Oven Baked Shrimp Skewers

These Oven Baked Shrimp Skewers are full of flavor from the cilantro lime marinade. It is loaded with fresh garlic, honey, and cumin. The shrimp cook in less than 10 minutes and are the perfect easy weeknight dinner.

If you do not have easy access to an outdoor grill, like me, these juicy shrimp kabobs in the oven are a great alternative to grilled kabobs, like my Oven Beef Kabobs.

If you prefer to use your grill for this recipe, I suggest finding a few yummy side dishes. Here are some suggestions on What To Serve With Grilled Shrimp.

In the summertime, I also love to make this Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe without Wine.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Green – The blended cilantro gives these tender shrimp their beautiful green color. 
• Sweet & tangy – The lime juice and honey pair so well together. 
• Easy – This shrimp recipe only takes about 7 minutes to cook. 
• Fresh – The fresh cilantro, lime juice, and garlic add vibrant summery flavors. 
• Oven-baked – These kabobs are cooked from start to finish in the oven. 
• Versatile – I usually bake these skewers, but you can also grill them outside or sear them on the stove. You also use metal or wooden skewers.
• Moist & tender – The lime juice tenderizes the shrimp so they come out super succulent.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Honey: If you do not like sweetness in your marinades, omit the honey. I love the taste of the honey with the tangy lime juice. 
• Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

How to Make Oven Baked Shrimp Skewers

Quick Overview

• Make the marinade.
• Marinate the shrimp.
• Skewer & bake. 
• Brush with butter.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: In a large food processor, add the cilantro, garlic, olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, honey, cumin, and salt. Blend until smooth.

Step 2: Remove about 2 Tablespoons of the cilantro marinade and whisk it into the small bowl of melted butter. Set aside.

Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the marinade and shrimp. Toss until well combined. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 30-60 minutes.

Step 4: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pierce the shrimp using the sharp end of the skewer.

Step 5: Repeat threading 5-6 shrimp per skewer. You should have about 6 kabobs.

Step 6: Bake for 7-8 minutes and broil if desired. Brush hot shrimp with butter sauce.

Recipe Serving Suggestions

These marinated shrimp skewers are delicious served as a heavy appetizer on their own or as a meal paired with any of these devious sides:

• Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad
• French Onion Macaroni & Cheese
• Mexican Red Rice Recipe
• Lebanese Potato Salad
• Easy Caesar Salad

Expert Tips & Variations

Bri’s Tips

• Dry the cilantro & shrimp. Removing excess water will prevent the marinade from becoming diluted. It will also help the shrimp to roast in the oven instead of steam. 
• Marinate. Allow the shrimp to marinate for at least 30 minutes (and for up to one hour) so they can absorb lots of flavor. 
• Do not overcook the shrimp. Depending on the shrimp size, you may need to reduce the cook time. I used 21/25 shrimp, which means that each pound has 21-25 shrimp. Shrimp is an extremely quick-cooking protein. The internal temperature only needs to be 140 degrees. If they are tough or rubbery, they were most likely overcooked. I recommend large or jumbo shrimp so they do not cook too fast. 
• Brush with butter. Everything is better with butter, right? The cilantro butter reinforces the flavor of the marinade and adds moisture. 
• Use leftover shrimp in a salad. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Leftover shrimp can dry out when reheated so I recommend eating them cold.

Variation Ideas

• Vegetables: If you would like to add veggies (like bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, zucchini, etc), I recommend skewering them separately from the shrimp. The vegetable skewers will take much longer to cook (about 15 minutes depending on how done you like them). You can reserve a few tablespoons of the shrimp marinade before tossing it with the shrimp to brush the veggie kabobs. 
• Lemon Parsley: Instead of cilantro, use fresh parsley (or a combination of other fresh herbs, like oregano, dill, thyme, etc). Swap the limes for fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Italian seasoning would also pair well with this flavor combination. 
• Heat/smokiness: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika to the food processor. 
• Grill: Grill the skewers for 2-3 minutes per side at 400-425 degrees. 
• Stove top: Heat a large skillet or grill pan with some oil or cooking spray over medium-high heat. Sear the skewers for about 2 minutes per side.

Recipe FAQs

More Main Dish Recipes

Chicken

Crispy Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Drumsticks (Legs)

Chicken

Oven Baked Chicken and Rice (One Pot)

Chicken

Stuffing Stuffed Chicken Breasts (Stove Top)

30 Minute Meals

Best Oven Baked Boneless Pork Chops (Juicy)

Shop my Amazon Storefront!