How Long Should You BBQ Shrimp? A Detailed Guide

As summertime approaches, firing up the grill becomes a weekly occurrence for many backyard cooks. Grilling shrimp is a quick and easy way to add variety to your BBQ menu. But knowing exactly how long to cook shrimp can be confusing. Undercook them and you risk food poisoning. Overcook them and you end up with rubbery, flavorless shrimp. So how long do you actually bbq shrimp to achieve tender, juicy results? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Choose Your Shrimp Size Wisely

The first step is selecting what size shrimp to buy. Shrimp are categorized by “count”, which refers to the number of shrimp per pound. The smaller the count the larger the shrimp. Here are the common sizes

• Colossal (U10) – 10 or less per pound
• Jumbo (16/20) – 16 to 20 per pound
• Extra Large (21/25) – 21 to 25 per pound
• Large (26/30) – 26 to 30 per pound
• Medium (36/40) – 36 to 40 per pound
• Small (51/60) – 51 to 60 per pound

For grilling, medium and small shrimp are not ideal. Their tiny size makes them difficult to thread onto skewers and they overcook very quickly. Large jumbo extra large, and colossal shrimp are better choices. Their thicker meat takes a bit longer to cook, allowing more time to develop flavor on the grill before overcooking.

Jumbo shrimp are a smart choice for beginners since their size provides some wiggle room for grilling time. For more experienced BBQ pros, colossal and extra large shrimp cook the fastest and require constant attention.

Prep Your Shrimp for the Grill

Proper prep is key for tender grilled shrimp. Here are some tips:

• Peel and devein – For maximum flavor and easy turning, peel the shrimp but leave the tail intact. Use a paring knife to slice along the back and remove the digestive tract.

• Dry thoroughly – Pat the shrimp very dry before grilling. Extra moisture causes steaming which prevents browning.

• Use skewers – Threading shrimp onto skewers makes flipping and removing from grill easy. Soak wooden skewers beforehand to prevent burning.

• Coat with oil – Lightly coat shrimp with an oil that has a high smoke point like avocado, grapeseed, or canola oil. Oil helps prevent sticking and drying out.

• Season simply – Shrimp have a naturally sweet flavor that’s easily overwhelmed. Stick to a simple seasoning like salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning.

Know Your Grill Setup

Shrimp cook times vary drastically depending on your grill setup. Here are common options:

Gas Grill

• Direct High Heat – 350°F to 450°F
• Direct Medium-High Heat – 300°F to 350°F

Charcoal Grill

• Direct High Heat – Coals spread in an even layer
• Direct Medium-High Heat – Coals banked to one side

Pellet Grill

• 350°F to 450°F

In general, high direct heat is best for achieving a good char while preventing overcooking. Adjust heat down if shrimp are cooking too fast.

Grill Those Shrimp!

Now comes the fun part – tossing the shrimp on the grill! Follow these guidelines for perfect doneness:

• Place shrimp over direct high heat around 400°F.

• Grill for 2-3 minutes per side for large or jumbo shrimp.

• Grill for 1-2 minutes per side for colossal or extra large shrimp.

• Adjust times up or down if using a higher or lower temperature.

• Shrimp are fully cooked when their flesh is opaque throughout.

• Resist the urge to flip or move shrimp frequently. Let them char before turning.

• Remove shrimp immediately when done to prevent overcooking.

• Allow 3-5 minutes of rest time before eating.

And that’s it! With a little trial and error, you’ll get the hang of exactly how long your shrimp need for your particular grill setup and taste preferences. Soon you’ll be an expert at grilling up the perfect batch of shrimp all summer long.

Handy Chart for Grilling Times

To summarize, here is a handy chart to reference for approximate grilling times based on shrimp size and grill temperature:

Keep in mind grilling times are a guideline only. The thickness of the shrimp, distance from heat source, and accuracy of your grill temperature gauge can all impact cooking time.

The best way to test doneness is to slice into a thick section of a shrimp to check if it’s opaque throughout. When in doubt, err on the side of slightly undercooked since you can always put shrimp back on the grill for another minute.

Helpful Tips for Grilled Shrimp Success

Grilling shrimp may seem simple, but there are some common pitfalls. Here are tips to help you nail shrimp on the barbecue every time:

• Invest in a good instant read thermometer to check accuracy of grill temperature.
• Use two sets of tongs – one for raw and one for cooked shrimp to prevent cross-contamination.
• Cut into a shrimp to check for doneness. Color alone can be misleading.
• Don’t ignore rest time. Shrimp continue cooking after removal from grill.
• Freeze raw shrimp in marinade blocks for easy defrosting and flavor infusion.
• Soak wooden skewers for 30 minutes prior or use metal skewers.
• Clean grill thoroughly before and after cooking shrimp to prevent lingering bacteria.
• Avoid basting shrimp with thick sauces which can cause burning. Brush on after cooking instead.

Fun Ways to Jazz Up Grilled Shrimp

Plain grilled shrimp is delicious, but the fun of backyard grilling is experimenting with different flavors. Here are ideas for jazzing up shrimp on the barbecue:

• Marinate – Soak shrimp for 30 minutes up to overnight in mojo, Mexican adobo, Greek lemon garlic marinade, or Caribbean jerk seasoning.
• Rub – Coat shrimp in dry spices like brown sugar, chili powder, curry powder, or Cajun seasoning.
• Skewer – Make shrimp kebabs with vegetables like pepper, onion, zucchini, and pineapple.
• Sauce it – Toss cooked shrimp in flavorful sauces like chimichurri, Thai peanut, or charred lemon butter.
• Slather – Brush shrimp during last minute on grill with glazes like honey-chipotle, bourbon barbecue, or sriracha-lime.

So next time you fire up the grill, don’t just stick with hot dogs and burgers. Throw some shrimp on and expand your BBQ horizons! Just follow this guide to take the guesswork out of how long you should actually be grilling those shrimp. Soon you’ll be a shrimp grilling pro serving up the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer.