Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp with Basil Lemon Marinade
I’ve been making these Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp for years. Marinated in basil, lemon, garlic, and wine, this Marinated Shrimp converted Bill into a shrimp lover!
These Shrimp Skewers were a hit from day one and can be made for an appetizer or a main dish.
Why You Must Make
- This was the recipe that convinced my picky hubby to try shrimp. And to become a shrimp lover!
- Wrapping succulent shrimp in thin slices of salty ham makes an irresistible pairing.
- And the marinated shrimp were tossed on the grill for a double dose of flavor.
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Olive Oil, Garlic
- White Wine – I used a Sauvignon Blanc. Note that like salt, alcohol is a flavor enhancer.
Lemon Juice – Use fresh for the best flavor. Note that the acid in lemon juice can make the shrimp mushy, so don’t marinate them for too long.
Dijon Mustard – Adds tangy and pungent notes.
Fresh basil – Chopped
Jumbo Shrimp – Peeled and devein if necessary
Prosciutto – Cut in half length-wise. The thin slices will adhere to themselves as they’re wrapped around the raw shrimp.
Recipe Tips
This recipe involves two simple steps, marinating and grilling. First, I needed a flavorful grilled shrimp marinade.
- PRO-Tip: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is imperative. Bottled juice just doesn’t taste as good.
- Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, white wine, Dijon mustard, garlic and chopped basil, then bathe the shrimp in the liquid gold. Like with the lemon juice, use fresh basil, not dried for the best flavor.
- Leave on the shrimp tails for a handle to grab and eat if you’re not serving with toothpicks.
- Pat your shrimp dry before marinating. It will make it easier for the marinade to absorb and minimize extra liquid from diluting the marinade.
- Marinate the shrimp for about 2 hours at the most. 30-60 minutes is ideal.
- Leave on the shrimp tails for a handle to grab and eat if you’re not serving with toothpicks.
- PRO-Tip: If you marinate too long, like overnight, the acid in the lemon juice can break down the proteins and make for mushy shrimp.
- Grill just until the shrimp lose their translucency.
- PRO-Tip: Overcooking the shrimp will make them dry and rubbery. If they curl into a tight “C” shape, they’re overdone.
After soaking up flavor from the marinade, these plump shrimp were wrapped with a basil leaf and a paper-thin slice of prosciutto. Finally, they were grilled for about 3-6 minutes; the timing depends on the heat of your grill. Perfection!
Frequently Asked Questions
Large to extra large shrimp take just 2-3 minutes per side on the grill. Take care to grill just until the interior is opaque and the shrimp starts to curl. Grilling too long will make your shrimp rubbery.
Yes, you can mix up the marinade and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days ahead of time. The olive oil will solidify when chilled so bring the marinade to room temperature before adding the shrimp.
A green vegetable like green beans or broccoli is great with shrimp, plus rice or garlic bread. Try a tossed salad, too.
Yes, shrimp are a good source of protein, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, plus minerals like Iron, Selenium, Magnesium, and Iodine. They are high in cholesterol, but the cholesterol in shrimp does not have a direct effect on your blood cholesterol.
You May Also Like:
- Cajun Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo from Nutmeg Nanny
- Shrimp & Orange Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
- Shrimp and Grits
- Grilled Shrimp Scampi
- Shrimp Fajitas
- Rosemary Prosciutto Shrimp
- Paella – Julia Child’s recipe that my mom always made!
- Plus more tasty Seafood Recipes
Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp with Basil Lemon Marinade
Marinated and grilled shrimp wrapped in basil and prosciutto.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup white wine (I used a Sauvignon Blanc)
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil
- 24 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 slices prosciutto, cut in half length-wise
- 24 basil leaves
Instructions
- Whisk together, wine, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon, garlic, and basil. Add shrimp, toss, and marinate for 1-3 hours in the refrigerator.
- When ready to grill, remove from the refrigerator. Wrap a basil leaf around the middle of the shrimp, then a slice of the prosciutto.
- Thread onto skewers.
- Grill until the shrimp loses its translucency, about 3 minutes per side (will vary depending on the size of your shrimp and the temperature of your grill).
- Serve hot.
Notes
Adapted from The Silver Palate Goodtimes Cookbook.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
4 shrimpAmount Per Serving: Calories: 431Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 2050mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 25g
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My Taste Testers
The typical Indiana weather pattern of hot, sticky days broke at the perfect time for an afternoon with friends. We sat outdoors on the banks of a picturesque lake with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Lots of laughs and tasty food made for a lovely time. These shrimp were on the menu. The hubby wasn’t the only fan!
10 Comments on “Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp with Basil Lemon Marinade”
These are wonderful. And not too much work, for me! Thanks!
So elegant and beautiful. And the flavour must be exceptional; I love the smokiness coming from prosciutto and grilling.
These look incredibly delicious. Great tips for the shrimp too.
These look right up my alley! Bet they taste particularly flavourful and juicy with prosciutto.
For years we made this for Christmas Eve dinner. All dressed up, slinging shrimp onto the skewers, marinade all over. One year we decided to thread the basil and prosciutto before marinating the shrimp. Been that way ever since. Great recipe and a treat for everyone eating it!
I’m so glad you love this, too!!! If my youngest wasn’t allergic to shrimp, I’d definitely make it for X-Mas Eve!!
Hi.
Can you bake them instead of grill. And if so , time and temperature?
Cheers,
🙂
Hi, Teresa, Yes, I’d probably broil them, watching carefully, about 1 1/2 minutes per side (maybe a little more or less depending on the size of your shrimp). That way they can get some caramelization. Hope you enjoy!!
The flavor that the marinade lends to these shrimp is incredible! This is a new favorite at our house!
Yum! My daughter and I love shrimp! This recipe is so delicious and our favorite! I will definitely be making this again!