One simple pleasure of summer is grilled shrimp that are soft and slightly charred. But only if you know how to grill them right. This grilled shrimp recipe (with the best shrimp marinade!) will help you make perfect grilled shrimp every time.
Grilled shrimp can easily go from juicy and tender to rubbery and dry in the blink of an eye. But with the right techniques, you can grill shrimp to perfection every time. Here are my top 10 tips for grilling shrimp so it turns out moist and flavorful, not tough and chewy.
1. Choose Large Shrimp
Bigger is better when it comes to grilling shrimp. Opt for jumbo or colossal shrimp – the larger size makes them easier to grill without overcooking. The meat stays moist while the outside chars. Shrimp labeled “16/20 per pound” are ideal. Smaller shrimp like “51/60 per pound” are tricky to grill before drying out.
2. Skewer Them Densely
If using medium or small shrimp, pack them close together on skewers. Crowding helps them cook evenly and prevents overcooking. Place each shrimp nearly touching the next. You can fit 4-6 per skewer.
3. Soak Skewers
To prevent burning, soak bamboo or wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using The water allows them to withstand the grill heat better Disposable metal skewers are a convenient option too.
4. Brine First
Soaking shrimp in a saltwater brine plumps and seasons them. Mix 1/3 cup salt and 1/3 cup sugar with 8 cups water. Submerge peeled shrimp for 2-3 hours. Rinse then pat dry before grilling. The saltwater brine keeps them juicy.
5. Oil the Grates
Before placing shrimp on the grill, thoroughly grease the hot grates with oil. Shrimp are prone to sticking, so the oil prevents this Use tongs to rub an oiled paper towel over the grates
6. Grill Over Direct High Heat
Shrimp cook fast, so use high, direct heat. This sears the outside while locking in moisture. Keep the lid off so you can closely monitor doneness. Lower heat risks drying them out before charring.
7. Grill Just 2-3 Minutes Per Side
Depending on size, shrimp only need 2-3 minutes per side over direct high heat. Resist flipping too soon or they’ll be underdone. Wait until opaque halfway through before flipping. A slight char is ideal.
8. Use a Flavorful Marinade or Rub
Soak shrimp in an acidic marinade before grilling, or coat with a spicy dry rub. The salt, acid, and fat will prevent moisture loss. Yogurt- or mayo-based marinades work well.
9. Baste While Cooking
Frequently baste shrimp with marinade or olive oil as they grill. Brush liberally over the surface to keep them from drying out. Basting replaces moisture lost during cooking.
10. Don’t Overcrowd the Grates
Resist overloading the grates with too many shrimp. They won’t char correctly if crowded. Work in batches to allow proper airflow around each piece. Wait until nearly cooked through before glazing or saucing.
With these handy tips, you can grill plump, juicy shrimp every time. Proper preparation is key – brining, skewering, and basting prevent overcooking. High direct heat chars the outside before moisture escapes. Follow these steps to avoid chewy grilled shrimp for good!
How Long to Grill Shrimp
It should take about two to three minutes per side to grill shrimp, but this is just a guess. The exact time will depend on the size of the shrimp and the temperature of your grill.
Because there can be some variation, instead of watching the clock, it’s important to watch the shrimp.
Shrimp are done cooking when:
- The tails curl slightly (a tight curl means they’re over-cooked!).
- The color goes from translucent gray to opaque pink.
- Teriyaki Grilled Shrimp. To add an Asian flair to your grilled shrimp, use the teriyaki sauce from my Teriyaki Salmon recipe. Just brush the shrimp with the teriyaki sauce right before you grill them and again when they’re done.
- Broiled Shrimp. To cook the shrimp in the oven, preheat the broiler. Put foil on a sheet pan and spray it with nonstick spray (or use a cast-iron skillet that has been used a lot). Broil the shrimp for two to three minutes, then turn them over and broil for another two to three minutes, or until the pink is no longer see-through.
- Lemon Pepper Shrimp. Lemon and pepper go well with seafood—check out my Lemon Pepper Salmon for proof! You can use store-bought or homemade lemon pepper seasoning, or you can use the seasoning or marinade linked in my original grilled shrimp recipe. Add more lemon juice and freshly ground pepper to the shrimp before serving. Swap in lime juice or cayenne pepper for a kick.
- Sweet and Smoky Grilled Shrimp. For a great mix of sweet and savory tastes, use my Salmon Seasoning, which has garlic powder, smoked paprika, and brown sugar.
How to Make Grilled Shrimp
- Shrimp. You can technically skip peeling and deveining, but I suggest you do both. Peeling will help the seasoning or marinade stick to the vegetables better, and deveining will keep people from getting nasty grit in their mouths while they eat.
- Shrimp Marinade or Grilled Shrimp Seasoning. Just pick your own adventure! Either way, this grilled shrimp recipe will taste great.
- Canola Oil. Because it has a higher smoke point, we use canola oil instead of olive oil here.
Smaller shrimp will need to be turned into grilled shrimp skewers before they can be cooked on the grill. You should thread them through two skewers instead of one. That way, when you need to flip them over, they won’t fall over.
- Marinade or Season the Shrimp. Let the marinade sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. If seasoning, you can cook the shrimp right away.
- Grill. Oil the grill or pan, and then cook the shrimp on both sides until they are pink and opaque. Serve immediately and ENJOY!.
How do you grill shrimp without drying it out?
How do you cook shrimp on a grill?
Here’s how to cook shrimp on the grill (or jump to the full recipe ): Step 1: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450°F). Place fresh or thawed shrimp in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and season with oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt.
How do you cook grilled shrimp rain or Shine?
That way, you can enjoy grilled shrimp rain or shine! Preheat Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Season Shrimp: Add the shrimp to a medium-sized bowl along with the olive oil, garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and lemon zest. Toss until all of the shrimp are evenly coated.
How long do you marinate shrimp before grilling?
Marinade or Season the Shrimp. For marinade, let sit at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. If seasoning, you can cook the shrimp right away. Grill. Brush the grill or pan with oil, then grill the shrimp on both sides until they’re pink and opaque. Serve immediately and ENJOY!
Can you cook Jumbo Shrimp on a grill?
Jumbo shrimp can be cooked directly on the grill; if you use smaller shrimp, you’ll need to make grilled shrimp skewers. I recommend threading them through two skewers instead of one, which will keep them from flipping when you have to turn them over. Marinade or Season the Shrimp. For marinade, let sit at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.