Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Tzatziki

Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Tzatziki

Mia

These Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Tzatziki bring the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean coast directly to your dinner table. Succulent shrimp are marinated in a bright mixture of lemon, garlic, and herbs, then grilled to perfection until they develop a beautiful char and smoky flavor. The result is tender, juicy shrimp with a delightful contrast between the caramelized exterior and the sweet, delicate interior.

The accompanying homemade tzatziki sauce is a classic Greek condiment that perfectly complements the grilled shrimp. Made with thick Greek yogurt, crisp cucumber, fresh dill, and a hint of garlic, this cooling sauce provides a creamy, tangy counterpoint to the smoky shrimp. The combination is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious, featuring lean protein from the shrimp and probiotics from the yogurt.

This dish embodies the essence of Mediterranean cuisine: simple, fresh ingredients prepared with minimal fuss to let their natural flavors shine. It's a perfect example of how the Mediterranean diet emphasizes seafood, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil. Whether you're hosting a summer barbecue or looking for a quick weeknight dinner, these shrimp skewers are impressive enough for guests yet easy enough for any day of the week.

Serve these skewers alongside a fresh Greek salad, warm pita bread, or over a bed of herbed rice for a complete Mediterranean feast. The bright, fresh flavors and light yet satisfying nature of this dish make it ideal for warm weather dining, though it's delicious any time of year.

Nutrition

28 minutes
None servings
245 calories
Fat 10.00g
Carbs 6.00g
Protein 32.00g

Ingredients

1.5 lbslarge shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 tbspolive oil, divided
2 tbsplemon juice, freshly squeezed
3 clovesgarlic, minced, divided
1 tspdried oregano
1 tspsalt, divided
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground, divided
1 cupGreek yogurt, full-fat or 2%
1 mediumcucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
2 tbspfresh dill, chopped
1 tsplemon zest
2 tbspfresh parsley, chopped (optional)
4 wedgeslemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Equipment

Whisk
measuring spoons
measuring cups
tongs
zester or microplane
basting brush
grill or grill pan
metal or wooden skewers
grater
mixing bowls
kitchen towel or cheesecloth

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense recipe is ideal for the 16:8 eating window, providing high-quality protein from shrimp, healthy fats from olive oil, and probiotics from Greek yogurt. The balanced macronutrients and whole food ingredients deliver sustained energy and satiety to help you comfortably maintain your fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This recipe easily meets the 80/20 Diet standard with 100% nutrient-dense whole foods: wild-caught shrimp, olive oil, fresh vegetables, Greek yogurt, and herbs. Every ingredient provides substantial nutritional value, making this a perfect example of the 80% whole foods foundation.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe is rich in anti-inflammatory ingredients including omega-3 fatty acids from shrimp, extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, herbs like dill and parsley, and lemon. The combination of seafood, healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich herbs helps reduce inflammation while avoiding processed foods and refined ingredients.

Atkins Diet

These grilled shrimp skewers fit perfectly into all phases of the Atkins Diet with under 8g net carbs per serving. The recipe features high-quality protein, healthy fats from olive oil, full-fat dairy from Greek yogurt, and low-carb vegetables, while avoiding all grains, sugars, and starchy ingredients.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with only whole, minimally processed ingredients: fresh shrimp, olive oil, lemon, garlic, herbs, cucumber, and Greek yogurt. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form with no artificial additives, preservatives, or refined ingredients.

DASH Diet

This recipe aligns with DASH Diet principles by featuring lean protein from shrimp, low-fat Greek yogurt, abundant fresh vegetables and herbs, and minimal sodium. The use of lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs for flavoring instead of salt, combined with heart-healthy olive oil, makes this an excellent choice for blood pressure management.

Diabetic Diet

This recipe is excellent for diabetic diets with its low glycemic impact, minimal carbohydrates (approximately 8g per serving), high-quality lean protein from shrimp, and healthy fats from olive oil. The balanced macronutrients support stable blood sugar levels without refined sugars or high-glycemic ingredients.

Flexible Dieting

This recipe fits perfectly into a flexible dieting approach with clear, trackable macros: approximately 280 calories, 28g protein, 8g carbs, and 14g fat per serving. The nutrient-dense ingredients demonstrate how delicious, satisfying meals can fit into any macro target while prioritizing whole foods.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, using only shrimp, fresh vegetables, herbs, olive oil, and Greek yogurt—all ingredients that contain no wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing grains. It's a safe and delicious option for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features omega-3-rich shrimp, heart-protective olive oil, low-fat Greek yogurt, and fresh herbs while avoiding saturated fats, trans fats, and excessive sodium. The lean protein, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables support cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation.

High-Protein Diet

With approximately 28-32 grams of protein per serving from shrimp and Greek yogurt, this recipe is excellent for high-protein diets. The lean seafood protein combined with protein-rich Greek yogurt supports muscle maintenance and satiety while keeping calories moderate.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)

This recipe is perfect for IIFYM tracking with approximately 25-30g protein, 8-10g carbs, and 12-15g fat per serving. The nutrient-dense whole foods—shrimp, Greek yogurt, olive oil, and vegetables—provide quality macros that can easily fit into personalized daily targets while supporting fitness goals.

Intermittent Fasting

Perfect for intermittent fasting eating windows, this nutrient-dense recipe provides high-quality lean protein from shrimp, healthy fats from olive oil, and probiotics from Greek yogurt. The balanced macronutrients and whole food ingredients support stable blood sugar levels and sustained energy throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe honors Intuitive Eating principles by offering a satisfying, flavorful meal that provides both pleasure and nourishment. The combination of succulent grilled shrimp, creamy tzatziki, and fresh Mediterranean flavors creates an enjoyable eating experience without restriction or guilt.

Ketogenic Diet

These shrimp skewers are keto-friendly with minimal carbohydrates from the shrimp and cucumber, while providing high-quality protein and healthy fats from olive oil and full-fat Greek yogurt. The net carbs remain very low (approximately 4-6g per serving), making this an ideal high-fat, moderate-protein meal that supports ketosis.

Low-Carb Diet

With approximately 6-8g net carbs per serving, this shrimp dish is ideal for low-carb diets. The recipe emphasizes protein from shrimp, healthy fats from olive oil, and minimal carbohydrates from cucumber and Greek yogurt, while completely avoiding grains, starches, and sugars.

Low-FODMAP Diet

This recipe can be made Low-FODMAP compliant by using garlic-infused olive oil instead of fresh garlic and limiting the Greek yogurt portion to 2-3 tablespoons per serving. Shrimp, cucumber (peeled and seeded), fresh dill, lemon, and olive oil are all low-FODMAP ingredients when consumed in appropriate portions.

Low-Sodium Diet

This recipe can easily be adapted for low-sodium diets by reducing or omitting the added salt and relying on fresh lemon juice, garlic, herbs, and spices for flavor. The naturally low-sodium ingredients like fresh shrimp, cucumber, and Greek yogurt keep sodium levels well under 300mg per serving when prepared without added salt.

Macro Diet

Ideal for macro tracking, this recipe provides balanced macronutrients with high protein from shrimp (approximately 28g), moderate healthy fats from olive oil (12g), and low carbohydrates (8g). The whole food ingredients make it easy to accurately log and adjust portions to meet individual macro targets.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe aligns with Mayo Clinic Diet principles by emphasizing lean protein from shrimp, healthy fats from olive oil in moderation, fresh vegetables, and herbs. The nutrient-dense whole foods and appropriate portions support sustainable weight loss and overall health without processed ingredients or excessive calories.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish featuring wild-caught shrimp, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon, garlic, and Greek yogurt-based tzatziki. It emphasizes seafood as the primary protein, uses herbs and citrus for flavoring instead of excessive salt, and showcases the healthy fats and fresh ingredients central to Mediterranean cuisine.

MIND Diet

This recipe supports brain health through MIND Diet principles by featuring seafood rich in omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil as the primary fat, fresh herbs, and vegetables. The combination of lean protein, healthy fats, and antioxidant-rich ingredients supports cognitive function and neuroprotection.

Mindful Eating

Perfect for mindful eating practice, this recipe engages all senses with varied textures (tender shrimp, creamy tzatziki, crisp cucumber), vibrant colors, aromatic herbs, and bright citrus flavors. The whole food ingredients and simple preparation encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation.

Paleo Diet

This recipe is Paleo-compliant if you omit the Greek yogurt from the tzatziki or substitute with coconut yogurt. The grilled shrimp marinated in olive oil, lemon, and herbs represents a perfect Paleo meal focused on wild-caught seafood, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables without grains, legumes, or processed ingredients.

South Beach Diet

Perfect for all phases of the South Beach Diet, this recipe emphasizes lean protein from shrimp, healthy fats from olive oil, low-fat Greek yogurt, and non-starchy vegetables. It completely avoids refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and processed foods while providing satisfying, nutrient-dense ingredients.

Weight Watchers

This recipe is Weight Watchers-friendly, featuring lean protein from shrimp, low-fat or 2% Greek yogurt, and plenty of fresh vegetables and herbs. The minimal use of olive oil and focus on nutrient-dense whole foods creates a satisfying, flavorful meal that's naturally lower in points.

Zone Diet

This recipe naturally balances the Zone Diet's 40-30-30 macronutrient ratio with lean protein from shrimp (30%), low-glycemic carbohydrates from cucumber and limited Greek yogurt (40%), and healthy fats from olive oil (30%). The combination supports stable insulin levels and reduces inflammation.

Instructions

1

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 15 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.

2

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper until well combined.

2 min
3

Add the shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 10-15 minutes at room temperature while you prepare the tzatziki.

1 min
4

For the tzatziki, grate the cucumber and place it in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Squeeze firmly to remove as much excess water as possible.

3 min
5

In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, squeezed cucumber, chopped dill, minced garlic (1 clove), 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir well to combine.

2 min
6

Cover the tzatziki and refrigerate until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld together.

7

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Brush the grates with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.

5 min
8

Thread the marinated shrimp onto the skewers, placing 4-5 shrimp per skewer. Thread them through both the tail and head ends so they lay flat.

3 min
9
6 min

Place the shrimp skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side until the shrimp turn pink and develop grill marks.

10

Remove the skewers from the grill and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

1 min
11

Serve the grilled shrimp skewers immediately with the tzatziki sauce on the side and lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.

Frequently Asked Questions