If you’re craving something fresh, vibrant, and bursting with zesty flavors, this delightful Citrus Grilled Shrimp Zoodles Recipe will quickly become your new favorite. The bright citrus marinade perfectly complements the smoky grilled shrimp, while the crisp, refreshing zucchini noodles bring a light yet satisfying texture. It’s a beautiful medley of ingredients that’s not only healthy and low-carb but also incredibly easy to prepare, making it the perfect dish to wow your family or friends any night of the week.

A vibrant flat lay of fresh ingredients for Citrus Grilled Shrimp Zoodles arranged neatly on a clean white surface. Centered are plump, peeled, and deveined raw shrimp displaying their soft pink and translucent textures. Nearby, spiralized green zucchini noodles form delicate, curly ribbons with a fresh, crisp appearance. Small bowls hold finely grated lime zest and bright orange zest, showcasing vivid lime green and deep orange colors with a slightly textured surface. Minced garlic cloves rest on a small wooden spoon, their creamy white pieces finely chopped. Fresh cilantro sprigs add a burst of deep green leaves, artfully scattered for a natural touch. Two halved limes and one orange are sliced to reveal their juicy, glistening interiors, emphasizing bright citrus tones. A glass dish contains golden olive oil with a glossy sheen, alongside a small pile of coarse sea salt crystals and ground black pepper providing contrast with their grainy textures. A tiny bowl with amber honey offers a sticky, shiny element. The ingredients are arranged with balanced spacing and natural lighting that enhances the fresh colors and textures, casting soft shadows for depth. The overall composition conveys freshness, brightness, and vibrant Mediterranean flavors. overhead shot, top down view, flat lay photography, professional food styling --ar 1:1 --q 2 --s 750 --v 6.1

Ingredients You’ll Need

To whip up this Citrus Grilled Shrimp Zoodles Recipe, you’ll need just a handful of simple, fresh ingredients. Each one plays a vital role, from the zesty lime and orange zest adding brightness, to the garlic and cilantro infusing savory depth, and the zucchini noodles providing a colorful, crunchy base.

1.5 tsp finely grated lime zest: Brings a tangy, citrus punch that wakes up the palate.
1.5 tsp finely grated orange zest: Adds sweetness and vibrant aroma to the marinade.
3-4 cloves garlic, minced: Provides savory warmth and depth to balance the citrus.
2 tbsp fresh minced cilantro: Imparts fresh herbal notes that brighten the whole dish.
2 tsp fresh lime juice: Enhances the marinade’s acidity and zest.
1.5 tbsp fresh orange juice: Softens the citrus flavors with a natural sweetness.
6 tbsp olive oil: Emulsifies the marinade and ensures juicy, tender shrimp.
0.5–0.75 tsp fine sea salt: Elevates all the flavors with a subtle salty balance.
0.25 tsp black pepper or chipotle chili powder: Adds a mild kick for complexity.
1 tsp honey (optional): Rounds out the marinade with gentle sweetness, perfect if you’re not following Whole30.
1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp: The star protein that grills up beautifully smoky and juicy.
Salt and pepper for shrimp seasoning: Ensures the shrimp have a perfectly seasoned crust.
3-4 medium zucchini, spiralized: Creates the low-carb noodle base that’s fresh and crunchy.
0.25–0.5 tsp sea salt for sweating zucchini: Helps draw out moisture for a better texture.
Extra fresh cilantro for garnish: Adds a finishing fresh herb touch and color.

How to Make Citrus Grilled Shrimp Zoodles Recipe

Step 1: Make the Citrus Marinade

Start by combining all the ingredients for the marinade except the olive oil in a bowl. Whisk them together until they are well blended. Then, slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking to create a luscious, emulsified marinade that coats every shrimp slice with those bright citrus and herb flavors.

Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp

Reserve 3 tablespoons of the marinade to use later, then add your peeled and deveined shrimp to the rest. Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least one hour. This step infuses the shrimp with that irresistible zesty flavor and tenderizes them just right.

Step 3: Prepare the Zoodles

Next, spiralize your zucchini into noodles—it’s like magic how these little “zoodles” replace traditional pasta perfectly! Place them in a colander over a bowl, sprinkle with sea salt, and let them sweat for about an hour. This draws out excess water so your noodles won’t get soggy. Once done, drain off the liquid and gently press the zoodles with paper towels to remove extra moisture.

Step 4: Preheat the Grill

Light your grill to high heat and brush the grates with a bit of olive oil to prevent shrimp from sticking. A hot grill sears the shrimp quickly, locking in their juiciness and adding that wonderful smoky char flavor.

Step 5: Grill the Shrimp

Take the shrimp out of the marinade, letting any excess drip off but keeping a light coating. Season them lightly with salt and pepper. Grill the shrimp in a single layer for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque—overcooking is the only enemy here, so keep an eye on them!

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Allow the grilled shrimp to cool just slightly, then toss them together with your zoodles and the reserved marinade for an extra flavor boost. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately—this dish is at its best when it’s fresh, bright, and bursting with citrusy goodness.

How to Serve Citrus Grilled Shrimp Zoodles Recipe

Garnishes

A generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro adds a pop of green and a fresh herbal note that beautifully contrasts the grilled shrimp. For a little crunch, you can also add toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds—these give a lovely texture and a nutty flavor that elevates the entire dish.

Side Dishes

This dish shines as a complete light meal on its own, but if you want to round it out, consider a simple avocado salad or a chilled cucumber and fennel slaw. These sides keep the meal refreshing and complement the citrus and herb flavors wonderfully without adding heaviness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve this Citrus Grilled Shrimp Zoodles Recipe in hollowed-out bell peppers or on a bed of mixed greens to transform it into a colorful, inviting salad bowl. Another idea is to drizzle a little extra citrus marinade or a splash of good-quality olive oil on top just before serving for an elegant finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the shrimp and zoodles separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This keeps the zoodles from getting too soggy and the shrimp from losing their grilled texture. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner the next day.

Freezing

While shrimp can be frozen, zucchini noodles tend to become watery when frozen and thawed, so it’s best to freeze the shrimp only. Place the marinated raw shrimp in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before grilling for best results.

Reheating

Reheat the grilled shrimp gently in a skillet over low heat to avoid drying them out. If the zoodles have been refrigerated, serve them cold or briefly warm them by sautéing quickly over medium heat to maintain their crunch and freshness.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to fully thaw and pat them dry before marinating and grilling. Fresh or frozen, the key is removing excess moisture so the shrimp sear properly on the grill.

What if I don’t have a grill?

No worries at all! You can cook the shrimp in a hot grill pan or skillet on the stove. Just add a bit of olive oil and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned and opaque.

Are zucchini noodles necessary? Can I use regular pasta?

Zoodles keep this dish light and healthy, but if you prefer, regular pasta works well too. Just cook it according to package instructions and toss with the shrimp and marinade as directed.

Can I make this recipe Whole30 compliant?

Yes! Simply skip the honey in the marinade, and ensure your ingredients meet Whole30 guidelines. The citrus, herbs, and olive oil provide plenty of flavor without added sugars.

How spicy is this dish?

The spice level is mild and customizable. Using black pepper keeps it gentle, while swapping for chipotle chili powder adds a smoky heat. You can adjust according to your taste preferences.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about the way the tangy citrus marinade, smoky grilled shrimp, and crisp zucchini noodles come together in this Citrus Grilled Shrimp Zoodles Recipe. It’s fresh, flavorful, and effortlessly impressive—perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Once you give it a try, I promise you’ll keep coming back to this dish again and again.