Mexican Shrimp Skewers

Big things are happening tomorrow and they involve chips, guacamole, margaritas and most importantly these Mexican Shrimp Skewers with Corn Salsa!

A wooden board with grilled mexican shrimp skewers with a bowl of corn salsa and lime wedges, along with a plate to serve and two beers next to it.


 

Why I Love This Recipe

After this past weekend I'm ready for summer. I've forgotten all about spring and I'm heading straight into grilling season. Someone pour me a margarita and I'll man the grill. These Mexican Shrimp Skewers with Corn Salsa are the perfect thing to eat on a sunny and gorgeous day. The shrimp is marinated in a little citrus spicy situation and then grilled and served with a corn cotija salsa. Kinda almost like a elote corn, but a bit lighter!

And... like so many of my recipes - they do double duty! They can act as a perfect appetizer - or you can serve them up alongside some flour tortillas and a giant bowl of guacamole and make your own taco guac wrap situation. Basically you can't go wrong with these!! And make a double batch of the Corn Salsa because you'll want it on everything forever and ever!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Mise en place of all the ingredients to make mexican shrimp skewers with corn salsa.
For the Shrimp
  • Peeled Deveined Shrimp
  • Olive Oil
  • Cilantro
  • Lemon Zest
  • Garlic
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper freshly cracked
For the Corn Salsa
  • Fresh Corn cut from the cob
  • Cotija Cheese
  • Cilantro
  • Fresh Lime Juice
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper freshly cracked

*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.

How to Make Mexican Shrimp Skewers

A small glass mixing bowl with olive oil, cilantro, lemon zest, garlic and red pepper flakes.

Step 1: In a medium bowl combine the olive oil, cilantro, lemon zest, garlic, red pepper flakes and stir to combine.

A small glass mixing bowl with an oil and herb mixture, and raw deveined peeled shrimp tossed in it and coated.

Step 2: Season with salt and pepper and add the shrimp and coat thoroughly.

A baking sheet with raw seasoned shrimp threaded on to skewers.

Step 3: Thread the seasoned shrimp on metal or soaked wooden skewers. Lay shrimp skewers on an oiled barbecue or grill pan over high heat.

A small glass mixing bowl with corn, cotija, cilantro and fresh lime juice, along with salt and black pepper to make corn salsa.

Step 4: Combine the ingredients for the corn topping in a medium bowl and toss to combine. Serve alongside the shrimp + extra lime wedges.

A baking sheet with grilled shrimp skewers, along with a glass bowl of corn salsa, and another one with lime wedges.

Step 5: Cook the shrimp, turning once, until shrimp are bright pink and opaque, about 5 to 6 minutes total. Remove and serve with the corn cotija topping.

How to Store Mexican Shrimp Skewers

You can store these in the fridge for 3-4 days. They could get dry, so be careful when warming up to not overheat them.

How to Freeze Mexican Shrimp Skewers

You can freeze this shrimp for 2-3 months. I do generally prefer freezing raw shrimp since the texture can sometimes become a bit rubbery or dry. I recommend taking these off the skewers and freezing them. You can thaw them overnight in the fridge.

Tips & Tricks

They can act as a perfect appetizer – or you can serve them up alongside some flour tortillas and a giant bowl of guacamole and make your own taco guac wrap situation.

A wooden board with grilled mexican shrimp skewers with a bowl of corn salsa and lime wedges, along with a plate to serve and two beers next to it, along with a couple hands taking the skewers and beer.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes you can! Just thaw it in the fridge overnight, so you can easily season it in step 1, thread it on and it cooks more evenly. If you absolutely forget to do that, it is also possible to cook it from frozen.

What other dips can I pair these with?

There is so much- try pairing these up with my chipotle salsa, guacamole, or the pineapple salsa.

Similar Recipes

If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today

Shrimp Skewers with Corn Salsa

Author: Gaby Dalkin
5 from 1 vote
The "elote" salsa is what really makes these shrimp skewers come alive.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp

  • 2 to 2 ½ pounds peeled deveined shrimp (12 to 15 per lb.), rinsed and drained
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 cloves garlic roughly chopped
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

For the Corn Salsa

  • 1 cup fresh corn cut from the cob
  • ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • fresh lime juice to taste
  • kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl combine the olive oil, cilantro, lemon zest, garlic, red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper and add the shrimp and coat thoroughly.
  • Thread the seasoned shrimp on metal or soaked wooden skewers
  • Lay shrimp skewers on an oiled barbecue or grill pan over high heat. Cook, turning once, until shrimp are bright pink and opaque, about 5 to 6 minutes total. Remove and serve with the corn cotija topping.
  • Combine the ingredients for the corn topping in a medium bowl and toss to combine. Serve alongside the shrimp + extra lime wedges.

Notes

They can act as a perfect appetizer – or you can serve them up alongside some flour tortillas and a giant bowl of guacamole and make your own taco guac wrap situation.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 232mg | Sodium: 247mg | Potassium: 436mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 1mg
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Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking

13 Comments

  1. This was fabulous! I skipped the salsa because my husband is not a fan of corn, and I added 1/2 tsp easy of chili powder and cumin--so amazing and flavorful! This is definitely a keeper recipe.

  2. I love how the ingredients are simple and minimal, I don't feel like I'm racking up a grocery bill to make something delicious and healthy. New Seasons here I come!

  3. Oh. My. Goodness. These skewers look insane! Let's get on with grilling season!

  4. Insant summer? Come on down and visit us in Florida! We have had summer since...January.

    Love this combination, but then again - I die for anything that includes corn and cilantro together!

  5. Holy Moly! These look delicious!!! Bring on summer grilling! And I LOVE your new vegetable roaster for the grill. Can't wait to get one myself.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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