How Long to Grill Shrimp with the Shell On for Perfectly Cooked Shrimp

Grilling shrimp with the shells on is a quick and tasty way to add flavorful, char-grilled seafood to any meal. The shells help seal in moisture and seasoning while protecting the delicate shrimp meat. But grilling shrimp properly comes down to cooking them just long enough to reach the ideal doneness without overcooking. Undercook the shrimp and they’ll be gummy and unsafe to eat. Overcook them and you’ll end up with rubbery, flavorless shrimp. So how long should you grill shrimp with the shell on to achieve tender, juicy, flavor-packed results every time?

Why Grill Shrimp with the Shell On?

There are a few advantages to throwing unpeeled shrimp directly on the grill:

• The shells seal in natural juices and moisture as the shrimp cooks. This keeps the meat plump and tender.

• The shells also help trap and infuse seasoning and marinades into the shrimp as it cooks. More flavor!

• The shells provide a light protective barrier between the hot grill grates and delicate shrimp meat. Less risk of overcooking.

• Shells add lots of rich, briny flavor when eaten. The shells get wonderfully charred and seasoned on the grill.

• It saves prep time since you don’t have to peel and devein raw shrimp before grilling.

So while grilling shrimp in the shells requires paying a bit more attention to cook times, the benefits are worth it for juicy, well-seasoned shrimp with an added crunch factor.

How Long to Grill Shrimp with Shell On

The optimal grill time for shrimp with shells is 2-3 minutes per side. For medium shrimp (36-40 per pound) figure 4-6 minutes total. For larger shrimp around 16-20 per pound allow 6-8 minutes total grill time. Jumbo shrimp may need 8-10 minutes altogether.

These times are for shrimp grilled over direct high heat between 400-450°F. The key is grilling the shrimp just until they turn opaque and become firm to the touch. Once the flesh turns from translucent to pink/orange, they’re done.

It’s easy to go from perfectly cooked to overcooked quickly with shrimp, so stay by the grill and watch them closely Remove them as soon as they are opaque and have nice grill marks They’ll continue cooking for a minute after being removed from the grill.

Tips for Grilling Shrimp with Shell On

Follow these tips for flawlessly grilled shrimp every time:

• Choose fresh or thawed (not frozen) shrimp for even cooking. Rinse and pat dry.

• Mix shrimp with oil and seasoning before grilling. Let marinate 15+ minutes.

• Preheat grill to high heat (400-450°F). Oil grates to prevent sticking.

• Grill shrimp in a single layer, no overlapping. Don’t move them too much.

• Cook 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and firm. Remove immediately.

• Brush with sauce or lemon juice when done. Enjoy with dipping sauces.

• For kabobs, soak wooden skewers before using. Turn the skewers frequently.

• Watch grill times closely. Shrimp overcook quickly. It’s better to undercook them slightly.

• Consider grilling vegetables, corn, sausage, potatoes, or citrus slices at the same time.

With a hot grill and proper timing, you’ll enjoy tender grilled shrimp in the shell bursting with smoky, char-grilled flavor. Now let’s look at some serving ideas and tips for leftovers.

Serving Suggestions

A batch of grilled shrimp goes wonderfully in:

• Shrimp tacos or fajitas with all the fixings

• On kebabs or skewers with vegetables and pineapple

• Tossed into pasta or grain bowls

• Sprinkled on top of salads or pizza

• Mixed into rice dishes like jambalaya

• Layered on grilled corn or potato salad

• Added to seafood stews and paella

• Served on their own with cocktail sauce for dipping

The smoky flavor and snappy texture of the shells adds so much to any dish. Get creative with how you use up leftover grilled shrimp.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Here are some tips for leftovers:

• Let grilled shrimp cool completely before refrigerating. Store in an airtight container.

• Eat refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days for best quality. The shells get soggy after too long.

• Reheat gently in a skillet with butter or oil to prevent rubbery texture. Or flake shrimp into dishes.

• Once peeled and chopped, leftover grilled shrimp work great tossed into soups, tacos, pasta, etc.

• The shells become inedible after refrigerating but still impart lots of flavor when incorporated.

With proper storage, you can stretch a batch of grilled shrimp for several delicious meals. Just avoid reheating too aggressively or leaving them too long in the fridge.

Delicious Recipe Ideas

Here are just a few of the endless possibilities for putting grilled shrimp to use:

• Shrimp ceviche: Toss grilled shrimp with lime juice, tomatoes, onion, avocado, cilantro and chili peppers.

• Shrimp noodle bowl: Combine grilled shrimp with rice noodles, carrot, cabbage, ginger and soy/citrus sauce.

• Shrimp flatbread pizza: Top flatbread or naan with pesto sauce, grilled shrimp, tomatoes, spinach and feta cheese.

• Shrimp salad sandwich: Mix chopped grilled shrimp with mayo, celery, onion and old bay seasoning. Serve on rolls.

• Shrimp quesadilla: Stuff tortillas with grilled shrimp, pepper jack cheese, onions and peppers.

• Shrimp & grits: Serve grilled shrimp over creamy cheddar cheese grits.

The smoky shrimp shells add so much flavor, you can use small amounts to boost the taste of pastas, tacos, salads and more. Get creative!

FAQs About Grilling Shrimp in Their Shells

Can you grill frozen shrimp with the shells on?

Yes, as long as they are fully thawed first. But fresh unfrozen shrimp will grill more evenly.

Should you devein shrimp before grilling?

You can grill shrimp with or without deveining first. But for food safety, it’s best to devein raw shrimp.

Do you remove the tails before grilling shrimp?

The tails can be left on for grilling (they will often fall off after cooking). This gives you something to grab onto while grilling.

Can you grill shrimp with marinade on?

Absolutely! Let the shrimp marinate 15-60 minutes before grilling for added flavor.

What if my shrimp are smaller or larger?

Adjust cook times up or down. For jumbo shrimp allow 8-10 minutes. Small shrimp may only need 2-4 minutes total.

Grilling shrimp in their shells locks in flavor and moisture. Just be sure not to overcook them. Use a hot grill, watch closely, and remove them as soon as they turn opaque. Enjoy your perfectly charred shrimp on skewers, in tacos and beyond!