How Long Should You Cook Grilled Shrimp For Perfectly Juicy Results Every Time?

Grilled shrimp is one of the quickest and easiest ways to prepare shrimp. With just a few minutes over direct heat, you can have tender, juicy shrimp ready to devour. But exactly how long should grilled shrimp cook for best results? Here’s a complete guide to cooking times for grilled shrimp, including tips to ensure it turns out perfectly cooked without overdoing it.

What Size Shrimp Should You Buy For Grilling?

When grilling shrimp, you’ll get the best results by choosing larger shrimp that are less likely to overcook. Good options include

• Large shrimp (31-40 per pound)
• Extra large (21-25 per pound)
• Jumbo shrimp (16-20 per pound)

Medium or small shrimp can overcook quickly on the grill and be prone to drying out Larger shrimp hold up better to the direct high heat

I recommend buying shrimp deveined but with the shell and tail on for grilling. The shell helps retain moisture, while the tail gives you something easy to grab onto when flipping them.

How Long Does It Take to Grill Shrimp Based on Size?

Grilling times can vary slightly based on the exact size of the shrimp. Here are general guidelines:

• Large shrimp: 3 minutes per side
• Extra large shrimp: 3 minutes per side
• Jumbo shrimp: 3.5-4 minutes per side

The cooking time also depends on how hot your grill is. Aim for a medium-high direct heat between 375-450°F.

No matter the size, shrimp should turn opaque and pink when they are fully cooked. When you peek at the flesh, it should no longer appear translucent.

Helpful Tips For Grilling Shrimp Perfectly

Follow these tips and you’ll have tender, juicy grilled shrimp every time:

• Pat shrimp dry before grilling to prevent steaming. Any excess moisture on their surface will turn to steam from the heat, resulting in a rubbery texture.

• Use a light coating of oil. A quick drizzle of olive oil or avocado oil helps the seasonings stick. But don’t overdo it, or the shrimp may steam instead of sear.

• Go easy on marinades. Acidic ingredients like lemon juice and vinegar can start “cooking” the shrimp early, leading to a mushy texture. Limit marinating time to 30 minutes or less.

• Preheat grill properly. Let the grill heat up for at least 10-15 minutes first. Shrimp cook fast over direct heat.

• Clean the grates. A clean cooking surface helps prevent shrimp from sticking. Brush the grates and oil them with a high smoke point oil.

• Use a grill basket. Placing shrimp in a grill basket makes them easier to flip and prevents any from falling through the grates.

• Don’t move them too much. Shrimp are delicate and can fall apart if you flip them repeatedly. Carefully flip once halfway through cooking.

• Remove immediately when done. Shrimp overcooks quickly. Have everything else ready so you can pull them off and serve.

How To Tell When Grilled Shrimp Is Done

It’s important not to overcook shrimp, or it can turn rubbery and dry. Look for these signs grilled shrimp is fully cooked:

• Opaque, pink flesh. When raw, the flesh is translucent gray. When cooked, it will turn solid pink/white.

• Straight shape. When perfectly cooked, shrimp forms a tight “C” shape. Overcooked shrimp starts to straighten.

• Flaky, not mushy. Poke a shrimp with a fork. It should flake, not feel mushy.

• Spice darkened. Any spices coating the shell blacken slightly.

Don’t rely only on total cooking time. Shrimp cooks fast, so check doneness frequently. An instant read thermometer should register 145°F.

Common Grilled Shrimp Mistakes

It’s easy to go wrong cooking shrimp on the grill. Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Too high heat. Shrimp requires medium-high heat between 375-450°F. Any hotter can lead to burning.

• Not preheating. Letting the grill heat up first ensures the shrimp cooks as quickly as possible.

• Overcrowding. Too many shrimp bunched together steam instead of sear. Work in batches if needed.

• Moving too much. Excess flipping leads to broken, overhandled shrimp. Carefully flip only once.

• Saucing too early. Brushing on barbecue sauce before shrimp is cooked can make it gummy. Wait until after removing from grill.

• Overcooking. It takes restraint to pull shrimp off the grill while still moist. But letting them overcook leads to rubbery, flavorless results.

Cooking Shrimp on a Skewer

Grilling shrimp on skewers makes them easy to maneuver on the grill. But the skewer itself acts as an additional conduction surface, helping to cook the shrimp. So shrimp on skewers often requires slightly less time than shrimp grilled directly on the grates.

For shrimp on wooden or metal skewers, deduct about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side from the total stated grilling time. Stick to the same size shrimp recommendations. Just watch closely for doneness instead of relying on time.

Make sure wooden skewers are pre-soaked before using to prevent burning. Double metal skewers can prevent shrimp from spinning when you try to flip them.

Grilled Shrimp Cooking Times At a Glance

For quick reference, here are approximate grilling times for shrimp:

• Large shrimp: 2.5-3 minutes per side
• Extra large shrimp: 3 minutes per side
• Jumbo shrimp: 3.5-4 minutes per side

Reduce time by 30 seconds – 1 minute if using skewers. Always check for visual signs like opaque flesh rather than just timing.

How To Use Leftover Grilled Shrimp

Properly stored, leftover grilled shrimp keeps in the fridge for 2-3 days. Here are some delicious ways to use up extras:

• Salad topping – Add to green, grain, pasta, or fruit salads.

• Tacos – Serve in warmed corn tortillas with fixings like avocado and cotija cheese.

• Sandwich/wrap filling – Stuff in a crusty hoagie, pita, or wrap with veggies.

• Pizza/flatbread topping – Scatter on flatbread or pizza with other toppings.

• Rice or grain bowl – Spoon over rice, quinoa, farro, etc. along with chopped vegetables.

• Appetizer – Reheat or serve chilled with cocktail or aioli sauce for dipping.

• Omelet or frittata filling – Add to egg dishes for extra protein.

Don’t overcook shrimp initially, and you’ll have delicious leftovers to use in creative ways for meals later on in the week!

The Takeaway On Cooking Times for Grilled Shrimp

Perfectly cooked grilled shrimp takes just 2 1/2 – 4 minutes per side over direct medium-high heat, depending on size. Watch carefully for visual signs of doneness like opaque flesh. Resist the urge to overcook, and you’ll be rewarded with tender, juicy, flavorful grilled shrimp every time you fire up the barbecue.