Healthy Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Zesty Mango Salsa: The Ultimate Easy Summer Meal
Healthy Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Mango Salsa – an easy and flavorful main dish that’s the perfect summertime meal!
Embrace the vibrant flavors of summer with these incredibly delicious and healthy grilled shrimp skewers, perfectly complemented by a refreshing, zesty mango salsa. This recipe stands out as an ideal choice for any warm-weather gathering or simply a quick, nutritious weeknight dinner. Picture succulent shrimp, infused with a simple yet powerful garlic-lime marinade, kissed by the smoky char of the grill, and then paired with a bright, sweet, and slightly spicy mango salsa. It’s a symphony of textures and tastes that will transport your palate straight to a tropical paradise.
The moderate climate of Southern California often allows for year-round grilling, a culinary tradition that brings immense joy and ease to meal preparation. While grilling can sometimes seem intimidating, especially when it comes to meats that require precise timing, shrimp offers a remarkably straightforward and highly rewarding experience. Its rapid cooking time and clear visual cues make it a fantastic option for even novice grillers. The transformation from translucent gray to opaque pink is an unmistakable sign of perfection, ensuring tender, juicy results every time. This inherent ease makes grilled shrimp a go-to choice when you desire a gourmet-quality meal without the extensive fuss.
Why Grilled Shrimp Skewers Are a Summer Essential
There’s something undeniably appealing about food served on skewers. They’re fun, convenient, and make for an attractive presentation, whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or enjoying a casual family dinner. But beyond their visual appeal, these shrimp skewers offer a multitude of benefits. Shrimp is an excellent source of lean protein, low in calories, and packed with essential nutrients like selenium, vitamin B12, and phosphorus, making it a stellar choice for a healthy lifestyle. When simply prepared and grilled, it retains its natural sweetness and delicate texture, becoming a versatile canvas for a myriad of complementary flavors.
Our grilled shrimp recipe champions simplicity without sacrificing a single ounce of flavor. The marinade is a testament to the power of fresh, quality ingredients: rich extra virgin olive oil, pungent garlic, and invigorating fresh lime juice. This trio works in perfect harmony to tenderize the shrimp ever so slightly and infuse it with a savory depth that elevates its natural taste. A brief marinating period is all that’s needed to achieve maximum deliciousness, making this a perfect solution for those spontaneous summer evenings or when you need a quick dinner idea. The ergonomic design of threading shrimp onto skewers also translates to less time spent on complicated prep and more precious moments enjoying the beautiful weather and good company.
The Star of the Show: Zesty Mango Salsa
What truly elevates these healthy grilled shrimp skewers from simply good to absolutely extraordinary is the accompanying mango salsa. This vibrant, fresh, and incredibly easy-to-make condiment provides a burst of tropical flavor that perfectly balances the savory notes and smoky char of the grilled shrimp. It’s a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy elements, creating an unforgettable culinary experience that dances on the palate. The beautiful, contrasting colors of the salsa also add an appealing visual element to your plate, making every serving feel like a special occasion.
Crafting this incredible, flavorful salsa requires just a few readily available fresh ingredients: perfectly ripe, juicy mangoes, crisp green onions, zesty lime juice, fiery jalapeños (the amount can be adjusted based on your preferred level of heat), and fragrant, freshly chopped cilantro. The mango provides a luscious sweetness and a soft, yielding texture, delivering a tropical foundation. Green onions contribute a gentle oniony bite, adding an herbaceous freshness, while cilantro brings its distinctive bright, almost citrusy quality. The jalapeño introduces a welcome kick, ensuring the salsa is anything but bland and offers an exciting contrast. Finally, the fresh lime juice acts as a unifying agent, tying all the diverse flavors together with its essential tartness that brightens the entire concoction. This mango salsa is so versatile and addictive, you’ll find yourself wanting to put it on everything – it can be served generously spooned over the shrimp skewers or elegantly presented on the side for dipping.
Grilling Tips for Perfect Shrimp Every Time
Achieving perfectly grilled shrimp is far simpler than many might imagine. The core secret lies in mindful preparation and watchful cooking. Firstly, it’s crucial to ensure your wooden skewers have been adequately soaked in water for at least 15-30 minutes prior to grilling. This preventative measure helps prevent them from charring or burning excessively on the hot grill grates, ensuring your delicate shrimp stays securely in place throughout the cooking process. When threading the shrimp, try to arrange them evenly along the skewer; this promotes uniform cooking and consistent tenderness. A common mistake is overcrowding the skewers, so allow a little space between each shrimp for proper heat circulation.
For the grilling process itself, a preheated, hot grill is your most valuable ally. High heat is essential as it allows the shrimp to cook incredibly quickly, developing a beautiful, slightly charred sear on the exterior while keeping the interior moist and tender. This rapid cooking prevents them from becoming tough or rubbery, a common pitfall of overcooked shrimp. Shrimp cooks remarkably fast, typically requiring only about 2-3 minutes per side. You’ll instinctively know they are done when they visibly transform from their raw, translucent gray color to an opaque, vibrant pink and curl slightly into a ‘C’ shape. Avoid the temptation to leave them on the grill for too long; a quick check for firmness will confirm they are perfectly cooked and ready to be enjoyed with your vibrant homemade mango salsa. Remember, a perfectly cooked shrimp is plump, juicy, and full of flavor, making every bite a delight.
These grilled shrimp skewers are truly a healthy, effortless, and utterly delicious solution for any meal, whether it’s a casual weekday dinner or a special occasion. They are fantastic for entertaining because many components, like the marinade and the salsa, can be prepped in advance, allowing you to quickly cook the shrimp when guests arrive. Their vibrant flavors, light nature, and lean protein content also make them an incredibly popular choice for those seeking wholesome, fresh options without compromising on taste. Get ready to welcome summer with open arms and a batch of these mouth-watering grilled shrimp skewers!
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Mango Salsa
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Ingredients
- 5 Tbsp. olive oil
- 5 large cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice divided
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 pounds large shrimp shelled
- 6 wooden skewers soaked in water for 15 minutes
- SALSA:
- 1 bunch green onions thinly sliced
- 2 ripe mangoes peeled and chunked
- 2 jalapeños seeded and finely diced (or less depending on heat preferences)
- 1/2 of a bunch of cilantro leaves only, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Heat olive oil in medium saucepan over low heat. Add sliced garlic and cook until soft. Add 1 Tbsp. lime juice, pepper and salt. Let cool.
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Thread shrimp onto soaked skewers and place in a 9×13 pan (or something similar). Pour garlic oil marinade over shrimp. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 2-6 hours.
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Meanwhile, prepare mango salsa: mix green onions, mangoes, jalapeños, cilantro and remaining 1 Tbsp. lime juice. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
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Preheat grill to high. Grill marinated shrimp for about 3 minutes on each side. Shrimp will be pink and firm. Take off grill and serve with salsa. Enjoy!
Notes
Serving Suggestions and Perfect Pairings
These healthy grilled shrimp skewers with mango salsa are a delightfully complete meal on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes to create a more substantial and satisfying spread. Consider serving them alongside a fluffy bed of coconut rice for an extra touch of tropical sweetness that beautifully complements the mango salsa. Alternatively, a simple green salad dressed with a light citrus vinaigrette offers a refreshing and crisp contrast to the rich flavors of the shrimp. For grains, quinoa or couscous can make excellent bases, adeptly absorbing the delicious juices from the marinade and the vibrant flavors of the salsa. For a heartier option, grilled corn on the cob or roasted vegetables tossed with a hint of lime and chili powder would be superb companions, adding another layer of texture and taste. No matter how you choose to serve them, these skewers promise a bright, flavorful, and satisfying dining experience that embodies the essence of summer.
The inherent beauty of this dish lies not only in its ease but also in its nutritional balance. The lean protein derived from the shrimp, combined with the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables in the vibrant salsa, makes it a nutritionally robust choice. It’s naturally low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and potent antioxidants, all contributing to a wholesome and balanced diet without ever compromising on flavor. Furthermore, the efficiency of its preparation, from the quick and simple marinade to the rapid grilling time, means you can effortlessly enjoy a wholesome, homemade meal even on your busiest days, making it a perfect addition to any healthy eating plan.
Discover More Summertime Favorites
If you’re captivated by the fresh, healthy, and intensely flavorful profile of these grilled shrimp skewers, you’ll be delighted to explore more recipes that promise to bring similar joy and ease to your table. We are passionate about creating dishes that are both delicious and incredibly simple to prepare, making them perfect for any occasion, from casual family meals to more elegant entertaining. Here are a few more cherished favorites from our kitchen that we believe you’ll absolutely love:
Thai Coconut Soup
Craving something wonderfully warm and deeply comforting with an exotic twist? This Thai Coconut Soup delivers a rich, aromatic coconut broth brimming with succulent shrimp, earthy mushrooms, and tender rice. It’s a hearty and satisfying dish that masterfully brings the authentic, complex flavors of Thailand right to your home, making it an exquisite choice for a cozy evening, perhaps even alongside your grilled skewers for a unique surf-and-turf experience.
Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers with Coconut Rice
If you adore the convenience and visual appeal of food on skewers, these Thai Coconut Chicken Skewers are an absolute must-try. Tender, juicy pieces of chicken are meticulously marinated in a creamy, fragrant coconut blend and grilled to perfection, then served over a bed of subtly sweet and aromatic coconut rice. It’s another fantastic option for the grilling season, offering a slightly different, yet equally delightful, flavor profile while maintaining that beloved skewer presentation. These are perfect for diversifying your barbecue menu.
Healthy Brown Rice Bowl with Shrimp & Avocado
For a quick, utterly satisfying, and incredibly wholesome meal that’s packed with nutrients, look no further than this Healthy Brown Rice Bowl with Shrimp & Avocado. It elegantly combines fluffy, fiber-rich brown rice with tender, perfectly cooked shrimp, creamy slices of fresh avocado, and a tantalizing, flavorful sauce, creating a light yet remarkably filling dinner. It’s brimming with good-for-you ingredients and stands as a shining testament to how truly delicious and effortless healthy eating can be.
This recipe was originally shared on I Heart Naptime on March 27, 2014