05.17.23

Spicy Curried Shrimp Skewers and Grilled Veggie Couscous

I cannot wait for y’all to get grilling this impressive, flavorful meal — Spicy Curried Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Veggie Couscous!

Spicy Curried Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Veggie Couscous

I don’t know about y’all, but there is just something about grilled shrimp. The grill brings out a delicious flavor of even the most simply-seasoned shrimp. But here, the shrimp is anything but simple. 

Spicy Curried Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Veggie Couscous

You’ll start by making a flavorful curry sauce that will be used for both the couscous salad, which is inspired by Mendocino Farms Spicy Curried Couscous, and to flavor your shrimp. Next, you’ll cook your couscous and toss it with some salt, pepper, and cilantro. After you season your veggies, skewer your shrimp, and brush with some of the curry sauce, it’s time to GRILL! Once all is cooked up, simply chop the veggies and add to the couscous with the remaining marinade then dinner will be served in no time.

I like to serve this up with the shrimp on a large platter and the couscous alongside for everyone to build their plates as they prefer, but don’t forget to include extra cilantro for garnish! While this is a full meal as-is, a simple greens salad goes great with this!

Spicy Curried Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Veggie Couscous

From the flavors to the presentation, these Spicy Curried Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Veggie Couscous are truly so impressive! Making this the perfect when hosting this grilling season, or when you want to “fancify” your weeknight dinner — you do you!

Spicy Curried Shrimp Skewers with Grilled Veggie Couscous

Spicy Curried Shrimp Skewers and Grilled Veggie Couscous
Serves: 6
Print
5 from 1 vote
Total Time45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Curry Sauce:

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne ¼ teaspoon for mild, ½ teaspoon for spicy

For the Spicy Curried Couscous:

  • 1 ½ cups Israeli couscous or orzo pasta
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher salt divided
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper divided
  • ¼ cup freshly chopped cilantro plus more for garnish
  • 1 medium zucchini halved lengthwise and sliced into half moons
  • 1 red bell pepper diced large
  • ½ large red onion diced large
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

For the Shrimp:

  • Twelve [6-inch] wooden skewers presoaked (see note)
  • 1 pound peeled deveined and tail-off shrimp (21/25 count)
  • ¼ cup of the Curry Sauce
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Bring a medium pot of water to boil.

Make the Curry Sauce:

  • Meanwhile, add all of the Curry Sauce ingredients to a large bowl. Whisk until well combined. Set ¼ cup of the sauce mixture aside in a separate bowl to use for the shrimp later.

Cook the Couscous:

  • When the water is boiling, add the couscous and cook al dente according to package directions (it typically takes about 6 minutes). When done, drain then add to the large bowl with Curry Sauce mixture and toss so that the couscous is well coated. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper and the cilantro. Toss once more and set aside.

Prep the Veggies:

  • In a separate large bowl combine the zucchini, red bell pepper and onion. Add 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt and remaining ½ teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat and set aside.

Prep the Shrimp:

  • Next, thread the shrimp onto the skewers. Hold two skewers side by side, parallel to one another, upright and carefully thread the shrimp onto the skewers. I like to thread my shrimp on two skewers because food held together with two parallel skewers is less likely to spin or slither off. You should be able to fit about 4 shrimp on each set of skewers.
  • Next, brush the shrimp on both sides with the reserved marinade so that the shrimp is well coated in the curry sauce. Then sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Set aside while your grill heats.

Grill the Shrimp and Veggies:

  • Heat grill over medium-high heat (350- 400℉) and oil the grill grates. To do this, dip a wadded paper towel in a little oil and, using tongs, wipe the oil evenly over the grate. Be careful not to use too much oil, because that's a surefire way to start a good flare-up—a little goes a long way here.
  • Once heated through, place a grill pan or cast-iron skillet on one half of the grill and add the veggies to the pan. On the other half of the grill, place the skewers on the grill grates and grill the shrimp with the lid on for about 3 minutes a side, or until or until they are just cooked through and are no longer transparent. The veggies should take 6 to 8 minutes to cook, you’ll want them tender with a nice char around the edges, tossing halfway through when you flip the shrimp.

Finish and Serve:

  • Remove the veggies and shrimp from the grill. Add the grilled veggies to the couscous and toss until well combined. To serve, plate a scoop of the Grilled Veggie Spicy Curried Couscous and top with a shrimp skewer. Garnish with more cilantro, if desired.

Notes

It is important to pre-soak the skewers ahead of putting them over the open flame. Simply place the skewers on a small sheet pan or a large bowl then add warm water and soak for at least 15 minutes.
 

Food Photography and Styling by Eat Love Eats. 

3 Comments

  • Reply
    Meredith W
    May 30, 2023 at 11:53 am

    Will definitely make again. I don’t have access to a grill, so I roasted the vegetables at 200 c and then broiled the shrimp. And I only had whole coriander and cumin seeds in my pantry so I tried to crush them but then ultimately just used my immersion blender to blend the sauce together. Overall really good flavors and something unique/different!

  • Reply
    Lucy
    May 24, 2023 at 9:56 pm

    5 stars
    My husband said this was “top five favorite recipes ever!”

    • Reply
      Alex
      May 24, 2023 at 11:23 pm

      heck yes! love to hear it, thanks for commenting!

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