Grilled Shrimp with Tarator Sauce

Juicy, smoky, and irresistibly flavorful, grilled shrimp with tarator sauce is a Mediterranean-inspired dish that's perfect for your next cookout or weeknight dinner. Tender shrimp are marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and smoked paprika, then grilled to perfection, boasting a delightful char and subtle spice. The star of this recipe, however, is the creamy tarator sauce—a velvety blend of tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and softened bread, which adds a nutty, tangy richness to every bite. Served alongside warm pita bread or a crisp salad, this elegant yet simple dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser. Bursting with fresh flavors and ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is a must-try for fans of grilled seafood and Mediterranean cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on)
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 slices Bread (crust removed)
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 3 tablespoons Tahini
• 1 Garlic clove (for sauce, minced)
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice (for sauce, freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil (for sauce)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt (for sauce)
• 2 tablespoons Water (to adjust sauce consistency)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.

Step 2

Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes while preparing the tarator sauce.

Step 3

For the tarator sauce, soak the bread slices in 2 tablespoons of water for 1-2 minutes until softened. Squeeze out any excess water and tear the bread into smaller pieces.

Step 4

In a blender or food processor, combine the softened bread, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Step 5

Add 2 tablespoons of water (or more) to achieve your desired sauce consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, then set aside.

Step 6

Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers for easy handling (optional).

Step 7

Grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are opaque and slightly charred. Remove from the grill and set aside.

Step 8

Serve the shrimp immediately, drizzled with tarator sauce and garnished with fresh parsley. Pair with warm pita bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	712.6 grams (712.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1406

Total Fat 98.40g	126%
Saturated Fat 15.40g	77%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 886mg	295%
Sodium 4378mg	190%
Total Carbohydrate 16.80g	6%
Dietary Fiber 6.50g	23%
Total Sugars 1.80g
Protein 119.90g	240%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3684mg	283%
Iron 16075mg	89303%
Potassium 1539mg	33%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.8%

Protein: 33.5%

Carbs: 4.7%