Grilling Already-Cooked Shrimp: Tips, Tricks and Recipe Ideas

Shrimp are a classic grilling food, with their sweet succulence lending well to the smoky flavors of the grill. But what if your shrimp are already cooked and you want to revive them on the grill? The good news is that you absolutely can grill previously cooked shrimp to add flavor and texture. Read on for tips, proper technique, and some inspirational recipes for grilling cooked shrimp.

Can You Grill Shrimp That’s Already Been Cooked?

Yes, grilling previously cooked shrimp is absolutely possible. In fact, it’s a great way to breathe new life into leftover boiled, sautéed, or fried shrimp. The heat from the grill will impart a lovely char while the smoke will infuse the shrimp with extra flavor. It’s an easy and delicious cooking method.

Grilling is fast and effective on pre-cooked shrimp since you are just warming them through and adding flavor, not trying to fully cook them again. The shrimp will get nice grill marks and char in a matter of minutes.

Pre-cooked shrimp like those found frozen, canned, or served at a shrimp boil are also great candidates for grilling It transforms these ready-to-eat shrimp into a hot, smoky treat

Advantages of Grilling Leftover Cooked Shrimp

There are many benefits to throwing previously cooked shrimp on the grill

• Adds tempting smoky flavor
• Provides delicious char and grill marks
• Quick and easy method
• Great use for leftover shrimp
• Dresses up canned or pre-cooked shrimp
• Infuses with marinades well
• Makes shells crispy and edible
• Gives more texture and flavor
• Allows custom seasoning and sauce
• Fun presentation when skewered
• Works well even when breaded or sauced

So dust off those leftover shrimp and toss them on the grill for a fast and tasty meal It also cuts down on food waste!

Best Practices for Grilling Previously Cooked Shrimp

Grilling pre-cooked shrimp is simple, but following a few best practices will ensure the best results:

• Use peeled, deveined shrimp if possible for most even cooking. Leave shells on a few for visual appeal.
• Pat dry thoroughly before grilling to prevent steaming.
• Coat in oil or marinade for added flavor and moisture.
• Grill over direct medium-high heat for best sear.
• Cook just 1-2 minutes per side until warmed through and charred.
• Use a grill basket or skewers to keep shrimp from falling through grates.
• Glaze or sauce the shrimp in the final minutes of grilling.

With these tips, you’ll end up with tender, juicy shrimp kissed by the grill’s smoke and fire.

Grilled Shrimp Marinade and Seasoning Ideas

One benefit of grilling pre-cooked shrimp is getting to add extra flavor with marinades, rubs, and glazes. Here are some tasty seasoning ideas:

• Lemon garlic butter – Melted over shrimp the last few minutes
• Chili lime dry rub – Sprinkle over shrimp before grilling
• Jerk spice marinade – Let shrimp marinate 15+ minutes beforehand
• Honey ginger glaze – Brush over shrimp at end to caramelize
• Sesame soy marinade – Marinate at least 30 minutes before grilling
• Cajun blackening seasoning – Coat shrimp before hitting grill
• Italian dressing – Marinate shrimp ahead of time
• BBQ sauce – Brush over shrimp toward end of grilling

Get creative with globally inspired flavors! Allow enough marinating time for flavors to permeate the shrimp.

Inspirational Recipes for Grilled Previously Cooked Shrimp

Put your leftover boiled, baked, or fried shrimp to delicious use by grilling and incorporating into these recipes:

• Blackened shrimp tacos – With grilled pineapple salsa and avocado crema

• Shrimp summer rolls – With rice noodles, grilled veggies, and peanut dipping sauce

• Grilled shrimp pasta salad – Tossed with pesto, tomatoes, artichokes, and lemon vinaigrette

• Shrimp sandwich – Grilled shrimp layered with bacon, lettuce, tomato and Cajun aioli

• Shrimp skewers – Alternating with cherry tomatoes and zucchini

• Grilled shrimp panzanella salad – With crusty bread, arugula, red onion, and balsamic vinaigrette

• Garlicky grilled shrimp – Brushed with lemon garlic butter then sprinkled with parsley

Fire up your creativity along with the grill! From skewers to tacos, salads to sandwiches, grilled shrimp always satisfy.

Grilling Cooked Shrimp FAQs

Grilling previously cooked shrimp is simple but there are a few common questions:

How long should I grill cooked shrimp?

Only grill pre-cooked shrimp 1-2 minutes per side over direct medium heat. You just want to warm them through and impart flavor.

Should I butterfly shrimp before grilling?

Butterflying helps shrimp lay flat on the grill for more even cooking. But it’s not mandatory with pre-cooked shrimp.

What’s the best way to prevent shrimp sticking to the grill?

Use a light coating of oil and clean, well-oiled grates. Grilling in a basket also minimizes sticking for delicate shrimp.

Can I grill shrimp with the shells still on?

Yes, grilling shrimp in the shell adds flavor and makes for a nice presentation. Just be sure shells are dry before grilling.

Should I skewer shrimp before grilling?

Skewering makes shrimp easier to handle on the grill. It also allows you to add vegetables or fruits!

The Takeaway on Grilling Leftover Cooked Shrimp

Reviving previously cooked shrimp on the grill results in tender, smoky, char-kissed shrimp you can use in a variety of dishes. With the proper technique, you can give leftover boiled, fried, or other cooked shrimp new life with vibrant grilled flavor.

So put those leftover shrimp to delicious use by tossing them on the grill. Then incorporate them into tacos, salads, pasta, and more innovative recipes. Grilling cooked shrimp is truly fast, tasty cooking at its finest.