My rosemary bush is on the curve of a flower bed. It is next to the walkway that leads to my front door. Each time I pass by it, my hand is drawn down to brush against it. I'll bring my hand up to my face to breathe in the delightful scent. The same happens when I'm tending to my other fresh herbs. The fragrances are better than anything from a hand lotion. Even better are the flavors from those lovely plants. As summer ends, I wanted to celebrate those herbs and the season with making grilled herb shrimp with chimichurri sauce.
The recipe is a multi-step process. First there is a garlic and herb infused olive oil to make. I recommend making it a few days in advance. Store it in a dark place, like a cabinet or your pantry, and let the oil really soak up the herb flavors. Which herbs to use? It's really up to you. I used thyme, rosemary, basil, and tarragon. Pick your favorites and use them.
Chimichurri sauce is the next step. You can make this a day in advance. It's one of those things that gets better after an overnight stay in the fridge. Basically it's a bunch of fresh herbs and garlic chopped up by hand or in a food processor (I used the food processor) and then mixed with vinegar and oil. I used parsley, cilantro, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
Marinate shrimp in the infused oil and more fresh herbs. It only takes 20 minutes. You could probably go longer although not necessary. While they are marinating you can prepare the rosemary branches. Strip off the needles except for the top few inches. Cut the end to a point so you can easily skewer the shrimp.
Skewer the shrimp on the rosemary branches. You can use other types of skewers if you don't have rosemary branches. Be sure to soak wood or bamboo skewers in water for about 30 minutes first.
Grill the shrimp until they are just cooked through. Be careful not to over-cook them or they will be tough and rubbery. Serve them with chimichurri sauce and you will have a platter of summer goodness.
Which is your favorite fresh herb? It's hard for me to pick because it depends on what I'm making. There's rosemary focaccia or lemon parsley cocktail or, well, the list goes on and on. Speaking of lists, be sure to scroll down to see links to recipes for the Sunday Supper Labor Day event. There is so much good stuff being shared. I can't wait to check out each one.
Grilled Herb Shrimp With Chimichurri Sauce
Ingredients
For the herb garlic infused olive oil:
- 1 cup packed assorted fresh herbs
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and smashed
- 1 cup olive oil
For the chimichurri sauce:
- ¾ bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley about 2 cups
- ¾ bunch fresh cilantro about 1 cup
- ¼ cup packed fresh oregano leaves
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- ½ cup olive oil plus more if needed
For the grilled herb shrimp:
- ¼ bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley about ½ cup
- ¼ bunch fresh cilantro about ¼ cup
- Handful fresh oregano leaves about 2 tablespoons
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- ½ cup herb garlic infused olive oil
- 1 pound medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 8 to 10 thick rosemary branches
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
For the herb garlic infused olive oil:
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Rinse and dry the fresh herbs. Squeeze or bruise them to release oils. Place them in a jar along with the garlic.
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Heat the oil to warm (no more than 160 degrees F) and pour into the jar.
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Let cool to room temperature. Cover and set in a dark place (cabinet or pantry). Remove garlic after 2 days. Use within 3 weeks.
For the chimichurri sauce:
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Make sure all the fresh herbs have been rinsed and dried (I use a salad spinner to spin-dry).
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Cut the stems from the parsley and cilantro below the leaves (to have mostly only leaves left).
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Place the parsley, cilantro, oregano, thyme, rosemary, vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade.
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Pulse a few times to chop the herbs. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Pulse while drizzling in the olive oil. Do not over-process or it will become a paste.
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Transfer the chimichurri sauce to a small bowl. Stir in additional olive oil for desired consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate overnight. Recommended to make a day ahead for flavors to develop.
For the grilled her shrimp:
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Cut the bottom stems from the parsely and cilantro. Finely chop the parsley, cilantro, and oregano.
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Place all the herbs and the garlic infused olive oil in a bowl. Stir to combine. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate for 20 minutes.
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Heat a grill to medium-high heat.
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Strip all but the top 2 to 4 inches of needles from the rosemary branches. Whittle or cut the end to make a point.
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Skewer the shrimp on the rosemary branches. Season with salt and pepper.
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Grill the shrimp until they are just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side.
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Serve the shrimp skewers with chimichurri sauce.
Recipe Notes
Total time does not include time for infused oil to set and overnight refrigeration for sauce.
Are you ready for a Labor Day feast? Here are recipes by Sunday Supper bloggers that are great for the celebrating the holiday or any time of the year:
Refreshing Drinks
- Hibiscus Flower Margaritas from La Cocina de Leslie
- Cherry Bourbon Lemonade from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Mint Sweet Tea from Supper for a Steal
- Pineapple Soda Floats from Healthy. Delicious.
Amazing Appetizers and Sides
- Hatch, Chive & Chevre Figs from Shockingly Delicious
- Grilled Corn Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing from girlichef
- Cucumber Cups from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob from The Urban Mrs
- Stuffed Baby Sweet Pepper from Country Girl In The Village
- Peach Salsa Nachos from Mama's Blissful Bites
- Grilled Peach Salad from Curious Cuisiniere
- Caramelized Onion Relish from What Smells So Good?
- Strawberry and Chicken Pasta Salad from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Chorizo and Cheese Jalapeno Poppers from I Run For Wine
- Spiced Honey Peach Muffins from Mess Makes Food
- Spicy Bacon Popcorn from Nik Snacks
- Sausage Rolls from Food Lust People Love
- Deviled Eggs Stuffed With Garlic Guacamole from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
- Caprese Tortellini Salad from Webicurean
Enviously Good Entreés
- Grilled Swordfish Kabobs with Sun-Dried Tomato & Olive Salsa from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with Homemade Teriyaki from Juanita's Cocina
- Beer Brined BBQ Chicken from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
- Kansas City Barbecued Spare Ribs from The Texan New Yorker
- Grilled Italian Turkey Burgers from Table for Seven
- Red Wine Burgers with Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese from Neighborfood
- Red, White & Blue Spicy Burgers from Daily Dish Recipes
- Deluxe Pizza Burgers from Foxes Love Lemons
- Stir-Fry Rice with Turkey Bacon and Eggs from Basic N Delicious
- Grilled Herb Shrimp With Chimichurri Sauce from Magnolia Days
- Tropical Shrimp Kabobs from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Spicy Sea Scallop Skewers with Mint Yoghurt Sauce from Soni's Food
- Proscuitto & Spinach Macaroni and Cheese from Family Foodie
Delicious Desserts
- Old-Fashioned Pineapple Up-Side-Down Cake from The Foodie Army Wife
- Egg Free Chocolate Mousse from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Fresh Raspberry Bran Muffins from Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Peach Cheesecake Crumb Bars from Chocolate Moosey
- Peanut Butter Cream Pie with a Pretzel Crust from Cookin' Mimi
- S'mores Brownies from Alida's Kitchen
- Ice Cream Granola Truffles from Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Strawberries with Red Wine Reduction and Whipped Cream from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Peach Kuchen {#Dairyfree} from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Raspberry Lime Cupcakes from Treats & Trinkets
- Summer Berry Chocolate Cake from Happy Baking Days
- Peanut Butter Vegan Dreams from Ninja Baking
- Red, White & Blue Jello Parfaits from In The Kitchen With KP
- Richest Ever Chocolate Pound Cake with an Orange Ganache from Eat, Move, Shine
- Caramel Brownies from Pies and Plots
- Red, White & Blue Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Dip Trio from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
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Thanks for participating and all your assistance with my hosting duties this week! I'd imagine the chimichurri is delicious with that shrimp. My favorite herb? I love the fragrance of basil.
Thank you for hosting Sunday Supper this week and you did a fantastic job! I love basil too.
What a wonderful way to grill shrimp, Renee. The rosemary is such a gorgeous way to go...Very much appreciate the how-tos, too, on the herb infused oil and the chimichurri sauce.
P.s. I bet your garden is the envy of all your neighbors =)
P.s.2. Hope that green thumb of yours in healing quickly.
Thanks Kim. My basil this year wasn't so good. The constant rain got the roots too soggy. And my thumb is almost completely healed.
I love that you used the actual rosemary as skewers! I tried to do it with lamb once and the stems just weren't strong enough but they would work beautifully in shrimp. I love the colors and the flavors. Stunning, Renee!
You would really need and old strong rosemary bush to get skewers for lamb or beef. Mine has a few branches I think would work but I don't want to chop off such a big part. I'll stick with the lighter foods like shrimp or veggies for now.
Wow Renee your shrimp rosemary skewers are brilliant! My mum is going to love your recipe and I so wish I had rosemary growing in my garden (if only!). I ll follow your great advice too with the infused oil and chimichurri sauce. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much Helene and I hope you mom enjoys the recipe.
Mmmm.... I, the fish hater, might even try these skewers Renee. Stunning! To have all those herbs in your garden, and the patience to tend to them too! Have a great holiday my friend!
Thanks Paula! If you can't bring yourself to eat shrimp, just do the same with veggies or other meat. Just make sure the branches are thick and strong enough for the heavier foods.
Hi Renee, I've been grilling all summer and shrimp have been on regular rotation on my grill. I love this recipe and before grilling season is over, I'm making these. Great post!
Thanks Bill. Luckily grilling season here in Georgia is almost all year long. Well, it is all year for me (except I don't grill in the rain).
Your shrimp is grilled to perfection, Renee!!! I'd love this for my Labor Day celebration!
Thanks Liz and I hope you have a great holiday.
Mmmmm...I wish my husband wasn't allergic to shrimp! I would be making these every week! Gorgeous photos as usual, Renee! 🙂
Thanks Karen!
Renee - these sound {and look} simply amazing plus I am a huge fan of chimichurri 🙂 - In regards to my favorite herb well, I cannot just decide on one. Basil, chives, parsley, tarragon, rosemary, lemon thyme....love them all.
I can't get enough of the chimichurri. I thought I made a big batch but kept using it for other things. Next time I'll double or triple it.
Chimichrri is so yummy and pairs really well with a lot of proteins. Great idea to skewer the shrimp on rosemary!
So very true that chimichurri goes well with a lot of meats and veggies. I think I could use it as a salad dressing too. So good.
Chimichurri totally works with shrimp, and I'm glad I'm not the only one to make rosemary skewers!
I love the smell when the rosemary is on the grill and the needles are cooking. It adds a little scented smoke to everything on the grill.
The chimichurri...I want to eat it with a spoon!!!
Go ahead Jen because I had a few spoonfuls myself.
Those shrimp skewers look divine and the rosemary is such a good addition! I love this!
Thanks Katy
I just love rosemary too and if I had to decide which herb is my favorite, it would be either rosemary or basil. I, too, love to smell the aromas of herbs! Your shrimp looks delightful and I love how you used the rosemary stems for skewers! Great #SS recipe!
Roz
If I had to pick I think it would be thyme. I could add it to just about anything.
What a breathtaking presentation, and lovely recipe! Fresh herbs... nothing, like the smell of fresh herbs!!!
Thanks so much Diana.
I love love love the fresh herbs! These look amazing.
Thanks Shannon
Shrimp and fresh herbs are the best.
So true, so very true.
These are absolutely beautiful! I love the rosemary skewers!
Thanks Alida. It's so much better than regular skewers.
I love food smells better than any lotion or perfume. And your shrimp looks lovely and probably smells wonderful too.
Oh yes, it smells so good especially when it is on the grill.
These are really beautiful! And the rosemary infused olive oil sounds amazing! I'm going to need to make some of that to put on everything!
I'm thinking about getting those gallon sizes of olive oil just to make different batches of the infused oil.
I love all the fresh herbs you've used in your shrimp and the chimichurri sauce!!So refreshing and so so flavorful!!I would love to try them for my next party since we love seafood here 🙂
I love everything about this post, Renee. The chimichurri sauce, the shrimp, but especially the fact that you used the rosemary branches as skewers. You're brilliant!
Thanks Nancy! I've been wanting to do a post with using rosemary skewers for a long time. I'm glad I could finally get it done.
OH. MY. GOODNESS. I absolutely adore chimichurri. You have no idea! the fresh herbs, the oil, the slight tang of the vinegar--MMMmm, mmm, mmm...
Thanks Nikki!
Aw, so jealous you can keep a rosemary bush in your yard. For some reason I don't understand, they sell rosemary bushes at garden stores here in Michigan, marked as perennials. Now, I don't know much (anything, really) about gardening. So last spring, I thought "rosemary? In the yard? great!" and bought and planted two. But yeah...Michigan winters are just way, way too harsh for rosemary, and they didn't make it 🙁 I blame the garden store for steering me wrong! haha.
I just love chimichurri, but have never tried adding rosemary. Love that idea!
I don't think rosemary does well that far up North. There are only certain varieties that will last over the winter here in Georgia. Shame on the garden store for steering you wrong.
I'm always so nervous about cooking shrimp since I'm always convinced that I'll overcook it. So I'll just come over so you can make me some of these, okay?
Come on over Kim and I'll be happy to cook shrimp for you.
What a beautiful dish! I love the scent of rosemary alone! Beautiful!
Thanks Amber
This is such a beautiful and fresh way to serve shrimp - one of my favorites! All the herbs must stand out and a great use for those thyme stems.
Thanks Susan
Oh I'll be doing an herb-infused oil with the basil I have! Love shrimp too.
Basil oil would be great for so many things.
Love the idea of chimichurri on shrimp! Honestly, more than beef. Speaking of beef, we are both headed to Chicago in October--so exciting! We'll get to meet! I pinned the shrimp....
I can't wait to meet you IRL in Chicago. I'm really looking forward to that workshop. Thanks for pinning too.
Oh my... These are beautiful, Renee! I love the chimichurri and herbs on the shrimp. They look (and I'm sure smell) amazing.
Oh yes, they do smell amazing. The best part is when the rosemary needles are cooking on the grill. It gives the smoke the nicest aroma.