Grilled Shrimp Skewers (Korean)

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These easy Grilled Shrimp Skewers, or Shrimp Kabobs, are quite versatile. If you’re looking for a nice appetizer to serve your guests, grab some small skewers, and make these shrimp. If you’re on the hunt for a healthy, quick family meal and easy recipe, make this Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe.

These are great for a neighborhood Cookout, BBQ, your portable grill camping, outdoor grill, cooking on a broiler, gas grill, grill pan, or air fryer, and for when you want a zesty seafood recipe to enjoy.

And this unique Korean marinade made with Gochujang is full of bold flavor, but you can always try other marinades to your taste. 

Peeps, I just looooove grilling during summer. Check out some of the other wonderful grilling creations we’ve been enjoying, like our coconut Grilled Chicken Skewers, or Coconut Grilled Chicken Salad, or rather delicious Grilled Mackerel.

What Is Korean Gochujang?

Gochujang is an ingredient common in Korean recipes that is a sweet, savory and spicy flavoring. It’s also known as Korean red pepper and is a thick chili paste made from chili pepper flakes. It really brings a unique flavor that you’ll love. Check it out on my Slow Cooker Short Ribs– it’s amaaaaazing.

Why Make This Recipe

• Who doesn’t love anything grilled on a stick? And shrimp on skewers, yes please.
• Dinner on the table in under 15 minutes.
• Simple and quick, yet different recipe for your entertaining.
• Versatile meal that you can change up for different flavors every time.

Ingredient Notes

• Shrimp – this uses raw shrimp especially peeled cleaned jumbo shrimp. If you have unpeeled shrimp, you would need to peel it first.
• Korean Gochujang – Add more or less Korean red pepper paste to your taste.
• Soy sauce – To keep this gluten free, use gluten free soy sauce. But if not then you can use regular soy sauce.
• Honey – Honey adds a touch of sweetness but you can use maple syrup instead.
• Flavorings – Minced garlic and red pepper flakes and lemon juice complete this. Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottles and you can use a little lime juice instead.
• Oil – This use olive oil but you can use other oil like peanut or canola oil.

How To Grill Shrimp Skewers

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using.
2. Mix together olive oil, soy sauce, honey,  Korean Gochujang, lemon juice, garlic and red pepper flakes if using, in a large bowl.
3. Add the peeled shrimp to the bowl and mix until coated.
4. You can cook straight away or leave to marinate the shrimp. If marinating, marinate for 30 minutes up to 2 hours ahead. Thread the shrimp (about 5) to each soaked skewer.
5. Preheat the grill (or charcoal grill), broiler or griddle pan to medium high heat, oil the grates and grill the marinated shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side or until opaque.
6. Transfer skewers to a plate and serve immediately with lime wedges or lemon wedges.

Make In The Air Fryer

1. Create the skewers as you did in the instructions above using steps 1-4.
2. Preheat Air Fryer to 350 degrees F /1 80 degrees C. Place shrimp in the Air Fryer, making sure the skewers don’t touch. 
3. Cook for 5-8 minutes, turning skewers halfway through the cook time. Since air fryer temperatures can vary, start with less time and then add more as needed.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t marinate for more than a couple of hours as the shrimp might slowly start cooking in the marinade. But do try and let them marinate for at least 30-60 minutes.
• Make sure the shrimp is peeled before marinating so that the marinade goes in.
• It’s better to use large shrimp so they don’t fall between the grates while cooking and so they cook evenly since shrimp cook so quickly. 
• These cook quickly so keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook.
• Cook shrimp of the same size together as much as possible.
• I recommend oiling the grill grates before turning on the grill if you can so you don’t get shrimp stuck on. 
• Metal skewers are great for grilling because they transmit heat well.
• Flat skewers are ideal for grilling shrimp so they don’t twirl around the round skewer.  
• No time to soak the shrimp before marinating? No problem. Use grill plates to help keep the shrimp plump and juicy. 

Recipe Variations

Korean Grilled Shrimp Skewers are sooooo versatile. Here are just a few ways you can customize to suit your taste;

• Change out the shrimp size: While using the biggest shrimp you can get is always optimal, you can change out the size of the shrimp if needed. 
• Add in some quick cook vegetables: Grilled veggies such as zucchini, mushrooms, onion, or peppers make a great addition.
• Try out a different marinade: Pomegranate Harissa marinade, any of these different homemade marinades, or whatever your favorite is. A simple alternative is garlic shrimp skewers with a fresh garlic or garlic powder and olive oil marinade
• Vary the amount of ingredients to your taste: Like more heat? Add more gochujang. Like more sweet? Increase the honey.
• Toppings – top with fresh herbs like fresh parsley for extra taste and color.
• Vary spices – skip the Korean and go for different flavorings including Italian seasoning, chili flakes, smoked paprika, etc.
• Add zest – lime or lemon zest makes a great addition. garlic shrimp skewers

Prep Ahead And Storage

• Prep Ahead – This recipe is so easy to make on the grill. Keep in mind the longer you marinate them, the more flavorful they are!
• Store – Store cooled cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
• Freeze – You can freeze the uncooked shrimp in the grilled shrimp marinade. Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this. Transfer shrimp and marinade into freezer bags. Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags. Label the bags and store them flat in the freezer for three months.
• Freeze cooked shrimp – Freeze cooked shrimp, within 2 hours in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

FAQs

More Kabob, Skewers and Grilling Recipes

Want more grilling recipes and shrimp recipes. Then try these below

• Grilled Chicken Tenders
• Grilled Chicken Salad
• Honey Bourbon Grilled Chicken Thighs
• Grilled Mackerel
• Grilled Shrimp Skewers
• Grilled Shrimp Salad
• Grilled Lamb Kabobs
• Grilled Lamb Tacos
• Stuffed Grilled Avocado
• Easy Grilled Peaches
• Best Grilled Broccoli
• Air Fryer Veggie Kabobs
• Cilantro Lime Shrimp Skewers
• Easy Watermelon Skewers.
• Bacon and Chicken Skewers.
• And awesome Air Fryer Salmon Fillets just because.

Serving Suggestions

So many rice pilaf, wedge salad, dipping sauce and more!

• Instant Pot Hibachi Fried Rice.
• Air Fryer Corn On The Cob.
• Crispy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes.

Weight Watchers Points 

There are 2 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Tools You Need 

• Mixing bowls.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Bamboo skewers or metal ones
• A grill.
• An Air Fryer if prefer.
• An instant read digital thermometer.

Thank you for reading my Korean Grilled Shrimp Skewers recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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