Cilantro Pesto Grilled Shrimp Recipe

Fire up the grill for this vibrant Tex-Mex twist on classic grilled shrimp! Sheila Lukins' recipe gets a flavorful upgrade with a zesty cilantro pesto. Succulent shrimp marinated in homemade pesto then grilled to perfection – a quick, easy, and incredibly delicious meal.

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 51 mins

Calories 301.2 kcal

Protein 47g

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The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Cilantro Pesto Grilled Shrimp

Large Shrimp
1 cup packed cilantro leaves
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 cloves garlic (minced)
Ground Cumin
Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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How to Make Cilantro Pesto Grilled Shrimp

**Prepare the Cilantro Pesto:** Combine 1 cup packed cilantro leaves, 1/4 cup pine nuts, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
**Make the Pesto:** With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil until smooth. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate (makes about 3/4 cup).
**Marinate the Shrimp:** In a bowl, toss 1 pound shrimp with 6 tablespoons of the cilantro pesto. Set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes (longer is better!).
**Prepare the Skewers:** Thread the marinated shrimp onto long metal skewers, about 5-6 shrimp per skewer.
**Grill the Shrimp:** Preheat grill to high heat. Grill skewers for 3 minutes per side, or until shrimp are pink and cooked through (about 3 inches from the heat source).
**Finish and Serve:** Remove shrimp from skewers. Toss with the remaining 6 tablespoons of pesto and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

7 g

Sugar

Fat

15g

Carbs

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Starters Appetizers & Snacks Main Courses Lunch Main Dish / Dinner Seafood Shrimp Recipes The Americas American Mexican Healthy Gluten Free Summer Recipes Game Day Recipes Grilling & Bbq

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Cilantro Pesto Grilled Shrimp?

Cilantro Pesto Grilled Shrimp takes about 71 minutes from start to finish — roughly 20 minutes to prepare and 51 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Cilantro Pesto Grilled Shrimp?

Cilantro Pesto Grilled Shrimp has approximately 301.2 calories per serving, with about 47 g protein, 0 g carbohydrates and 33 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Cilantro Pesto Grilled Shrimp?

The key ingredients for Cilantro Pesto Grilled Shrimp are Large Shrimp, Cilantro Leaves, Pine Nuts, Garlic, Ground Cumin, Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper. See the full list with measurements above.