Festive Holiday Shrimp & Sausage Skewers
These Festive Holiday Shrimp & Sausage Skewers are perfect for entertaining. Featuring juicy shrimp, savory sausage, and colorful vegetables, all marinated in a delicious herb and spice blend, they can be grilled or baked for an easy and impressive dish.
Equipment
- Wooden skewers
- Large bowl
- Whisk
- Grill or Oven
- Baking sheet
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails on or off
- 1 pound smoked sausage (such as turkey kielbasa or turkey chorizo), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 bell peppers (1 red, 1 green), cut into chunks
- 1 red onion, cut into wedges
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey optional
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
Preparation
- Soak wooden skewers if using, then chop all vegetables and sausage into bite-sized pieces, and pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, fresh rosemary, thyme, salt, and black pepper; add optional maple syrup and red pepper flakes. Add shrimp, sausage, and vegetables, tossing to coat evenly, then cover and refrigerate to marinate for at least 20 minutes.
Assembly
- Thread shrimp, sausage, and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating ingredients for an appealing look, ensuring not to overload them.
Cooking
- For grilling, preheat to medium-high heat and cook skewers for 3-4 minutes on each side until the shrimp are pink and opaque, and vegetables are tender-crisp.
- For baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), place skewers on a baking sheet, and bake for 12-15 minutes, turning them over halfway through, until shrimp are fully cooked.
Serving
- Garnish with fresh parsley or rosemary sprigs before serving immediately.
Notes
For best results, do not overload the skewers, allowing even cooking. The marinating time can be extended up to an hour for deeper flavor. Serve these versatile skewers hot, fresh off the grill or out of the oven, garnished with fresh herbs.