Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers
If you’re craving a meal that bursts with flavor, combines surf and turf, and is perfect for warm-weather gatherings, you’ve come to the right place. Our Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers recipe is a guaranteed showstopper. Juicy chunks of tender steak and succulent shrimp get marinated to perfection and grilled to smoky, charred goodness. Whether it’s a spontaneous backyard BBQ or a simple weekday dinner, this dish brings excitement to the table every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect surf and turf combo: Blends the rich, hearty flavor of steak with the light, sweet taste of shrimp for an unbeatable duo.
- Quick to prepare: You can have this delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
- Highly versatile: Easily adaptable with different marinades, veggies, or seasonings to suit your taste buds.
- Great for socializing: Skewers are so fun to eat and perfect for gatherings where everyone can build their own.
- Healthy and balanced: Combines protein-packed steak and shrimp with fresh vegetables, making it both satisfying and nutritious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering straightforward but flavorful components is key to mastering these grilled steak and shrimp skewers. Each ingredient plays a pivotal role—whether it’s boosting taste, adding texture, or bringing vibrant colors to your plate.
- Steak: Use a tender cut like sirloin or ribeye, cut into bite-sized cubes for even grilling and maximum juiciness.
- Shrimp: Fresh or thawed large shrimp, peeled and deveined, providing that delicate seafood burst.
- Bell peppers: Choose a mix of red, yellow, and green for a pop of bright color and subtle sweetness.
- Red onion: Adds a mild sharpness and savory depth when grilled.
- Olive oil: Helps carry flavors in the marinade and keeps everything juicy on the grill.
- Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the skewers with irresistible aromatic notes.
- Lemon juice: Offers zest and acidity to balance the richness of the steak and shrimp.
- Smoked paprika: Adds a smoky warmth that complements the grilled char perfectly.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance natural flavors.
- Fresh parsley: For a bright, herbal finish when serving.
Variations for Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers
Don’t hesitate to get creative! This recipe is incredibly flexible, making it easy to tailor to your dietary needs or flavor preferences. Swap ingredients or tweak marinades to keep things fresh and exciting.
- Spicy kick: Add cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the marinade for a bold, fiery twist.
- Asian-inspired: Substitute lemon juice with lime and toss in soy sauce, ginger, and a touch of honey for an umami-packed glaze.
- Vegetarian option: Replace steak and shrimp with firm tofu and hearty mushrooms for a plant-based version.
- Herb-infused: Incorporate fresh rosemary, thyme, or cilantro for a fragrant and colorful upgrade.
- Citrus marinade: Combine orange juice with lemon and lime for a bright, tangy profile that complements the seafood perfectly.
How to Make Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
Start by combining olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk until well blended; this mixture will tenderize the meat while adding layers of flavor.
Step 2: Marinate the Steak and Shrimp
Place the cubed steak and peeled shrimp into separate shallow dishes or ziplock bags. Pour half the marinade over the steak and half over the shrimp. Cover or seal, then refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, allowing them to soak in the flavors.
Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables
While the meat marinates, chop the bell peppers and red onion into pieces that match the size of the meat chunks. This ensures everything cooks evenly on the skewers.
Step 4: Assemble the Skewers
Thread the steak, shrimp, bell peppers, and onions alternately onto soaking wooden or metal skewers. This interspersing delivers a perfect bite with a balance of textures and colors.
Step 5: Preheat the Grill
Heat your grill to medium-high and oil grates to prevent sticking. This step guarantees those classic sear marks and smoky flavor everyone loves.
Step 6: Grill the Skewers
Place the assembled skewers on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, rotating until both steak and shrimp are cooked through and lightly charred.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Remove the skewers from the grill, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot with your favorite sides or dipping sauces.
Pro Tips for Making Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers
- Choose the right cuts: Select tender steak cuts that cook quickly to avoid toughness.
- Don’t overcook shrimp: Shrimp cook fast and become rubbery if left too long; watch the clock carefully.
- Soak wooden skewers: Prevent burning by soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading.
- Let meat rest: Allow the skewers to rest a few minutes after grilling to lock in juices and maximize tenderness.
- Preheat grill thoroughly: Ensuring a hot grill before cooking helps achieve the perfect sear and flavor.
How to Serve Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers
Garnishes
Top your skewers with freshly chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon, or a sprinkle of coarse sea salt to elevate the flavors and add freshness.
Side Dishes
Serve with grilled vegetables, a crisp green salad, or fluffy rice pilaf for a balanced and satisfying meal that complements the robust skewers perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange skewers on rustic wooden boards, add colorful dipping sauces in small bowls, or serve over a bed of couscous or quinoa for an eye-catching and Instagram-worthy display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place unused grilled steak and shrimp skewers in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days, ensuring they stay flavorful and safe to eat.
Freezing
If you want to save skewers for longer, separate the cooked pieces from the sticks, store in freezer-safe bags, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftover skewers in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or briefly on a grill or stovetop to regain that fresh-grilled taste.
FAQs
Can I prepare the skewers ahead of time?
Yes! You can marinate the steak and shrimp up to 2 hours in advance and assemble the skewers right before grilling for convenience.
What cuts of steak work best for this recipe?
Sirloin, ribeye, or strip steaks are ideal choices because they remain tender and juicy when grilled quickly on skewers.
How do I prevent shrimp from sticking to the grill?
Ensure your grill is hot and well-oiled before placing the skewers. Also, soaking wooden skewers in water helps reduce sticking and burning.
Can I substitute the shrimp with other seafood?
Absolutely! Large scallops or firm fish chunks like swordfish can be excellent alternatives, grilled with the same marinade and method.
Is it necessary to soak wooden skewers?
Yes, soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes prevents them from catching fire on the grill, ensuring safe, even cooking.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers that brings people together around the grill with smiles and satisfied appetites. The perfect balance between juicy steak and tender shrimp, combined with vibrant vegetables and a flavorful marinade, makes this recipe a summer favorite you’ll return to again and again. Give it a try at your next meal—you won’t regret it!
Related Posts
PrintGrilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers
Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers combine juicy, tender steak chunks and succulent shrimp marinated in a flavorful blend of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and smoked paprika. Perfect for warm-weather gatherings or quick weekday dinners, these skewers offer a delicious surf and turf experience with vibrant bell peppers and red onion. Easy to prepare, highly versatile, and packed with protein, this recipe is sure to impress and satisfy.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Meat and Seafood
- 1 pound sirloin or ribeye steak, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 medium red onion, cut into chunks
Marinade
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well blended. This marinade tenderizes the meat while layering flavors.
- Marinate the Steak and Shrimp: Place cubed steak and peeled shrimp into separate shallow dishes or ziplock bags. Divide the marinade in half and pour over the steak and shrimp respectively. Cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to soak in the flavors.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Chop the red, yellow, and green bell peppers and red onion into chunks matching the size of the meat for even grilling.
- Assemble the Skewers: Alternate threading steak, shrimp, bell peppers, and onion pieces onto soaked wooden or metal skewers to create balanced bites of texture and flavor.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat grill to medium-high and oil the grates to prevent sticking, ensuring perfect sear marks and smoky taste.
- Grill the Skewers: Place skewers on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, rotating to cook evenly until steak is tender, shrimp is opaque, and edges are lightly charred.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove skewers from the grill, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve hot with your favorite sides or dipping sauces.
Notes
- Choose tender steak cuts like sirloin, ribeye, or strip steak for quick cooking and juicy results.
- Do not overcook shrimp to avoid rubbery texture; monitor grill times carefully.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before assembling to prevent burning.
- Allow grilled skewers to rest a few minutes after cooking to lock in juices and tenderness.
- Preheat grill thoroughly to achieve ideal searing and smoky flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (2 skewers)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: grilled steak skewers, shrimp skewers, surf and turf, summer BBQ, easy grilling recipe, healthy skewers, backyard grilling
