Brochetas De Camarón

This brochetas de camarón recipe is a keeper! A hearty and citrusy marinade coats the shrimp and adds an amazing Mexican flavor to the grilled shrimp. Serve over rice for a complete meal or enjoy as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce!

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Brochetas de camarón is a popular dish in Mexican and Spanish cuisine. The term brochetas refers to skewers, and camarón means shrimp. So they’re basically shrimp skewers in English.

To make brochetas de camarón, we like to marinate the shrimp in a flavorful mixture of spices, and lime juice. Then thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers, along with pineapple chunks and onions.

The skewers are then cooked over a grill until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.

I like to serve brochetas de camarón as an appetizer with my creamy cilantro lime sauce. It is a favorite among my friends and family along with tostadas de camarón!

Ingredients

Shrimp: I recommend using fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined. The size of the shrimp is up to your preference, but medium-sized shrimp (around 26-30 counts per pound) work well for skewers.

Onions: I included onion chunks in between the shrimp on the skewers for added flavor and texture, you can also add other vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini.

Pineapple: Fresh pineapple adds a nice sweet and tangy touch that goes well with shrimp.

Spices: Garlic powder, chili powder (or paprika), and ground cumin add lots of flavor to shrimp.

Lime: Fresh lime juice is used to marinate the shrimp and more to serve.

Oil: Use your favorite type of vegetable oil. I used extra virgin olive oil.

Salt and pepper: Basic seasoning to enhance the flavors.

How To Make Brochetas de Camarón

1. Place all spices in a mixing bowl and add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir to create a marinade.
2. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade. Toss the shrimp to ensure they are coated evenly. 
3. Let the shrimp marinate for about 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld.
4. While the shrimp is marinating, preheat your grill or stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat.
5. Thread the shrimp, onion, and pineapple chunks into the skewers.
6. Squeeze lime juice over the shrimp and then place the skewers on the preheated grill.
7. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn pink and are nicely cooked through. 
8. Once done, remove the skewers from the grill and transfer them to a serving platter.
9. Serve the Mexican shrimp skewers hot, accompanied by lime wedges for squeezing fresh lime juice over the shrimp if desired.

Tips & Notes

• Always select fresh or high-quality frozen shrimp for the best results. Look for shrimp that are firm, and opt for medium-sized shrimp, as they tend to cook evenly and are easier to handle on the skewers.
• Marinating the shrimp adds depth of flavor and helps keep them moist. Allow the shrimp to marinate for at least 15-20 minutes, or even longer if time permits. This allows the flavors to penetrate the shrimp.
• Do not add the lime juice to the marinade or the shrimp will cook with the acid, it is better to add it just right before cooking the shrimp.
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes before grilling. This prevents the skewers from burning while cooking on the grill.
• Make sure that your grill is preheated to medium-high heat before adding the shrimp skewers. A properly preheated grill ensures even cooking and prevents the shrimp from sticking to the grates.
• When threading the shrimp onto the skewers, leave a little space between each piece. This allows heat to circulate evenly around the shrimp, ensuring uniform cooking.
• Pay attention when cooking the shrimp, they will usually need 2-3 minutes per side, depending on their size. Avoid overcooking, as they can become tough and rubbery. Remove the skewers from the grill as soon as the shrimp turn opaque and pink.
• Make more marinade and reserve for basting the shrimp skewers or lightly brush them with olive oil. This helps enhance the flavor and keeps the shrimp moist.
• Once cooked, transfer the brochetas de camaron to a serving platter and garnish them with fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley. Serve them immediately while they are still hot and juicy.

Serving Suggestions

Brochetas de camarón can be served in a variety of ways, depending on your preference and the occasion. Here are my favorite ways for serving this recipe:

Appetizer: Serve the shrimp skewers as a standalone appetizer for parties or gatherings. Arrange them on a platter, garnish with fresh cilantro, and provide lime wedges on the side for guests to squeeze over the shrimp. You can also offer a selection of dipping sauces, such as chipotle crema.

Main Course: Make a complete meal by serving it on a plate with a side of Mexican green rice and a simple ensalada verde (green salad) to complete the meal.

Tacos: Brochetas de camarón can be the star protein option for tacos. Create a DIY taco bar where guests can assemble their own tacos using the grilled shrimp. Offer corn or flour tortillas, along with an assortment of toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, chopped onions, guacamole, and jalapeño salsa. 

Bowls & Salads: Remove the shrimp from the skewers and serve them in a bowl with grilled vegetables, cilantro lime rice, or quinoa. Top the bowl with fresh salsa, and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. This option provides a customizable and hearty meal in a bowl.

Storage

To store brochetas de camarón leftovers allow the cooked shrimp to cool down first, this helps prevent condensation and maintains the texture of the shrimp.

Transfer to a container with a tight lid and store in the fridge for 2-3 days. If the shrimp are still threaded onto the skewers, you can remove them for easier storage. Simply slide the shrimp off the skewers and set them aside.

Reheating

If you wish to reheat the brochetas de camaron do so gently to avoid overcooking. You can briefly reheat them on a grill, in a skillet with a bit of oil, or in the microwave for a short duration. 

Please note that shrimp can lose some of their texture and flavor when reheated, so they might not be as good as when freshly cooked. If you anticipate having leftovers, it’s a good idea to set aside some uncooked shrimp and only cook what you plan to consume immediately. 

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