Warm weather means grilling season and this Greek Shrimp Marinade is the perfect way to make your summer shrimp on the grill. Zesty lemon, rich extra virgin olive oil is mixed with spices and makes the perfect marinade.
Warm weather means grilling season. My family loves shrimp and today’s Greek Shrimp Marinade is one of my favorite ways to make it for the grill.
Fresh shrimp is marinated in a Greek style marinade made of simple ingredients. It uses extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and lemon zest, oregano, dill, thyme, garlic powder and basil. The marinade adds so much fresh zesty flavor to the shrimp.
The shrimp are then grilled until they are tender, juicy and very flavorful. What I love most is that shrimp grills quickly and can be on your plate in under 10 minutes.
You can also grill vegetables like fresh zucchini, red bell pepper and red onion alongside the shrimp to make a healthy meal or you can add them to the skewers with the shrimp to make shrimp kabobs.
These Greek style shrimp work great with your favorite sides. I like to make this Summer Orzo Salad, or serve the shrimp alongside Mediterranean Lentil Salad or with these Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables.
You might also like these Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp Skewers, One Pot Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta, Easy Breaded Shrimp or this Spicy Shrimp.
Why you Will Love this Shrimp Marinade
- Easy to Prepare: This marinade is so easy to prepare! You mix the olive oil, lemon juices and spices and you have an easy marinade!
- Perfect for other protein: You can use this marinade on a variety of proteins like chicken, salmon or steak.
- Simple Ingredients: l love when I can control my ingredients in a marinade. This uses simple ingredients you can find in your pantry and fridge!
Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fresh Shrimp: I like to use 1 pound of raw shrimp that is peeled and deveined (you can either leave tails on or remove them). I especially like jumbo shrimp when I grill. I tend to grill with the tails on.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I used extra virgin olive oil because it is a great way to add flavor. I also suggest you brush your grill grates with oil so the shrimp don’t stick to the grill.
- Lemon: The lemon juice and zest adds so much flavor. It also helps to keep the shrimp tender and juicy. You could also use lime juice and lime zest if you don’t have a lemon.
- Spices: The spices in this marinade are dill, parsley, oregano, basil and thyme. If you prefer to use fresh dill, parsley, oregano and thyme that works great too. Just make sure you mince the herbs so they aren’t too large on in the shrimp marinade.
- Garlic Powder: I used garlic powder but you could use fresh garlic in its place.
For exact ingredient amounts and instructions, see the full recipe card below.
Recipe Modifications
- Fresh Herbs: If you prefer fresh herbs in your marinade instead of dried spices that works great. Just make sure you mince them so they aren’t too large.
- Citrus: I like to use fresh lemon juice and zest in my marinade but lime juice also works well. You also could use orange juice or vinegar. Citrus is the best way to tenderize the shrimp and add flavor.
- Spice: If you like spice try adding cayenne red pepper or red pepper flakes to the marinade.
- Sweeten it: If you want a slightly sweeter flavor try adding 2-3 tbsps. of honey. You could also use agave or brown sugar if you want.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce can be a nice addition to a marinade. Try using 2-3 tbsps. of soy sauce.
How to Make Greek Marinaded Shrimp
The marinade is so easy to make and really is the best grilled shrimp marinade!
Step 1: Create Marinade: You add the olive oil, lemon juice, dill, parsley, oregano, basil, thyme and garlic powder in a large bowl and whisk. Add the salt and black pepper and stir. Add the shrimp to the bowl or you can add it to a large ziplock bag and add the marinade.
Use your hands to massage the marinade into the shrimp. You can refrigerate for up 30 minutes but you don’t have to.
Step 2: Prepare Grill: When you are ready to marinade the shrimp and grill them you will want to soak the wooden skewers in water before using them on the grill.
Step 3: Thread the Shrimp: Set out your metal skewers, bamboo skewers or wooden skewers. Thread the shrimp on the skewers. Discard the excess marinade.
Heat the grill to medium heat. Spray with oil to prevent the shrimp skewers from sticking.
Step 4: Grill the Shrimp: Put the skewers on the grill or a grill pan and cook for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink on the outside and the meat inside should be white and opaque.
Do not overcook the shrimp or else it will become tough.
Remove the shrimp from the grill and garnish with fresh dill and parsley, feta cheese and lemon wedges.
Storage Tips
Leftover shrimp will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Another option to is to wrap the shrimp tightly and keep it in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Recipe FAQ
Yes you can use either but I prefer fresh shrimp. You can use frozen shrimp and then grill them. Just make sure to thaw the shrimp overnight in the fridge before marinating.
Shrimp cooks very quickly on the grill! You want to keep an eye on the shrimp so they don’t overcook. Typically when I grill shrimp I do medium-high heat and do 2-3 minutes per side and should reach an internal temperature of 145ºF degrees.
If you can buy de-vained shrimp that is helpful and saves time. If the shrimp has a black line down the back of it that is the shrimp’s vein. Use your fingers drag the spoon across the vein until it comes out.
I also don’t like to cook the shrimp with the shell on because the shrimp can’t soak up the marinade.
More Shrimp Recipes to Try
Seafood
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
Mediterranean
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Seafood
Honey Garlic Sriracha Shrimp
Seafood
Shrimp Creole Recipe
Greek Shrimp Marinade
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined (tails on or you can remove them}
- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 lemon, juiced plus 1 tsp. lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh dill and parsley for garnish
- Fresh feta cheese for garnish
- Serve with tzatziki sauce
Instructions
- If you plan to use wooden skewers you will want to soak them in water before using them on the grill.
- In a large ziplock bag or large medium bowl put the olive oil, dill, parsley, oregano, basil, thyme, garlic powder, lemon juice and zest. Add the salt and pepper.
- Add in the shrimp and use tongs or your hands to gently coat the marinade on the shrimp.
- Marinate the shrimp for 30 minutes. Because of the lemon juice don't marinade longer than 2 hours or the shrimp beging to break down from the acid in the lemon juice.
- Set out your metal or wooden skewers. Thread the shrimp on the skewers.
- Heat the grill to medium hight heat.
- Spray with oil to prevent the shrimp skewers from sticking.
- Put the skewers on the grill and cook for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink on the outside and the meat inside should be white and opaque. Do not overcook the shrimp or else it will become tough.
- Remove the shrimp from the grill and garnish with fresh dill and parsley, feta cheese and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Serve with tzatiki sauce and with an orzo salad. You could also grill vegetables alongside the skewers.
- These shrimp work great over a salad, in a rice or quinoa bowl or on their own.
- Broiler Directions: Preheat the broiler. Spray a baking sheet or casserole dish with non-stick spray. Place the shrimp skewers on the baking sheet. Broil for 3 minutes on each side or until shrimp are pink on the outside and the inside meat is opaque.
