This simple method for cooking shrimp on the grill always makes the meatiest, tastiest shrimp! Coated in a slightly spicy lemon seasoning and served with garlic herb butter, you’ll fall in love with this seafood favorite all over again.
Grilling shrimp is a quick and easy way to add flavor and excitement to any meal The smoky, charred flavor pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness of the shrimp While grilling shrimp is simple, it can be easy to over or undercook them if you don’t know how long to cook them for. Undercooked shrimp are unsafe to eat and overcooked shrimp become rubbery and dry. So how long should you cook raw shrimp on the grill?
The cooking time can vary slightly based on a few factors like the size of the shrimp, thickness, if it was frozen or not, and how hot your grill is Below I’ll go over everything you need to know to get perfect grilled shrimp every single time
How Long to Grill Raw Shrimp Based on Size
The size of shrimp makes the biggest difference in grilling times. As a general guideline:
- Small shrimp – 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side
- Medium shrimp – 2 to 3 minutes per side
- Large shrimp – 3 to 4 minutes per side
- Jumbo shrimp– 4 to 5 minutes per side
Shrimp will be longer on one side since the underside is more protected from the direct heat. After flipping halfway through, cook a minute less on the second side.
Pay attention to when the shrimp curl and turn opaque. Once opaque, they only need another 30 seconds or so per side.
To be exact, shrimp should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness if you want perfect results every time.
account for frozen shrimp
If you are grilling shrimp that was previously frozen, it will take a little longer to cook through since the centers will be colder. Add an extra 1-2 minutes of total cooking time for frozen shrimp to compensate.
Make sure frozen shrimp are fully thawed before grilling. The easiest way is to place them in a single layer in the refrigerator overnight. You can also thaw in cold water in under 30 minutes if you’re in a pinch.
Adjust for thicker shrimp
Some shrimp are thicker than others even when they are the same size. Thicker shrimp will need a little longer on the grill to cook through completely. Pay attention to the opacity and curl to determine when they are done.
Use a thermometer to double check, especially for extra thick shrimp.
Account for grill temperature
A hot grill is key for grilling shrimp fast enough to get that charred exterior before the interior overcooks. Preheat your grill on high for 10-15 minutes before adding the shrimp.
If your grill runs hot, reduce the heat to medium high instead so you don’t burn the outside before the inside cooks.
If your grill runs cool, keep the heat on high and watch the shrimp closely for doneness cues. It may take an extra minute per side.
How to Tell When Shrimp is Done
It’s important not to over or undercook shrimp. Here’s how to tell when they are just right:
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Opaque – shrimp will turn from grey and translucent on the outside to solid opaque white/pink when fully cooked.
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Curl – properly cooked shrimp will curl into a C shape when the proteins tighten.
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145°F internal temperature – use an instant read thermometer to check the thickest part.
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Firm not mushy – shrimp should feel firm yet slightly springy. If they are mushy, they are undercooked.
Tips to Grill Shrimp Perfectly
Follow these tips for perfect grilled shrimp every time:
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Dry shrimp well and coat in oil – this helps them caramelize instead of steam.
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Use a grill basket – the holes let smokey flavor in while keeping small shrimp from falling through grill grates.
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Skewer shrimp – threading shrimp on a skewer makes them easy to flip all at once. Soak wooden skewers first to prevent burning.
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Brush on sauce at the end – wait until after flipping to brush on any sauce glaze, otherwise it can burn.
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Don’t crowd – shrimp need room to allow smoke circulation and even cooking.
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Clean grates – oil and preheat grill grates well so shrimp don’t stick.
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Check temperature – use an instant read thermometer to eliminate any guesswork.
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Rest 3 minutes – resting locks in the juices for plump, juicy texture.
How to Grill Shrimp Step-By-Step
Follow these simple steps for perfect grilled shrimp every time:
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Pat shrimp dry and coat with oil – this helps them caramelize instead of steam
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Optionally skewer shrimp or place in grill basket
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Preheat grill to high heat. Clean and oil grates.
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Cook shrimp for 2-4 minutes per side based on size. Flip halfway.
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Brush with sauce during last 1-2 minutes if desired
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Check doneness cues – curling, opaque, firm texture
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Use an instant read thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 145°F
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Remove from grill and let rest 3 minutes before serving
Grilling shrimp is easy and fast. In less than 10 minutes you can have a plate of tender, smokey shrimp ready to top salads, pasta, rice bowls and more.
Just be sure to factor in the shrimp size, thickness and grill temperature to determine the best cooking times. Rely on visual cues like opaque coloring and curling along with an instant read thermometer for foolproof results.
Now that you know exactly how long to cook shrimp on the grill, you can enjoy this quick and healthy meal any night of the week. Share your favorite ways to serve up grilled shrimp in the comments below!
Frequency of Entities:
grill: 28
shrimp: 51
temperature: 4
time: 14
cook: 14
minute: 9
side: 10
size: 5
opaque: 3
curl: 3
cooked: 4
perfect: 4
results: 2
raw: 2
thicker: 2
adjust: 2
account: 2
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For the Grilled Shrimp
- Large Shrimp: To get rid of the shell, pull off the head and legs of each shrimp and then peel off the shell from the top down. You can leave the tail on for decoration if you want to. Next, take a knife and carefully peel off the shrimp’s back vein. To loosen it, use the tip of a knife. If you need to, use tweezers to hold it.
- Olive Oil
- Fresh-Minced Garlic: Don’t use garlic from a bottle; it won’t have the same strong flavor as garlic that has been freshly minced.
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt & Pepper
- Zest a fresh lemon. Make sure you zest only the lemon’s yellow skin and not its white pith.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
You sure can! Oftentimes, frozen shrimp are actually preferable to fresh ones. This is because they’re frozen as soon as they’re caught, immediately preserving their texture and flavor. Just remember to thaw out the shrimp before you use them.
This is usually done by putting the shrimp in the fridge the night before I want to grill them. If you need to thaw the shrimp faster, you can put them in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are defrosted. Stir the shrimp every so often to break up any that have clumped together.
Want an easy way to grill shrimp indoors? I highly recommend investing in a stovetop grill pan. That way, you can enjoy grilled shrimp rain or shine!
Preheat Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high heat.
Add the shrimp, olive oil, garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and lemon zest to a medium-sized bowl. Season the shrimp. Toss until all of the shrimp are evenly coated.
Thread Onto Skewers: Thread the shrimp onto your skewers starting from the bottom and going through the top so the shrimp stays on and doesn’t fall off. Here are some of my favorite skewers to use because they are double-pronged and hold everything still instead of spinning around the skewer.. If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for 30 minutes before you do so.
Grill: Put the shrimp skewers that have been prepared on clean grill grates and cook them for two to three minutes on each side. Remove the shrimp from the grill once they turn pink. Do not overcook them.
To make garlic butter, melt the butter and mix it with salt, chopped parsley, and garlic in a small bowl while the shrimp are resting.
Brush Onto Shrimp: Brush the homemade garlic butter onto the grilled shrimp and enjoy!
Super Quick Video Tips: The Best Way to Grill Shrimp
How do you cook shrimp on a grill?
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Place the shrimp on the grill in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Close the grill lid and let the shrimp cook for 2-3 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, aiming for 145°F (63°C).
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!
How long do you cook shrimp on a gas grill?
You’ll then want to place either the skewers or the basket on the preheated grill. When you cook up a batch of shrimp, keep the grill uncovered and use a medium heat (one layer of coals or a medium flame on a gas grill). As far as time is concerned, it should take between six and eight minutes for your shrimp to cook through.
How to cook grilled shrimp without overcooking?
Utilizing skewers or a grill basket, marinating the shrimp, and choosing the right size shrimp are all additional steps you can take to ensure perfectly grilled shrimp every time. So fire up the grill and enjoy some delectable grilled shrimp without the fear of overcooking.