Name: Pesto Shrimp Skewers
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 33 min
Yield: 4 skewers
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.25 cup pesto; 1 lb shrimp; 0.25 tsp kosher salt; skewers; lemon wedges

Pesto Shrimp Skewers are a quick and delicious dinner for busy weeknights. Shrimp are one of my go-to proteins for a quick dinner because they take literally minutes to cook. These pesto shrimp take no time to prepare and are perfect for an easy dinner when you’re short on time. Shrimp are a great source of protein and calcium, and marinating them in fresh basil pesto keeps this dish super light!

Seafood

33 m

American

Weelicious

March 18, 2026

Weelicious.com

From the Cook

1/6

Pesto Shrimp Skewers

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Place the pesto, shrimp and salt in a bowl. Stir to coat the shrimp evenly, then cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

While the shrimp marinate, preheat the oven broiler.

Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers. (If you're using wooden skewers, see note below)

Place the skewers on a cookie sheet and cook under the broiler for just 3 minutes. There’s no need to turn them.

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Prevent Curling with Proper Butterfly Technique 🦐
Devein shrimp from the back and leave the shell on, or butterfly them by cutting deeper into the back without severing completely—this prevents them from curling into tight balls during cooking.
Pat Shrimp Completely Dry Before Skewering 💧
Use paper towels to remove all moisture from the shrimp before coating with pesto; this ensures better pesto adhesion and allows for proper caramelization on the grill.
Soak Wooden Skewers to Prevent Burning 🔥
Submerge wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading shrimp to prevent charring and splintering during cooking.
Reserve Fresh Pesto for Finishing Touch 🌿
Make two batches of pesto: use one for marinating (can be cooked), and reserve fresh uncooked pesto to brush on skewers in the final 30 seconds for vibrant color and fresh basil flavor.
Cook Shrimp Until Just Opaque at the Center ⏱️
Cook for only 2-3 minutes per side until the flesh turns from translucent to opaque white; overcooking makes them rubbery, so use visual cues rather than timing alone.