Easy Grilled Satay Shrimp Skewers: Your Go-To Recipe for Flavorful Peanut Sauce Perfection
Easy Grilled Satay Shrimp Skewers are a culinary revelation, smothered in the BEST 10-minute Thai-style peanut sauce. This dish promises an explosion of flavor with minimal effort, making it an absolute must-try for any seafood lover or anyone seeking a quick, impressive meal.
We all have those moments when a craving hits, but deciding what to eat feels impossible. Look no further! These Satay Shrimp Skewers are the answer you’ve been searching for. At Cafe Delites, we’ve explored the delicious world of skewers with favorites like Easy Japanese Chicken Yakitori and Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp Pineapple Skewers. Now, it’s time to embrace the classic, deeply satisfying flavors of satay, reimagined with succulent shrimp.
The Irresistible Charm of Satay Shrimp
While traditional satay often features beef or chicken, like our popular Easy Satay Chicken, there’s something truly special about jumbo-sized shrimp bathed in a rich, creamy Thai-style peanut sauce. This combination elevates the humble shrimp to an extraordinary level. The tender, juicy texture of perfectly grilled shrimp, coupled with the complex, sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes of the satay sauce, creates an unforgettable experience. Trust us, you might find yourself wanting to drink the sauce straight from the bowl – it’s *that* good!
These skewers have become a regular fixture in our kitchen, appearing every few days because they are simply irresistible. Even with icy cold weather and the possibility of snow outside, these Satay Shrimp Skewers bring a taste of summer to the table. Much like our Garlic Butter Shrimp Boil, this dish is incredibly quick to prepare and even quicker to devour, making it an ideal choice for a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend.
The Secret Weapon: Our 10-Minute Thai-Style Peanut Sauce
The true star of this recipe is undoubtedly the peanut sauce. What makes it so amazing? It takes mere minutes to prepare, but its flavor profile is deep, rich, and incredibly satisfying. Not only does this versatile sauce serve as the perfect dipping accompaniment, but it also doubles as the essential pre-coating and basting sauce for your shrimp. There’s absolutely no need to fuss with making two separate batches of different sauces to achieve this incredible result.
Imagine perfectly plump shrimp generously coated in a thick, creamy, and aromatic sauce before hitting the grill. This ingenious method infuses every bite with that signature Thai satay flavor. The simplicity is brilliant: one sauce, multiple applications, maximum impact. The visual alone – that thick, luscious sauce clinging to the shrimp – is enough to make your mouth water!
Quick & Easy: A Weeknight Meal Dream
One of the biggest advantages of these Satay Shrimp Skewers is their incredible speed and ease of preparation. Unlike many recipes that require extensive marinating, these shrimp are ready to cook almost immediately after being coated in our flavorful peanut sauce. The sauce itself provides such an intense burst of flavor that prolonged marination simply isn’t necessary. If you have extra time and truly wish to marinate, you certainly can, but for those busy evenings when patience is in short supply, this recipe is a lifesaver.
From start to finish, you can have a delicious, restaurant-quality meal on the table in about 20 minutes, including both prep and cook time. This makes it an ideal option for anyone looking for a healthy, flavorful, and fast dinner solution. The simplicity of ingredients combined with the straightforward cooking method ensures that even novice cooks can achieve perfect results every time.
Grilling Your Perfect Satay Shrimp Skewers: Tips for Success
Choosing Your Skewers: Wooden vs. Metal
Whether you opt for wooden or metal skewers, both will work beautifully. If using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the shrimp. This crucial step prevents them from burning and charring excessively over the hot grill, ensuring your focus remains on perfectly cooked shrimp, not burnt sticks. Metal skewers, of course, do not require this pre-soaking step and are reusable, making them a convenient option.
Prepping and Coating the Shrimp
Start with 1.3 pounds of jumbo-sized shrimp, ensuring they are washed and deveined. You can leave the tails on for presentation and easier handling, or remove them if preferred. Once your Easy Satay Dipping Sauce is prepared, set aside about 4 tablespoons in a separate bowl. This portion will be used later for basting. Take the remaining sauce and generously coat your shrimp in a shallow dish, ensuring every piece is thoroughly covered in that delightful flavor.
The Grilling Process
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, or if using a stovetop, heat a grill pan over medium heat. Thread about 4 shrimp onto each prepared skewer. Before placing them on the grill, pour another 2-4 tablespoons of the reserved sauce over each skewer, rotating them to ensure a second generous coating. This layering of sauce is key to maximizing flavor.
Grill the skewers for approximately 2-3 minutes per side. As you grill, continuously baste the shrimp with the 4 tablespoons of sauce you initially set aside. This constant application of warm, savory peanut sauce helps to caramelize the exterior and lock in moisture. Cook until the shrimp are just cooked through and are no longer transparent, turning a beautiful pink color. Be vigilant not to overcook them, as shrimp can quickly become rubbery if left on the heat for too long.
Serving Suggestions & Flavor Boosters
Once your Satay Shrimp Skewers are perfectly grilled, transfer them to serving plates. The full Thai experience comes alive with the right garnishes and accompaniments. Serve with the untouched dipping sauce on the side for an extra flavor boost. Generously sprinkle with fresh cilantro leaves and crushed peanuts, adding a delightful crunch and herbaceous note. For a zesty finish, serve with fresh lime wedges to squeeze over the skewers, and for those who love a little heat, add a scattering of thinly sliced red chilies. These small additions truly elevate the dish, bringing vibrant colors and complementary flavors to every bite.
These skewers pair wonderfully with a side of fluffy jasmine rice, a light cucumber salad, or even a simple fresh green salad. They are also fantastic as an appetizer for a party or a flavorful protein component in a larger meal. Their versatility and captivating taste make them a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
More Shrimp-tastic Ideas from Our Kitchen
If you’ve fallen in love with these Satay Shrimp Skewers and are looking for more ways to enjoy this delicious seafood, you’re in luck! We share your passion for shrimp and have an array of other fantastic recipes that are just as easy and flavorful:
- Browned Butter Honey Lime Shrimp: A sweet, tangy, and rich dish that’s incredibly quick to prepare.
- Oven Fried Beer Batter Crumbed Shrimp: Achieve crispy, golden perfection without the deep-frying mess.
- Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp Pineapple Skewers: A delightful combination of sweet pineapple and savory shrimp, perfect for grilling.
- Spicy Shrimp Fajitas: Sizzling and full of flavor, these fajitas are a fantastic option for a Mexican-inspired meal.
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Grilled Satay Shrimp Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 Easy Satay Dipping Sauce See notes
- 1.3 pounds jumbo-sized shrimp washed and deveined, tails on or off
- 1 tablespoon coriander leaves to serve
- 1 tablespoon crushed peanuts to serve
- 4 lime wedges to serve
- 1 red chilli sliced
Instructions
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If using wooden skewers, soak 8 skewers in water for 30 minutes to reduce sticks burning over the heat.
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Prepare the Easy Satay Dipping Sauce.
Once slightly thickened, take off heat and allow to cool slightly. Pour out 4 tablespoons of satay sauce into a large, shallow dish. Add the shrimp and coat evenly.
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Preheat grill to medium / high heat, OR alternatively, heat a grill pan on stove top over medium heat.
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Skewer 4 shrimp on each prepared skewer; arrange on a baking tray / sheet until ready to cook. Pour 2-4 more tablespoons of sauce over each skewer, rotating in the sauce to completely cover the shrimp.
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Pour out about 4 tablespoons of sauce into a bowl for basting. Grill skewers for about 2-3 minutes per side, basting with all of the separated sauce from the bowl before rotating, until just cooked through and no longer transparent. (Be careful not to overcook them or they become rubbery).
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Transfer onto serving plates and serve with the untouched dipping sauce. Garnish with cilantro leaves, peanuts, lime wedges and chilli slices!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
