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 can’t get to a grill outside like I can’t, 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. [feast_advanced_jump_to]
Shrimp skewers make for a quick easy, and tasty meal or appetizer. Their appeal lies in the hands-off cooking method of simply popping them in the oven. But to get tender juicy shrimp encased in caramelized edges takes precision. Undercooked and they are chewy. Overcooked and they turn rubbery. The key is baking them at the right temperature for the perfect amount of time.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my tips and tricks for achieving shrimp skewer success through proper oven baking time and temperature. Let’s unlock the secrets to making these skewered shrimp sing with flavor and texture.
Overview of Baking Shrimp Skewers
There are a few factors that impact the cooking time needed for shrimp skewers
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Oven temperature – The hotter the oven, the less time needed. Typical oven range is 350°F to 425°F.
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Shrimp size – Large shrimp take longer than medium or small shrimp. Jumbo shrimp may need a couple minutes more.
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Quantity – More skewers require more oven time. Be sure not to overcrowd.
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Doneness – Cook just until opaque in the center. They will continue cooking once removed from the oven.
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Marinade or batter – Batters or heavy marinades add insulation, increasing cook time.
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Wood vs. metal skewers – Wood absorbs heat while metal transmits it, impacting cook time.
Follow my guide for the ideal baking times and temperatures for tender, juicy shrimp perfection.
Why Bake Shrimp Skewers?
There are several advantages to baking shrimp skewers in the oven versus other cooking methods:
Even cooking – The dry, ambient heat of the oven surrounds the shrimp on all sides, preventing over or undercooking.
Hands-off – Simply prep the skewers, pop them in the oven, and set a timer. No need to constantly flip or tend to them.
Caramelization – The high heat concentrates flavors and adds lovely browned bits.
Healthy – No added fat needed unlike frying or sautéing in oil or butter.
Easy – Minimal prep and clean up. Skewers go right on the baking sheet.
Versatile – Bake plain, seasoned, or with sauces and marinades.
How to Bake Shrimp Skewers to Perfection
Follow my foolproof method for baking succulent shrimp skewers every time.
1. Preheat oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F-425°F. The typical target temperature is 400°F which creates a nice sear while cooking the interior. Higher heats speed up cook time.
2. Prep skewers
Thread peeled, deveined shrimp onto skewers, alternating directions. Brush with oil or marinade and season if desired. Metal skewers transmit heat best but wooden ones won’t burn or char.
3. Arrange skewers
Place skewers in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet without overcrowding. Ensure ample space between each for even cooking.
4. Cook
Bake for 5-8 minutes based on size. Generally, aim for 7 minutes for medium shrimp. Check for doneness and rotate halfway through. Large jumbo shrimp may take up to 10 minutes.
5. Rest
Let the shrimp skewers rest 1-2 minutes before serving. The residual heat from the hot pan will finish cooking them.
Baking Time Chart Based on Shrimp Size
Use these guidelines to determine the optimal baking time based on shrimp size:
- Small – 5 to 6 minutes
- Medium – 6 to 7 minutes
- Large – 8 to 9 minutes
- Jumbo – 9 to 10 minutes
Always account for variances in oven temp, quantity of skewers, and whether using wood vs. metal skewers. Check doneness early and adjust time as needed.
Checking for Doneness
Shrimp cook quickly so vigilance is a must. Look for these signs of perfect doneness:
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Opaque and pinkish in color throughout
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Firm and plump, not rubbery or mushy
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Translucent gray strip along back has turned white
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Flakes easily when poked with a fork
Immediately remove any undercooked skewers and return the rest to the oven for a minute or two more if needed.
Helpful Baking Tips
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Brush shrimp with oil to prevent sticking and drying out.
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Cut shrimp in half lengthwise for quicker, more even cooking.
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Rotate pans and separate skewers midway through baking.
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Use a meat thermometer. Shrimp are done at 145°F-155°F.
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Always allow a resting period before eating for carryover cooking.
Wood vs. Metal Skewers
Wooden skewers need to be soaked in water first to prevent burning. They are inexpensive and won’t conduct much heat but provide a nice presentation.
Metal skewers quickly transfer heat for faster, more even cooking. Stainless steel and aluminum work best and won’t rust or corrode.
Extra Flavor Boosters
Take your shrimp skewers from boring to sensational with these easy flavor additions:
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Marinades – Soak shrimp in teriyaki, barbecue, jerk or other wet marinades before skewering.
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Rubs – Coat shrimp with Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, or other dry spice rubs.
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Sauces – Brush skewers with honey glaze, chimichurri, pesto, or flavorful butter sauces before or after baking.
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Herbs – Stuff shrimp with fresh herb leaves like basil, cilantro, dill, or parsley.
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Citrus – Top grilled shrimp with zest and juice of lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruit.
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Fruits/Veggies – Alternate shrimp with pieces of mango, pineapple, bell pepper, cherry tomato, or onion.
Pairings for Shrimp Skewers
Bake up a full meal by serving these easy shrimp skewers with:
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Rice – Cilantro lime, coconut, risotto, fried rice
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Pasta – Linguine, spaghetti, angel hair
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Grains – Quinoa, couscous, polenta
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Veggies – Grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, salad
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Bread – Garlic bread, dinner rolls, flatbread
Questions and Answers
Still have questions about achieving baked shrimp skewer greatness? Here are answers to some common queries:
Q: Can I reuse wooden skewers?
A: It’s not recommended as they absorb odors and degrade over time. Use new wood skewers each time for food safety.
Q: How do I prevent shrimp from sticking to the skewers?
A: Brush lightly with oil before cooking. Choose metal vs wood skewers which have less surface drag.
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp on skewers?
A: Yes, thaw them first. Pat dry well so any ice crystals don’t cause them to steam vs sear.
Q: Why do my shrimp turn out rubbery?
A: This happens if they are overcooked. Be vigilant with cooking times and check for doneness early on.
Q: How can I add more flavor?
A: Marinate beforehand or brush with sauce after baking. Season generously with fresh herbs, spices, citrus, garlic, etc.
Putting It All Together
From prep to bake time to rested finish, achieving tender and flavorful oven-baked shrimp skewers is easy
Expert Tips & Variations
- Dry the cilantro & shrimp. Removing excess water will prevent the marinade from becoming diluted. Also, roasting the shrimp in the oven instead of steaming them will help them taste better.
- Marinate. Don’t cook the shrimp right away; let them soak up a lot of flavor for at least 30 minutes and up to an hour.
- Do not overcook the shrimp. The cook time may need to be cut short depending on the size of the shrimp. I used 21/25 shrimp, which means there are 21–25 shrimp in every pound. Shrimp is an extremely quick-cooking protein. The internal temperature only needs to be 140 degrees. If they are tough or sticky, they were probably cooked too long. I suggest big or extra-large shrimp so they don’t cook too quickly.
- Brush with butter. You know that everything tastes better with butter, right? The cilantro butter makes the marinade taste better and adds moisture.
- Use leftover shrimp in a salad. Keep leftovers in the fridge for two to three days in a container that won’t let air in. Shrimp that has been saved can get dry when heated up, so I suggest eating them cold.
- Fruits and vegetables: If you want to add vegetables like bell pepper, red onion, mushrooms, zucchini, etc., I suggest skewering them separately from the shrimp. It will take about 15 minutes to cook the vegetable skewers, depending on how done you like them. You can brush the vegetable kabobs with a few tablespoons of the marinade that you saved before you mixed it with the shrimp.
- Lemon Parsley: Use fresh parsley (or a mix of other fresh herbs like oregano, dill, thyme, etc.) instead of cilantro. Swap the limes for fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. Italian seasoning would also pair well with this flavor combination.
- For heat or smoke, put a little cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika in the food processor.
- On a grill, cook the skewers for two to three minutes on each side at 400 to 425 degrees.
- On the stove, heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat with cooking spray or oil. Sear the skewers for about 2 minutes per side.
No. Since these cook so fast, it is not necessary. You can also use metal skewers.
It will take about 5-6 minutes.
For grilling, I recommend about 400-425 degrees.
Put the sharp end of the skewer through the head first, and keep going until it’s through the tail. The shrimp should be secured in two places so they do not move around.
The shrimp will turn pink and curl into a ‘c’ shape. The internal temperature will be 140 degrees.
How to Make Oven Baked Shrimp Skewers
- Make the marinade.
- Marinate the shrimp.
- Skewer & bake.
- Brush with butter.
OVEN BAKED SHRIMP SKEWERS
How long to cook shrimp skewers in oven?
Thread shrimp onto skewers and place skewers onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake shrimp just until pink and cooked through, about 4-6 minutes. Cooking time depends on the size of the shrimp and the oven. Keyword oven shrimp skewers, shrimp, shrimp on skewers in oven, shrimp recipe, shrimp skewers, shrimp skewers in oven, shrimp skewers oven
How long do you cook shrimp in the oven?
Let shrimp marinate for 20-30 minutes. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with a cooking spray. Thread shrimp onto skewers and place skewers onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake shrimp just until pink and cooked through, about 4-6 minutes. Cooking time depends on the size of the shrimp and the oven.
How do you cook shrimp kabobs in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pierce the shrimp using the sharp end of the skewer. Repeat threading 5-6 shrimp per skewer. You should have about 6 kabobs. Bake for 7-8 minutes and broil if desired. Brush hot shrimp with butter sauce.
How do you reheat shrimp skewers?
Storing: Place leftover shrimp skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), place the skewers on a baking sheet, and heat for about 5 minutes or until warmed through. I don’t recommend reheating in the microwave because the shrimp can become rubbery.