Easy Grilled Shrimp Recipe

As soon as you smell that smoky aroma wafting from the grill, you know summer has arrived.There’s nothing better than the sizzle of juicy grilled shrimp hitting the hot grill grates.

If you’re looking for the perfect easy grilled shrimp recipe to make your summer barbecues delicious, you’ve come to the right place. This simple recipe transforms basic shrimp into something special with just a few extra ingredients and minutes on the grill.

We’ll share insider tips for choosing fresh shrimp so you start with the best ingredients. Then a quick marinade in lemon, garlic, and herbs is all you need to infuse the shrimp with bright, zesty flavor.

You’ll be making it all summer long after you see how easy grilled shrimp can be.

Preparing the Shrimp for Grilling

Preparing shrimp for grilling only takes a few minutes.

• The key is to start with raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp that has been patted dry. Letting the shrimp sit out at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling helps them cook more evenly.

• Then toss the shrimp with just enough olive oil or canola oil to lightly coat them. This helps prevent them from sticking to the grill.

• Season simply with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like such as garlic powder, paprika, or oregano.

• Allow the seasoning to penetrate the shrimp for 5-10 minutes before grilling. Whisk together oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, and seasonings for a fast marinade.

Let the shrimp soak for just 5-10 minutes, then they are ready to toss on the hot grill!

Marinating the Shrimp For Grilling

• Before grilling up juicy shrimp, take a few minutes to marinate them to boost flavor. A fast marinade adds lots of taste without the hassle of prolonged marinating.

• Simply combine 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil or canola oil with the juice of 1 lemon or lime, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk together the marinade ingredients until well blended.

• Pat the shrimp dry and add them to a sealable plastic bag or baking dish. Pour the marinade over the shrimp, seal or cover, and let them soak for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally.

• As the shrimp marinate, the acid from the citrus will gently “cook” the proteins while the oil, garlic, and herbs infuse them with flavor.

After marinating, thread the shrimp onto metal or soaked wooden skewers before grilling. The shrimp will caramelize and char beautifully on the grill, boasting a big flavor from the short marinade time.

How to Make Easy Grilled Shrimp Recipe

Ingredients

Whipping up a flavorful grilled shrimp marinade is quick and easy using just a few ingredients. To make the marinade, you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup olive oil or canola oil
• Juice of 1 lemon or lime
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Get the Grill Ready

• If using a charcoal grill, light the coals and let them get hot and ashy before grilling. For a gas grill, preheat to medium-high heat.
• Oil the grill grates right before putting the shrimp on. This prevents them from sticking. Use a grill brush or oil-dipped paper towel.

2. Prepare the Shrimp

• Choose raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp with tails left on. Rinse and pat very dry.
• Toss shrimp with just enough oil to lightly coat them. This enhances browning.
• Season shrimp with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and other spices.

3. Make the Marinade

• Whisk together oil, lemon juice, garlic, and chopped fresh herbs.
• Pour marinade over shrimp and let sit 5-10 minutes.

4. Grill the Shrimp

• Thread shrimp onto metal or pre-soaked wooden skewers to keep them flat.
• Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and lightly charred.
• Flip the shrimp only once to prevent overcooking.

5. Finish with Flavorings

• Brush grilled shrimp with lemon garlic butter or another glaze at the last minute on the grill.
• Garnish with extra chopped herbs and serve while hot off the grill.

How long to grill shrimp

Grilling shrimp takes just minutes to cook them to tender, juicy perfection.

• The specific grilling time depends on the size of the shrimp. Extra jumbo shrimp, around 16-20 counts per pound, will take the longest, with around 4 minutes of total grill time.

• Flip these gargantuan shrimp after 2 minutes, then grill for 2 minutes more. For larger shrimp, around 21-25 counts per pound, they will need 3-4 minutes of total time.

• Grill for 1 1/2 – 2 minutes per side. Medium 26-30 count shrimp cook fastest in just 2-3 minutes total. Grill for 1-1 1/2 minutes per side.

• Small and mini shrimp grill in a flash – just 1-2 minutes total. Always grill shrimp over direct medium-high heat. Watch closely, as shrimp can go from perfect to overdone quickly.

• The shrimp are ready when their flesh is opaque and they have light char marks. Use these grilling times for peeled, tail-on shrimp to enjoy optimal texture and flavor.

Tips for Perfectly Grilled Shrimp

Grilling shrimp is fast and easy with a few simple tips:

• Use raw, peeled shrimp for the best flavor and texture. Rinse, pat very dry, and coat with a little oil before seasoning.

• Choose shrimp with shells removed but tails left on. The tails protect the delicate shrimp meat.

• Preheat the grill properly to medium-high heat. If the grates are too hot, shrimp will char outside before cooking through.

• Oil grill grates right before adding shrimp. This prevents them from sticking. Use a grill brush or oil-dipped paper towel.

• Grill shrimp in a single layer, avoiding crowding. Flip only once during cooking to prevent overcooking.

• Know your shrimp size. Jumbo shrimp need more time than smaller shrimp. Cook until opaque in the center.

• Move shrimp to the cooler side of the grill if they are cooking too fast. Close the lid to increase heat if needed.

• Brush with glaze or drizzle with lemon right at the end for maximum flavor.

• Remove shrimp as soon as they are done. They will continue cooking off the heat. Enjoy tender, juicy shrimp!

Serving Suggestions

• Grilled shrimp make for endless simple and delicious meal ideas. Serve shrimp kabobs over a bed of rice or couscous for a satisfying main dish.

• Pair grilled shrimp with summer salads loaded with fresh veggies and tangy dressings. For easy shrimp tacos or fajitas, wrap shrimp in warm tortillas or taco shells and top with pico de gallo, avocado, and cotija cheese.

• Another classic is shrimp skewers served with grilled corn on the cob and zucchini. For parties, provide a shrimp cocktail station with grilled shrimp chilled and paired with zesty cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.

• Grilled shrimp pasta makes an easy yet impressive dinner – toss with angel hair pasta, fresh basil, olive oil, and shaved parmesan.

• Grilled shrimp also shines in salad sandwiches layered with pesto mayo, baby spinach, and tomato.

• However you choose to serve it, juicy grilled shrimp is sure to satisfy.

How to Store Grilled Shrimp Leftovers

Leftover grilled shrimp need to be handled and stored carefully to preserve quality and avoid spoilage.

• First, let any leftover shrimp cool to room temperature after grilling for about 20 minutes, then put them immediately into the refrigerator or freezer. Refrigerate grilled shrimp for 2-3 days maximum in a sealed container.

• Make sure not to overcrowd the container, as this slows cooling. You can also wrap leftovers in plastic wrap or foil.

• For longer freezer storage, spread out the cooked shrimp in a single layer on a sheet pan and place it in the freezer until frozen solid, about 2 hours.

• Then transfer the frozen shrimp to an airtight freezer bag or container. Label with the date and use within 2-3 months for best flavor and texture.

• Reheat leftover grilled shrimp gently, either in the refrigerator or using the microwave or oven. Enjoy the iconic smoky grilled flavors again!

Conclusion

For a fast, flavorful meal, shrimp on the grill can’t be beat. With a simple marinade and just minutes of cooking time, you can enjoy tender, mouthwatering grilled shrimp any night of the week.

Keeping the marinade and seasoning simple allows the sweet, briny flavor of the shrimp to really sing. Fresh lemon, garlic, herbs, and spices are all you need to enhance their natural goodness.

Paying attention to the shrimp size ensures perfectly cooked shrimp every time. Serving up sizzling hot shrimp off the grill will feel like you have mastered a gourmet recipe, but in reality, this is a super fast and easy dinner.

The only hard part is waiting for your meal as the irresistible aromas of charcoal grilling and caramelizing shrimp fill the air. But it will be well worth it when you take that first juicy, smoky bite of your favorite new go-to grilled shrimp.

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