Craving the ultimate surf-and-turf experience? These Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers combine juicy sirloin, plump shrimp, and a dreamy garlic butter sauce that’ll have everyone at the table asking for the recipe. Whether you’re planning easy grilling meals dinners or just want to wow your crew on a weeknight, this one’s a total winner.
Okay, real talk — this recipe basically made me the MVP of every backyard cookout I’ve hosted. I couldn’t decide between steak night and shrimp night, so I did both, threaded them onto a skewer, and honestly? Never looked back. It’s become my go-to for stuff to make on the grill whenever I want to impress without actually stressing.
The best part is how simple it all is. A quick marinade, a little skewer action, a few minutes on the grill, and then that garlic butter sauce — oh, we’re going to talk a lot about that sauce.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish is the definition of a crowd-pleasing grilling meal dinner. Hearty, smoky sirloin steak paired with tender, juicy shrimp — together they’re just magic. It’s the kind of dinner that makes people go quiet for a second because they’re too busy eating to talk.
The smoked paprika marinade gives the steak a gorgeous depth of flavor, and that lemon-garlic butter sauce drizzled on top at the very end? That’s what takes this from “really good” to “absolutely legendary.” These are perfect dinners for the grill that you’ll keep coming back to all summer long — and honestly, well into fall too.
If you love easy, flavorful meals, you might also love this round-up of spring dinner ideas for more grill-friendly inspiration.
Quick Overview
These skewers deliver smoky, garlicky, buttery perfection in every single bite. The sirloin gets a bold spice marinade while the shrimp stay light and fresh, and the garlic butter sauce ties it all together in the most delicious way. Simple enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for a dinner party.
Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers with Garlic Butter Sauce
Equipment
- Grill
- Skewers
- Mixing bowl
- Small saucepan
- tongs
Ingredients
For the Skewers
- 1 pound sirloin steak cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for marinating
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika adds smoky flavor
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder enhances flavor
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the cubed sirloin steak with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Let the steak marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare the garlic butter sauce by melting the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in the parsley, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
- Thread the marinated steak and shrimp onto skewers, alternating pieces for an even mix on each skewer.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until the steak is seared and the shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Remove the skewers from the grill and drizzle generously with the garlic butter sauce. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
Ingredients
For the Skewers
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sirloin steak | 1 pound | Cut into 1-inch cubes |
| Large shrimp | 1 pound | Peeled and deveined |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons | For marinating |
| Smoked paprika | 1 teaspoon | Adds a smoky depth |
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon | Enhances the garlic flavor |
| Salt and pepper | To taste | For seasoning |
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup | Melted |
| Garlic cloves | 4 cloves | Minced |
| Fresh parsley | 2 tablespoons | Chopped |
| Lemon juice | 1 tablespoon | Brightens the sauce |
| Salt | To taste | For seasoning |
How to Make Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers
Ready to make the best thing you’ve ever put on a stick? Let’s go.
Step 1: Marinate the Steak
In a large bowl, toss your cubed sirloin with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix it really well so every piece gets coated in that gorgeous spice blend. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes — longer if you’ve got time, because the flavor just keeps getting better.
Pro tip: You can marinate the steak overnight in the fridge. Just pull it out 20 minutes before grilling so it comes up to room temperature. Room-temp steak = more even cooking. Trust the process.
Step 2: Season the Shrimp
In a separate bowl, toss your peeled and deveined shrimp with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Simple is best here — the shrimp are going to pick up so much flavor from the grill and the garlic butter sauce, so you don’t want to overdo it. Set them aside while you get to the good stuff.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
This sauce is the secret weapon of this whole recipe, and it takes maybe five minutes. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt your butter and add the minced garlic. Let it sizzle gently for 1-2 minutes until your kitchen smells absolutely incredible.
Remove it from the heat and stir in the fresh parsley, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. That lemon juice is non-negotiable — it cuts through the richness of the butter and makes everything sing. Don’t skip it!
Step 4: Thread the Skewers
Now comes the fun part. Thread the marinated steak and shrimp onto your skewers, alternating between the two as you go. It looks gorgeous and makes sure you get both in every bite.
Heads up: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand. Nobody wants a flaming-stick situation on the grill. Metal skewers work great and you’ll never have to think about soaking again.
Step 5: Grill to Perfection
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat — you want it hot enough to get a real sear on that steak. Place your skewers on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side. The shrimp will turn pink and opaque, and the steak will get those gorgeous caramelized grill marks you totally deserve.
Prefer medium-rare? Three minutes per side is your sweet spot. Medium? Go four. Just keep a close eye on the shrimp because they cook fast, and overcooked shrimp are a genuine tragedy.
Step 6: Drizzle, Plate, and Serve
Pull those beautiful skewers off the grill and immediately drizzle the garlic butter sauce generously over the top. Watch it melt into every nook and cranny of the steak and shrimp. Serve right away — these are best hot off the grill, so don’t let them sit.
These pair beautifully with grilled corn, a fresh green salad, or some crusty bread to mop up the extra garlic butter. Highly recommend the bread situation.
Expert Tips, Variations & Troubleshooting
Tips for the Best Results
Cut your steak pieces as evenly as possible so everything cooks at the same rate. Uneven chunks mean some pieces overcook while others are still underdone — and nobody wants that surprise.
Don’t crowd the skewers. Leave a little space between each piece so the heat circulates properly and you actually get a sear instead of just steaming everything. Give each piece room to breathe.
Let the finished skewers rest for a couple of minutes after coming off the grill. Even on a skewer, a short rest helps the juices redistribute and keeps every bite tender.
Fun Variations to Try
Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to the steak marinade for a little kick. It pairs really well with the rich garlic butter.
Swap the protein: Chicken thighs work beautifully here if steak isn’t your thing. They pick up the smoked paprika marinade like a dream — check out this Parmesan crusted chicken for another easy chicken dinner idea.
Add veggies: Thread in chunks of bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, or mushrooms between the steak and shrimp. More color, more flavor, and it stretches the recipe further.
Go tropical: Add pineapple chunks to the skewers for a sweet-savory combo that’s genuinely addictive. If you love that vibe, you’d probably also love this Crockpot Pineapple Chicken.
Troubleshooting
Shrimp cooking too fast? Try adding them to separate skewers from the steak so you can pull them off the grill a minute earlier. Problem solved.
Steak sticking to the grill? Make sure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled before you start. A quick brush of oil right before the skewers go on makes a huge difference.
Garlic butter burning? Keep the heat low and don’t walk away. Garlic goes from fragrant to bitter really quickly, so 1-2 minutes on low is all you need.
Storage, Reheating & No-Waste Ideas
| Storage Method | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (airtight container) | Up to 3 days | Remove from skewers before storing |
| Freezer | Up to 2 months | Freeze steak and shrimp separately for best texture |
| Garlic butter sauce | Up to 5 days in fridge | Reheat gently on the stovetop |
Reheating: Warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a little butter for 2-3 minutes. The microwave works in a pinch but can make the shrimp rubbery, so the stovetop is always the better call.
No-waste ideas: Leftover steak and shrimp are incredible sliced over a rice bowl, tucked into tacos, or tossed into a pasta with extra garlic butter sauce. Nothing goes to waste here.
If you love easy, cozy dinners like this, you’ve got to try this Crockpot Marry Me Chicken or this hearty Crockpot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage for your next weeknight win.
Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers FAQs
Can I make these Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can marinate the steak up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge. The shrimp are best seasoned right before threading, since they can get a bit mushy if they sit too long with salt. The garlic butter sauce can also be made ahead and gently reheated before serving.
What’s the best cut of steak for skewers?
Sirloin is the sweet spot for grilling skewers — it’s flavorful, holds up well on the grill, and doesn’t break the bank. Ribeye works too if you want to go extra indulgent, and tenderloin is wonderfully buttery but gets pricey. Avoid tougher cuts like round steak, which need longer cooking times and won’t shine here.
Do I really have to soak wooden skewers?
Yes, if you want to avoid them catching fire on the grill! Soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading. Honestly though, if you grill often, metal skewers are a solid investment — they’re reusable, never burn, and you never have to think about soaking again.
Can I make this without a grill?
Totally! A cast iron grill pan on the stovetop works really well. Heat it over medium-high, brush with a little oil, and cook the skewers 3-4 minutes per side just like you would on an outdoor grill. You won’t get that smoky outdoor flavor, but the garlic butter sauce more than makes up for it.
What sides go well with these skewers?
So many good options! Grilled corn on the cob, a simple cucumber and tomato salad, garlic rice, roasted potatoes, or even just some warm crusty bread to soak up all that garlic butter. For more dinner inspo, check out these spring dinner ideas — there are tons of great pairings in there.
Ready to Fire Up the Grill?
These Grilled Steak and Shrimp Skewers are honestly one of those recipes that just makes life better. They’re easy, they’re impressive, and that garlic butter sauce is genuinely the stuff of dreams. Whether it’s a casual weeknight dinner or a full-on summer cookout, this is the recipe that’s going to have everyone hovering around the grill.
Give them a try this week — and when you do, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Drop a comment below with your experience, any fun variations you tried, or questions. And if you loved this recipe, please save it to your Pinterest boards so other grill lovers can find it too. Happy grilling!
