Grilled Shrimp

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Get ready to enjoy juicy, flavorful Grilled Shrimp marinated in lemon juice and my signature spice blend! My recipe for grilled shrimp is ready to eat in under 30 minutes and is perfect for shrimp tacos, salad, pasta, and more.

Grilled Shrimp Recipe

If there's one thing I feel truly spoiled about living in Florida, it's the shrimp. Fresh shrimp is so easy to come by out here, and frankly, I don't know where I'd be without it! Easy shrimp scampi, shrimp tacos, shrimp on rice... I just can't get enough.

But if I had to choose a favorite, it would be my marinated grilled shrimp. This easy shrimp recipe is famous with my friends and family and is always a hit at our BBQs.

All it takes is a few easy ingredients to whip up a delicious grilled shrimp marinade, a grill, and a table of eager people to feed! After all, who can say no to grilled shrimp skewers? Not me!

Grilling Shrimp Ingredients

• Shrimp: I prefer to grill jumbo shrimp, as they're big enough not to fall between the grill grates. If you're using small shrimp, skewer them on wooden skewers first. Everyone loves shrimp skewers!
• Vegetable Oil: This isn't for the shrimp itself—you'll want some extra vegetable oil for the grill to prevent the shrimp from sticking.
• Shrimp Marinade: Shown below! This is the best marinade for grilled shrimp I've ever tasted!

Grilled Shrimp Marinade

The secret to grilled shrimp is a quick and easy marinade. You can make it from all sorts of things, but my favorite is a simple mix of olive oil, lemon juice, and my signature shrimp seasoning blend! Mix them up together and toss the shrimp in them.

Here's the secret: you shouldn't marinate shrimp for very long. Because shellfish is so soft and tender, it can break down very fast when added to acids like lemon juice. Just let it marinate for 10 minutes and you'll have perfect shrimp!

Shrimp Marinade Ingredients

• Shrimp Seasoning: My homemade blend, and the secret to the best grilled shrimp!
  • Garlic Powder: Sweet and aromatic garlic powder adds tons of flavor! I recommend it over fresh garlic, which has a hard time sticking to the shrimp and tends to burn or fall off the shrimp on the grill.
  • Onion Powder: There's a special sweetness to onion powder you can't find in fresh onions. I highly recommend adding onion powder to the mix as it really makes the flavor pop!
  • Cumin: Cumin is wonderfully earthy and warm, and you don't need much to add a whole lot of flavor!
  • Cayenne: In my opinion, shrimp isn't complete without just a bit of heat. A pinch of cayenne brings that tiny bit of bite that it needs to shine!
  • Salt: I highly recommend Maldon sea salt flakes or kosher salt. Do not use table salt, as it will generally add an unwanted metallic flavor to your food. You can use more or less salt depending on your preferences.
  • Black Pepper: A little peppery heat pairs beautifully with the char from the grill!
• Olive Oil: Olive oil is my favorite fat to add to shrimp; it helps seasonings stick and adds a silky richness that makes shrimp extra juicy!
• Lemon Juice: A little lemon juice brings out the best in shrimp, balancing out the richness of the shrimp and the spice of the seasonings. You can also use lime juice if you prefer the taste!

How to Grill Shrimp

1: Mix the Seasonings

Preheat the grill to high heat. While it's heating, combine the cumin, salt, pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl, and mix well.

2: Coat Shrimp

Clean and devein the shrimp, then place it in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and lemon juice, and toss well to coat.

3: Season Shrimp

Sprinkle the prepared shrimp seasoning blend over the shrimp, and toss well until all are evenly coated. Let marinate 10 minutes.

4: Oil Grill and Cook

Brush the grill tongs down with vegetable oil, then place the shrimp on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque with dark grill lines. If you're using small shrimp, be sure to put them on a skewer!

5: Remove and Serve!

Remove from the grill and serve immediately alongside an extra squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of seasonings!

Tips for Grilling Shrimp

• Customize the seasonings as you see fit! Use lime juice and chopped cilantro for a Tex-Mex twist, swap the olive oil out for garlic butter, or add a dash of cayenne pepper and paprika for an earthy heat.
• Don't over-marinate! Shrimp doesn't need long to get flavorful; you can even give it a quick toss in the marinade and cook it right away! I like to let it sit for 10 minutes to really soak up flavor before popping the shrimp on the grill.
• You can use frozen shrimp, too! Just thaw the shrimp by placing it in a sealed bag and immersing the bag in cold water. If you're planning ahead, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
• I use a gas grill, but charcoal grills will work too. Just make sure to heat the charcoals nice and hot.
• Love this recipe? Try my Chinese Prawns next! They're always a hit!

How Long to Cook Shrimp on the Grill

How long you grill shrimp depends on the size of the shrimp, the cook time will vary. Jumbo shrimp will typically take the full 3 minutes per side, while medium shrimp may take closer to 2 minutes. Keep an eye on the shrimp to remove them as soon the flesh turns opaque.

How Long to Grill Shrimp Skewers

If you're using smaller shrimp, you'll want to put them on skewers before grilling so they don't fall through the grates. Because the shrimp are smaller, they cook a little faster than full-size jumbo shrimp. I recommend only grilling shrimp skewers for 2 minutes per side, but you can safely remove them as soon as the flesh is pink and opaque and char has started to form.

How to Store Grilled Shrimp

Grilled shrimp can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. However, I recommend eating it the same day!

More Easy Grilling Recipes

• Grilled Turkey - a showstopper any time of year!
• Grilled Lamb Chops - complete with a mustard, rosemary, and garlic glaze!
• Grilled Short Ribs - a favorite for good reason, these tender short ribs are a huge hit at BBQs and family gatherings!
• Grilled Chicken Salad - Add a bit of green to the table with this delectable salad!
• Grilled Pork Chops - my absolute favorite way to serve pork chops!

See my guide on How to Devein and Peel Shrimp - plus, How to Make Crab Legs!

Grilled Shrimp

Recipe Author: Isabel Laessig

My favorite way to serve shrimp, and probably the easiest, too! My marinated Grilled Shrimp are a new BBQ family favorite for sure!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Marinating Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Calories 180 kcal

Video

Equipment

• Grill
• 2 mixing bowls 1 small, 1 large
• Wooden skewers optional
• Grill brush
• Grill tongs

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 lb Shrimp - deveined and peeled
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Vegetable oil - for the grill

Shrimp Marinade

• ▢ 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon Ground cumin
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Lemon juice - freshly squeezed

Instructions 

• Preheat your grill to high heat. In a shallow bowl combine garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper. Mix the seasoning well.
  1 teaspoon Garlic powder,1 teaspoon Onion powder,½ teaspoon Salt,1 teaspoon Black pepper,¼ teaspoon Ground cumin,¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• In a large bowl add your peeling and deveined shrimp, olive oil, and lemon juice. Toss and coat the shrimp well.
  2 Tablespoons Olive oil,1 Tablespoon Lemon juice,1 lb Shrimp
• Sprinkle in your shrimp seasoning, and coat each shrimp well. Let marinate for 10 minutes if desired. If you are using smaller shrimp, thread them on a skewer.
• Brush the grill with vegetable oil to help with sticking. Add the seasoned shrimp to the grill and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side. The shrimp should be pink and opaque.
  1 Tablespoon Vegetable oil
• Serve the grilled shrimp immediately and enjoy!

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5 from 1 vote

Notes

• Customize the seasonings as you see fit! Use lime juice and chopped cilantro for a tex-mex twist, swap the olive oil out for garlic butter, or add a dash of cayenne pepper and paprika for an earthy heat.
• Don't over-marinate! Shrimp doesn't need long to get flavorful; you can even give it a quick toss in the marinade and cook it right away! I like to let it sit for 10 minutes to really soak up flavor before popping the shrimp on the grill.
• You can use frozen shrimp, too! Just thaw the shrimp by placing it in a sealed bag and immersing the bag in cold water. If you're planning ahead, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
• I use a gas grill, but charcoal grills will work too. Just make sure to heat the charcoals nice and hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 16gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 934mgPotassium: 157mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 261IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 0.5mg

Shrimp on the Grill FAQ