Grilled Seafood with Shrimp, Calamari, and Fresh Herbs Recipe
This Grilled Seafood recipe features a light and fresh mix of calamari and shrimp, marinated with garlic, lemon, lime zest, and dill, then quickly cooked on a hot griddle or pan. It is a protein-packed, low-effort meal ideal for summer grilling that delivers delicious flavors without compromising your waistline.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
Seafood
- ⅔ pound calamari, cleaned and cut into rings (thawed if frozen)
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined (thawed if frozen)
Marinade and Seasoning
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pinch salt, to taste
- 1 pinch pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
Cooking Oil
- Avocado oil (or any oil with a high smoke point), as needed
Instructions
- Pat Dry Seafood: Using paper towels, pat dry the calamari rings and shrimp thoroughly to remove excess moisture. This helps achieve a better sear later on.
- Prepare Marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine the calamari and shrimp with minced garlic, lemon zest, lime zest, olive oil, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh dill. Mix everything well to distribute the flavors evenly. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour if time permits to enhance the taste, though this step is optional.
- Heat Cooking Surface: Preheat your Blackstone griddle, flat-top, or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of avocado oil or any oil with a high smoke point to prevent sticking and promote browning.
- Cook Shrimp: Place the shrimp spaced apart on the hot surface. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Avoid crowding the pan to prevent steaming and ensure proper browning.
- Cook Calamari: Remove the shrimp and then add the calamari rings. Cook quickly for about 30 seconds on each side. The calamari will curl up fast, so be careful not to overcook to prevent rubbery texture.
- Serve: Once cooked, transfer the seafood to a serving dish. Garnish as desired and enjoy your fresh, grilled seafood meal immediately.
Notes
- Add more oil as needed when using the Blackstone or pan to prevent sticking.
- Do not cook seafood for more than 1-2 minutes per side; overcooking makes it rubbery.
- Space seafood apart while cooking to avoid steaming and encourage browning.
- Marinating for about 1 hour enhances flavor but is optional if short on time.