Name: Lemon Pepper Grilled Shrimp
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 Lemons - Zest and Juice {about 1 tablespoon of zest and 2-3 tablespoon juice}; 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder {or 1 clove finely minced Garlic}; 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper; 1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper - more or less depending on heat preference.; 1/4 teaspoon Salt; 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 1 lb Jumbo Shrimp - peeled and deveined

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Lemon Pepper Grilled Shrimp and Veggies - summer is grilling season and this simple meal made with a fresh lemon pepper seasoning blend is the perfect combo for a hot summer day.

Living in South Florida, it's grilling season year-round. My husband and I also work from home, so firing up the grill for a quick lunch is not uncommon in our house. This simple lemon pepper grilled shrimp is excellent for a quick meal, and the seasoning blend adds a light and fresh flavor to any grilled meat. The recipe below is for shrimp, but try it on fish, chicken, or steak.

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Fresh lemon zest helps this dish stand out by brightening the flavor of the meat or veggies. What you'll need to make this marinade:

Lemon - zest and juice
Fresh minced or granulated Garlic
Salt
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes - Optional
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Toss the shrimp or protein of choice in the marinade to thoroughly coat. Allow the shrimp to marinate on the counter for 15 minutes while the grill preheats.

6 raw shrimp on a metal skewer seasoned with lemon pepper seasoning

Tip for marinating meats in lemon juice - Lemon juice works as a flavor booster and tenderizer in marinades, but leaving meat in citrus juice for too long can have the opposite effect. The citrus will start to cook the meat during the marinade. Heat is still needed to kill any bacteria, but the marinade can cause the meat to become tough or rubbery. If preparing this dish several hours in advance, combine all the ingredients listed above, minus the juice - you'll want to include the zest! Once ready to cook, mix in the citrus juice and allow to sit for a few minutes while the meat comes to room temp.

Tips for Buying and Grilling Shrimp

Use jumbo shrimp for grilling.
If you're not able to find shrimp fresh from the ocean, opt for frozen. The thawed shrimp in the seafood case in the grocery store are likely frozen and thawed. Most commercial shrimp is frozen directly on the boat, so you get the freshest shrimp possible.
Shell and devein the shrimp before cooking. The tails can be left on if you prefer. I found it easier to eat without the tails.
If using wooden skewers, soak for at least 30 minutes before cooking to prevent burning.

close up of a grilled shrimp on a metal skewer

Dishes to Serve with Grilled Shrimp

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