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Escape to Portugal in your own backyard with grilled shrimp and chorizo skewers and a bottle of Vinho Verde wine.
Since I don’t have any upcoming international trips planned at the moment, I wanted to create my own little cultural escape right at home! Today I’m diving into a white one from the Vinho Verde region of Portugal.
Vinho Verde wines are usually quite versatile and can be enjoyed year round. For this post, I’m going with a crisp and slightly floral white – the Quinta Da Aveleda. This wine is produced exclusively with grapes that come from the Aveleda Estate. The family at the estate has actually been producing wine there since 1870, now that is impressive! 
I like to enjoy this wine chilled especially during the warmer months. Here I paired it with a juicy chorizo and shrimp skewer. This wine works really well with seafood dishes, and like all wines from the Vinho Verde region, it’s super food friendly. Chunks of pineapple were added to the skewers as the wine has a few tropical notes that I thought paired well with the sweetness of the pineapple. I topped the skewers with a fresh cilantro lime sauce and served them on a bed of greens.
This would be a great meal to put together for a party or friendly get together or to even just enjoy at home as a dinner for 2!
Enjoy!
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Shrimp and Chorizo Skewers with Vinho Verde Wine
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: Serves 12 1x
- Diet: Pescatarian, Omnivore
Description
Grilled shrimp and chorizo skewers with a zesty cilantro-lime sauce. Perfect for a summer barbecue!
Ingredients
- 1 cups (237 ml) tightly packed cilantro
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic
- 2 limes
- 1 medium pineapple (peeled, cored and cut into 1” pieces)
- 3 chorizo sausage links
- 36 medium sized shrimps (peeled and tails removed)
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 12 skewer sticks
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil (if using a grill pan)
- 4 cups (946 ml) salad greens (suggest a mix of arugula and spinach)
Instructions
- Wash and dry all produce.
- Add the cilantro, olive oil, garlic, and the juice of 2 limes to a food processor. Pulse until the cilantro is chopped into tiny pieces and all ingredients have combined to form a liquid-like sauce.
- Bring a large saucepan filled with water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add in the chorizo sausage links and boil for 7 minutes.
- Remove sausage and set aside until it is cool enough to handle.
- Place the raw shrimp in a large bowl.
- Add the paprika, cayenne, and cumin. Toss until all of the shrimps are coated.
- Once the sausage has cooled down, slice the links into 36 even rounds (each should be approx. ½” thick).
- Assemble the skewers: Thread a skewer with one piece of pineapple, followed by a shrimp, then a chorizo round. Repeat with another pineapple, shrimp, and chorizo round. Finish with a pineapple piece. Repeat until all ingredients are used.
- Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat (approximately 375°F/190°C). If using a grill pan, brush on vegetable oil.
- Place the skewers on the grill and cook for approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove from pan and set aside until ready to serve.
- When serving, place a handful of salad greens on the plate, add skewers, and top with cilantro lime sauce.
Notes
- For easier handling, partially freeze the shrimp before threading onto skewers.
- To prevent the chorizo from burning, pre-cook it slightly as instructed, then finish grilling it on the skewers.
- Leftover skewers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; the sauce is best served fresh.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Spanish-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 150
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of shrimp should I use for the skewers?
Use large or jumbo shrimp for the skewers, as they hold up well on the grill and provide a satisfying bite.
Can I substitute the chorizo with another type of sausage?
Yes, you can substitute chorizo with another smoky sausage like Andouille or kielbasa, but it will alter the flavor profile slightly.
How do I make the cilantro lime sauce for the skewers?
To make the cilantro lime sauce, blend fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and a bit of olive oil until smooth, adjusting the ingredients to taste.
