Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers Recipe
Introduction
Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers combine the smoky flavor of charred shrimp with a tangy, buttery piccata sauce. This dish is quick to prepare and perfect for warm-weather gatherings or a simple, elegant weeknight meal.

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, 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 cup dry white wine
- 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
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 chopped garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil, half of the lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Toss everything together to coat the shrimp well and let 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 finely chopped shallots and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the drained capers and the remaining garlic, stirring until fragrant, about 2 more minutes.
- Step 4: Turn the heat up to medium-high and pour in the white wine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the wine reduces by about two-thirds, roughly 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and continue cooking until the liquid reduces by around three-quarters, about 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the butter, fresh parsley, and reserved lemon juice until the sauce is smooth and emulsified. Keep the sauce warm on low.
- Step 5: Prepare your grill for medium-high heat and preheat for about 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Thread the marinated shrimp onto the skewers and place them on the grill. Grill the shrimp for 3 to 4 minutes total, turning once halfway through, until they are nicely charred and cooked through. Transfer the shrimp skewers to a serving platter.
- Step 6: Grill the lemon slices, turning once, until they develop char marks, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Arrange the grilled lemon slices on the platter with the shrimp. Spoon the warm piccata sauce over the skewers and sprinkle with grated Parmesan before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Replace fresh rosemary with thyme for a different herbal note.
- Use metal skewers if you prefer not to soak wooden ones.
- For extra heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful piccata sauce.
Storage
Store leftover shrimp and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid overcooking the shrimp. The grilled lemon slices can be refrigerated and used within a day but are best fresh.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before marinating to ensure they cook evenly and the marinade sticks well.
What can I substitute for white wine in the sauce?
If you prefer not to use wine, substitute with an equal amount of low-sodium chicken broth mixed with a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice to maintain acidity and flavor balance.
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Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
These Grilled Shrimp Piccata Skewers feature large tail-on shrimp marinated with fresh rosemary, garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes, then grilled to perfection and served with a tangy caper and lemon piccata sauce. It’s a vibrant, flavorful seafood dish perfect for summer grilling or an elegant weeknight dinner.
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
- 2 tbsp. finely grated Parmesan
Other
- 6 to 7 (12″) wooden or metal skewers
- Extra lemon slices for grilling
Instructions
- Prepare Wooden Skewers and Marinate Shrimp. If using wooden skewers, soak them in warm water for at least 15 minutes to prevent burning on the grill. Meanwhile, pat the shrimp dry and place them in a large bowl. Add the chopped fresh rosemary, crushed red pepper flakes, half of the finely chopped garlic, 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil, half of the lemon zest, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the shrimp evenly. Let the shrimp marinate for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Prep Lemons. While the shrimp marinates, cut one lemon in half and juice one half, reserving the juice for the sauce. Slice the remaining 1 1/2 lemons into rounds to grill alongside the shrimp.
- Make the Piccata Sauce Base. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large stainless steel skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the finely chopped shallots and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Next, add the drained capers and the remaining half of the garlic. Continue cooking and stirring until the garlic is fragrant, approximately 2 minutes more.
- Reduce Liquids for Sauce. Increase the skillet heat to medium-high and pour in the dry white wine. Cook, stirring, until the wine reduces by about two-thirds, roughly 2 minutes. Add the low-sodium chicken broth and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until this mixture reduces by about three-quarters, about 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the unsalted butter, chopped fresh parsley, and the reserved lemon juice until the sauce is emulsified and well combined. Keep the sauce warm over low heat.
- Grill the Shrimp. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat for about 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grill grates well to prevent sticking. Thread the marinated shrimp onto the soaked wooden or metal skewers. Grill the shrimp skewers for 3 to 4 minutes total, turning once halfway through, until the shrimp are charred on both sides and cooked through. Transfer the cooked shrimp skewers to a serving platter.
- Grill Lemon Slices and Finish Dish. Place the lemon slices on the grill and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, turning halfway through, until nicely charred. Add the grilled lemon slices to the platter with the shrimp. Spoon the warm piccata sauce over the shrimp and lemon slices, then sprinkle the dish with finely grated Parmesan cheese to finish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Use fresh rosemary and parsley for the best flavor impact.
- Ensure not to overcook the shrimp; they cook quickly and become rubbery if overdone.
- Grilling the lemon slices adds a smoky depth to the dish.
- White wine can be substituted with extra chicken broth if desired for a non-alcoholic version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: grilled shrimp piccata, shrimp skewers, piccata sauce, lemon shrimp recipe, Italian shrimp grill, grilled seafood skewers

