Irresistible Grilled Harissa Shrimp Skewers with Homemade Basil Oil: An Easy & Flavorful Recipe

This post is sponsored by Mina Harissa.

Prepare to elevate your grilling game with a recipe that promises an explosion of flavors and a vibrant presentation: Grilled Harissa Shrimp Skewers with Homemade Basil Oil. This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary journey, combining the bold, aromatic spice of harissa with the refreshing brightness of fresh basil. Whether you’re planning a sophisticated dinner party or simply seeking a quick, delicious weeknight meal, these skewers are guaranteed to impress with minimal effort.

I’ve had the pleasure of teaming up with the wonderful people over at Mina Harissa to share another incredible recipe featuring their exceptional harissa sauces. Seriously, their harissa is so good, you might find yourself eating it straight from the jar – it’s truly that flavorful and authentically crafted. It has become an indispensable staple in my kitchen, consistently adding a unique depth and character to countless dishes.

While I admit I can be a little dramatic when describing food, I genuinely believe I could devour about fifteen of these Grilled Harissa Shrimp Skewers in one sitting. The combination of succulent, perfectly grilled shrimp, infused with the rich, complex flavors of harissa, and then brightened with a generous drizzle of fresh basil oil, is simply irresistible. Each bite offers a delightful balance of spice, herbaceous notes, and the natural sweetness of shrimp, culminating in a truly memorable dining experience.

Discover the Bold Flavors of Harissa

As I’ve highlighted before, I am a huge enthusiast of harissa, and particularly, Mina Harissa sauces. Harissa is a vibrant chili paste originating from North Africa, a culinary cornerstone in cuisines across Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria. Traditionally, it’s a robust blend of roasted red peppers, Baklouti peppers, olive oil, fresh garlic, and an aromatic medley of spices such as caraway, coriander, and cumin. Its flavor profile is intensely bold – smoky, earthy, and deeply aromatic, delivering a heat that can range from a subtle whisper to an intense blaze.

Mina Harissa stands out due to its unwavering commitment to authentic flavors and the highest quality ingredients, making it an excellent choice for both experienced chefs and those new to the world of harissa. Their sauces offer remarkable versatility, extending far beyond a simple condiment. You can use them as a spirited topping for everything from scrambled eggs and creamy avocado toast to gourmet sandwiches, or integrate them as a powerful flavor enhancer in almost any dish. For instance, it elevates spicy harissa lamb meatballs, adds an unexpected twist to egg puff pastry squares, or even enriches savory stews, hearty soups, and perfectly roasted vegetables. The culinary possibilities with Mina Harissa are truly endless once you begin exploring.

While traditional harissa can be intensely spicy, crafted almost entirely from red chili peppers (a dream for spice lovers!), there’s good news for those who prefer a milder kick. Mina Harissa offers a mild harissa option that is delicately flavored with just the slightest hint of heat. This mild version is precisely what we’re utilizing in this recipe, ensuring it’s approachable for everyone while still delivering that signature harissa depth and aroma. It also functions beautifully as an easy marinade, allowing the shrimp to fully absorb its deliciousness without being overly piquant.

Mastering the Grill: Tips for Succulent Shrimp

Shrimp is an exceptional choice for grilling, especially when you’re looking for a quick yet elegant meal. This lean protein cooks rapidly and has an incredible ability to absorb marinades, making it a fantastic canvas for bold flavors like harissa. For this recipe, selecting large, raw Gulf shrimp, already shelled and de-veined, is crucial for both convenience and optimal results. If you’re using frozen shrimp, ensure they are completely thawed in the refrigerator before you begin the marinating process. The freshness of your shrimp directly impacts the final texture and taste of your dish.

The allure of these skewers lies not only in their exquisite flavor but also in their simplicity and speed of preparation, all while maintaining an air of sophisticated elegance. The most vital step for infusing maximum flavor is the marination; allowing the shrimp to soak in Mina’s mild harissa for 1 to 2 hours truly allows the spices to penetrate. Additionally, don’t overlook the importance of letting the marinated shrimp rest at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before grilling. This step promotes more even cooking and helps prevent the shrimp from seizing up when it hits the hot grill.

Whether you’re firing up an outdoor gas grill or heating a cast iron grill pan indoors, precision is key when cooking shrimp. They cook remarkably fast, and overcooked shrimp can quickly become tough and rubbery. Aim for just 2 to 3 minutes per side, until they transform into an opaque pink hue and exhibit those tantalizing grill marks. A helpful trick is to baste the shrimp with a little extra harissa during grilling; this not only deepens the flavor profile but also helps keep them moist and adds another layer of deliciousness to every bite.

The Vibrant Elegance of Homemade Basil Oil

While the harissa-marinated shrimp are undeniably delicious on their own, topping them with a generous drizzle of homemade basil oil elevates this dish to an entirely new realm of flavor and sophistication. The inherent freshness of the herbs, particularly the sweet and peppery notes of basil, provides a brilliant and necessary contrast to the warm, spicy undertones of the harissa. This vibrant green oil not only imparts a burst of herbaceous flavor but also creates a stunning visual appeal, beautifully highlighting the bright orange-pink of the grilled shrimp.

Crafting basil oil is surprisingly simple and requires only a handful of quality ingredients: fresh basil leaves, premium extra virgin olive oil, and a touch of kosher salt. A quick blend of these components yields a smooth, intensely aromatic oil that can be prepared well in advance, streamlining your efforts, especially when entertaining. Beyond these shrimp skewers, basil oil is wonderfully versatile; it’s excellent drizzled over fresh salads, swirled into pasta, paired with roasted vegetables, or simply enjoyed with fresh mozzarella and ripe tomatoes. It’s a culinary secret weapon you’ll want to keep stocked in your kitchen.

Serving Suggestions for Any Occasion

These Grilled Harissa Shrimp Skewers are an ideal recipe for entertaining, striking a perfect balance between simplicity, speed of preparation, and undeniable elegance. Envision serving these at your next summer barbecue, a sophisticated cocktail party, or even as a light yet immensely flavorful main course for a casual weeknight dinner. Their vibrant colors and tantalizing aromas are sure to captivate and delight your guests, making them a true crowd-pleaser for any gathering.

To serve, gracefully transfer the freshly grilled shrimp skewers to a large, inviting serving platter. Give your prepared basil oil a good shake to emulsify, then generously drizzle it over the succulent shrimp. A final flourish of fresh cilantro leaves not only introduces an additional layer of herbaceous flavor but also significantly enhances the dish’s visual presentation, making it even more appealing. These versatile skewers can be presented as a delightful appetizer on their own, offering tantalizing bites, or they can form the centerpiece of a larger meal. They pair exquisitely with a variety of complementary sides, such as fluffy couscous, fragrant jasmine rice, a crisp green salad, or tender, perfectly grilled asparagus. The light, zesty flavors of the dish also make it an excellent accompaniment to a chilled glass of crisp white wine or a refreshing sparkling water, completing a harmonious culinary experience.

Whether you are a seasoned admirer of harissa or just beginning to explore its incredible flavor profile, this recipe for Grilled Harissa Shrimp Skewers is an absolute must-try. With the authentic taste of Mina Harissa and the bright, fresh notes of homemade basil oil, you’re not merely preparing a meal; you’re crafting a culinary masterpiece that is both effortless and impressive. Get ready to fire up your grill, savor the exquisite flavors, and delight in a truly outstanding dish!

Today’s post and recipe development project was sponsored by Mina Harissa. Thank you for supporting the brands I love and use in my own kitchen!