shrimp onto your skewers. Grill the skewers for 3 to 4 minutes total, turning them halfway through, until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and have beautiful char marks.

1. Grill the Lemons and Serve: While the shrimp cook, slice the remaining 1 1/2 lemons. Place the lemon slices directly on the grill and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until charred.
2. Assemble and Garnish: Transfer the hot shrimp skewers to a large platter. Add the grilled lemon slices to the platter. Drizzle everything generously with the warm piccata sauce and finish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Wise Tips for the Best Grilled Shrimp

• Don’t Over-Marinate: Shrimp is delicate! A 15-minute marinade is all it needs to pick up the flavor. Marinating it for too long in the acidic lemon zest can start to “cook” the shrimp and affect its texture.
• Hot and Fast Grilling: The key to perfectly cooked shrimp is a hot grill and a quick cooking time. This ensures they get a nice char on the outside without becoming tough and rubbery.
• Oil Your Grates: A well-oiled grill grate is essential to prevent the delicate shrimp from sticking.
• The Grilled Lemons are a Must! Grilling the lemon slices caramelizes their sugars and makes them extra juicy and flavorful. A final squeeze over the shrimp is a fantastic finishing touch.

Delicious Variations & Creative Twists

• Serve over Pasta: This dish is incredible served over a bed of angel hair or linguine pasta to soak up all that delicious piccata sauce.
• Add Some Veggies: Thread some cherry tomatoes, zucchini chunks, or bell pepper pieces onto the skewers in between the shrimp.
• Pan-Seared Version: No grill? No problem! You can sear the shrimp in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side instead of grilling them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Grilled Shrimp Piccata

What kind of white wine is best for the sauce?
A dry, crisp white wine like a Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or an unoaked Chardonnay is perfect. Avoid sweet wines like Moscato.

Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. For the best results, make sure the shrimp are completely thawed and patted very dry before you marinate them.

What should I serve with these skewers?
They are fantastic with a side of creamy polenta, crusty bread for dipping in the sauce, a simple orzo salad, or roasted asparagus.

Conclusion

These Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers are a truly special dish that brings a touch of elegance to your summer table. It’s a bright, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal that is sure to become a new favorite for your family and friends. Enjoy!