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This week, try something new: these easy Traeger Grilled Shrimp Kabobs! They are one of my favorite FAST meals, and all of my kids who can eat shellfish LOVE them. So do the adults in the house. As you can see, my favorite way to eat these is over a giant Caesar salad.
You can make a simple meal that looks fancy by grilling shrimp. Shrimp cooks really quickly on the grill. Pair with a green salad or savory sides, and you have dinner ready in no time.
If you haven’t tried smoked shrimp on the grill yet, what are you waiting for? Nothing tastes better than shrimp straight from the grill, and these smoked shrimp kabobs are a tasty way to cook shrimp that the whole family will love.
You’ve seen my love of smoked shrimp a lot here. We have Teriyaki Shrimp and there is also Buffalo Shrimp too. Both amazing.
The Traeger Wood-Pellet grill is great because it can be used to both smoke a nice piece of meat and add a touch of smoke flavor to other foods. That’s the right application for this grilled shrimp kabob.
For these types of items, I don’t even run the wood-pellet grill on “smoke” mode. This grill gives it a smokey flavor that I can’t get enough of, even though I just grill it like I normally would.
Grilled shrimp kabobs are easy, quick, and a great way to show off the fresh flavor and complexity of shrimp!
Shrimp kabobs are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or entree that highlight the sweet, succulent flavor of the shrimp. The Traeger wood pellet grill adds a touch of irresistible smoky flavor that takes these kabobs over the top But getting the cook time right is essential for shrimp kabobs that are juicy, tender and full of flavor Undercook them and they’ll be rubbery and raw tasting. Cook them too long and the shrimp turn out dry and chewy. So what’s the magic number for shrimp kabob perfection on the Traeger?
Factors That Affect Shrimp Kabob Cook Time
There are several variables that impact how long shrimp kabobs need to cook on the Traeger grill
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Shrimp size – Smaller shrimp cook faster than jumbo shrimp. Go for larger shrimp for more even cooking.
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Number of kabobs – The more kabobs you have, the longer they’ll need on the grill since it takes longer for heat to penetrate multiple kabobs.
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Skewer material – Metal skewers conduct heat better than wood or bamboo skewers which helps cook shrimp faster.
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Traeger model – Different Traeger grills have varying levels of power and heat output which affects cook time.
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Distance from heat – Kabobs placed near the hottest part of the grill cook faster than those on the edges. Rotate accordingly.
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Marinade or sauce – Marinated or sauced shrimp may require a minute or two longer to account for the extra moisture.
Recommended Grill Times for Juicy Shrimp Kabobs
Taking all these factors into account, here are some general guidelines for achieving perfect shrimp kabobs using a Traeger grill:
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Jumbo shrimp kabobs – 8 to 10 minutes at 400°F
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Extra large shrimp kabobs – 7 to 9 minutes at 400°F
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Large shrimp kabobs – 6 to 8 minutes at 400°F
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Medium shrimp kabobs – 5 to 7 minutes at 400°F
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Small shrimp kabobs – 4 to 6 minutes at 400°F
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Shrimp and vegetable kabobs – Add 1 to 2 minutes to the shrimp cook time above to allow veggies to soften
These cook times are based on kabobs made with 10 to 12 shrimp each and placed on a preheated 400°F Traeger grill. The kabobs should be turned halfway through the cook time for even cooking and color on both sides.
Always check doneness before removing kabobs from the grill. Cook times can vary based on the specific Traeger model, intensity of smoke flavor, and your personal taste preferences.
How to Tell When Shrimp Kabobs Are Done
Checking for visual cues is the best way to test shrimp kabob doneness on the Traeger:
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Color – Shrimp will turn from grayish to solid opaque white/pink when fully cooked.
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Texture – Properly cooked shrimp will be firm yet moist and juicy. They should not be mushy or rubbery.
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Shape – Shrimp curl into a C-shape as they cook.
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Opacity – The thickest part of the shrimp should look opaque, not translucent.
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Skewer spin – Kabobs should spin freely on the skewer when done.
Remember, shrimp overcooks quickly. It’s better to remove kabobs from the grill a minute early rather than a minute late if unsure of doneness.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Shrimp Kabobs
Follow these pro tips for irresistible shrimp kabobs every time on your Traeger:
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Pat shrimp dry before skewering to prevent steaming.
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Brush shrimp with oil or marinade to keep moist during grilling.
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Use 10-12 shrimp per kabob for ideal portioning.
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Alternate shrimp with vegetables like peppers, onions and zucchini.
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Soak wooden skewers 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
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Turn kabobs midway through for even cooking.
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Move kabobs toIndirect heat if flare-ups occur.
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Start checking doneness 2 minutes early. It’s easy to overcook shrimp.
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Tent kabobs with foil after cooking if not serving immediately.
Incredible Shrimp Kabob Recipe Ideas
Once you’ve nailed down the basics, try out these amazing shrimp kabob recipes on the Traeger:
Lemon Garlic Shrimp Kabobs
- Jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Lemon garlic marinade
- Cherry tomatoes
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
Marinate shrimp 30 minutes. Skewer with vegetables. Grill 6-8 minutes.
Jerk Shrimp Kabobs
- Jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Store bought jerk seasoning
- Pineapple chunks
- Red and yellow bell peppers
Toss shrimp with jerk seasoning. Skewer with fruit and veggies. Grill 7-9 minutes.
Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp Kabobs
- Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Thai red curry sauce
- Cilantro
- Scallions
- Cherry tomatoes
- Baby corn
Marinate shrimp 1 hour in curry sauce. Skewer. Grill 6-8 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and scallions.
Cajun Shrimp Kabobs
- Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Cajun seasoning
- Andouille sausage, sliced
- Red and green bell peppers
- Purple onion
Season shrimp with Cajun spice. Skewer with sausage and veggies. Grill 6-8 minutes.
So fire up the Traeger and enjoy restaurant-worthy shrimp kabobs at home. With the proper grill time, your shrimp will turn out plump, juicy and full of smoky flavor. Just be prepared for requests for second helpings!
Helpful Equipment For This Recipe
This recipe below is so simple to make and gives you tender, juicy, and super flavorful shrimp. The seasonings are simple. Just salt, garlic salt, and pepper are all you need.
One thing about shrimp is that a little seasoning helps bring out the seafood’s flavors. You don’t need much, and staying with simple flavors compliment the shrimp so well. In the summer, especially, I usually make some kind of kabob recipe at least 2-3 times a month. This Traeger Grilled Chicken Kabobs recipe is a family favorite!.
Our family loves seafood, and shrimp is one of my favorites. I always buy it when it’s on sale at the store.
How can you tell when the shrimp is done?
You should aim for 375 to 400 degrees when grilling if your grill has a heat setting that you can change. Make sure the grill is preheated, and nice and hot.
Shrimp is meant to be cooked on high heat and quick. Put your shrimp on the grill and cook it for 3-5 minutes (depending on the size of shrimp). Turn the shrimp halfway through the cooking process. You want the outside of the shrimp to be a pretty pink color. The meat should look white and have an opaque look. If you overcook the shrimp, it will become tough and rubbery.
How to Make Juicy Shrimp Kabobs
How do you cook shrimp kabobs in a Traeger?
Open the Traeger and flip each shrimp kabob, cooking for another 3 to 5 minutes until the shrimp are light pink and opaque. While the shrimp are cooking, combine the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. When the shrimp are done, pour or brush the garlic sauce onto each shrimp skewer. Serve immediately.
How do you cook shrimp on a Traeger Grill?
Remove the shrimp from the refrigerator and thread the shrimp onto the skewers. When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 450°F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. Place the shrimp skewers directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink and firm to the touch.
How do you make shrimp kabobs on a grill?
Add your favorite vegetables and create the best kabobs for your grill! Prep: Add the shrimp, zucchini, red onion, red bell pepper, and lemon to a medium-sized bowl. Make and Marinate: Prepare the shrimp marinade and add to the bowl of shrimp and veggies. Let marinate for 30 minutes or overnight. Skewers: Thread skewers with the shrimp and veggies.
How long do you cook kabobs on a Traeger Grill?
Smoke the skewers at 180°F for 30 minutes before finishing at 300°F for shish kabobs. 7. Pork kabobs can be cooked for 12-16 minutes on a Traeger grill. 8. Veal kabobs generally take 8-10 minutes to cook on a Traeger. 9. Beef and lamb kabobs should be cooked for 10-15 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. 10.