Making shrimp on the Blackstone Griddle is very simple. This lemon garlic shrimp recipe is done in less than 5 minutes and you’ll love it.
Shrimp on the griddle is one of the quickest and tastiest meals you can make. The high, even heat of the griddle sears the shrimp, locking in moisture and flavor. Grill shrimp in just minutes for a fast weeknight dinner or easy party appetizer.
Cooking shrimp on a griddle is a bit different than grilling or sautéing. With the right techniques, you’ll have tender, lightly charred shrimp with crispy edges every time. In this guide, we’ll cover how to choose great shrimp, tips for seasoning and cooking, and delicious griddled shrimp recipes to try. Let’s get grilling!
How to Choose Shrimp for the Griddle
High quality, fresh shrimp is key for the best results. Here’s what to look for:
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Raw shrimp – You want raw, uncooked shrimp to grill Pre-cooked shrimp will dry out
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Shell on or off – Either works! Shelled is easier but shells add lots of flavor.
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Size – Opt for larger shrimp like colossal or jumbo for easy grilling. Smaller shrimp overcooks quickly.
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Appearance – Shrimp should look glossy and firm, not dull or slimy. Check for freshness.
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Peeled & deveined – For fast cooking, grab peeled and deveined shrimp to save prep time.
When buying shrimp for the griddle, don’t thaw frozen shrimp first or the texture will suffer. Pick up fresh or let frozen defrost in the fridge overnight.
How to Season Shrimp for the Griddle
Shrimp have a lovely inherent sweetness that pairs well with simple spice blends and marinades. Here are some easy seasoning ideas:
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Cajun seasoning – A Cajun spice blend adds bold flavor without any prep.
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Lemon pepper – For a Greek twist, use lemon pepper seasoning and olive oil.
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Chili lime – Chili powder, lime zest, cilantro, and cumin gives a Mexican flair.
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Old Bay – For a shrimp boil taste, Old Bay seasoning is perfect.
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House seasoning – A homemade blend of paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper always works.
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Marinades – Let shrimp marinate 30 mins-1 hour in mojo, teriyaki, or Greek marinade.
A light coating of oil or melted butter will help the seasonings stick. Go beyond just salt and pepper to liven up your grilled shrimp.
Step-by-Step Guide for Grilling Shrimp
Follow these simple steps for foolproof shrimp off the griddle every time.
1. Prep the Griddle
Heat your griddle to medium high, 350-400°F. Use a griddle thermometer to check the temperature. The surface should sizzle when you flick water on it.
2. Pat Shrimp Dry
Pat shrimp very dry with paper towels. Damp shrimp will steam instead of getting nicely seared. Make sure no excess moisture remains.
3. Coat with Oil or Butter
Quickly toss the shrimp with a bit of oil or melted butter. This helps conduct heat evenly and promotes browning.
4. Season the Shrimp
Season shrimp just before grilling. Sprinkle your favorite spice blend or rub all over each shrimp. Go light – you can always add more later.
5. Sear the Shrimp
Place shrimp flat on the hot griddle. Resist flipping too soon; let sear 2 minutes. Turn shrimp over and cook just 1-2 minutes more.
6. Check Doneness
Shrimp will turn solid opaque when fully cooked. Take off heat just before opaque in very center so they don’t overcook.
7. Finish with Flavorings
Toss in minced garlic, herbs, citrus juice, or compound butter right after grilling. Plate and enjoy!
Handy Tips for Griddled Shrimp Success
Use these pro tips for the very best results:
- Dry shrimp super well or they’ll steam instead of browning
- Don’t crowd the griddle; cook in batches for good sear
- Flip gently with tongs to keep shrimp intact
- Brush on sauce or glaze the last 1-2 minutes only
- Watch closely to avoid overcooking; shrimp cooks very fast
- Remove from griddle when almost opaque in center; it will finish cooking
With these tricks, you’ll have perfectly cooked shrimp with nice char every time. Now let’s look at some fun recipe ideas.
5 Delicious Griddled Shrimp Recipes
Ready to fire up your griddle and cook up some tasty shrimp dishes? Give these recipes a try:
Jerk Shrimp – Toss shrimp in jerk seasoning. Grill 2 mins per side. Mix in pineapple salsa.
Shrimp Fajitas – Grill bell peppers, onions, and shrimp 2 mins per side. Warm tortillas and serve.
Coconut Shrimp – Toss shrimp in coconut milk, then shredded coconut. Grill until golden.
BBQ Bacon Shrimp – Wrap shrimp in bacon, securing with toothpick. Grill until bacon is crisp. Toss in BBQ sauce.
Shrimp Po’ Boy – Sear shrimp with Cajun seasoning. Serve on toasted buns with lettuce, tomato, and remoulade.
The options are endless for easy and flavorful griddled shrimp recipes. Get creative with global spice blends, sauces, and fun toppings.
Griddled Shrimp FAQs
Still have some questions? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
How do I know when shrimp is cooked?
Look for opaque, solid shrimp flesh when fully cooked. Time it just right to avoid overcooking into rubbery territory.
Can I griddle frozen shrimp?
Thaw frozen shrimp first in the fridge overnight. Grilling directly frozen leads to uneven cooking.
How long do I griddle shrimp?
About 2 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Jumbo shrimp may need a minute or two longer per side.
What oil is best for grilling shrimp?
Avocado, grapeseed, and light olive oils work well. Avoid heavy, low smoke point oils that could burn.
How do I prevent sticking?
Make sure the griddle is well seasoned and hot. Oil the griddle lightly too. Use a good metal spatula to gently flip.
The Takeaway
With a hot griddle and a light coating of oil, you can cook tender, flavorful shrimp in mere minutes. Dry shrimp well, season boldly, watch closely, and don’t overcook. In no time, you’ll have juicy, lightly charred shrimp for amazing tacos, fajitas, po’ boys, and more. Fire up that griddle and get grilling!
Step by Step Photo Instructions
Follow steps 1-3 from above. Then heat a large skillet or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
Once the skillet is hot, add the contents of the baggie with the uncooked shrimp to the skillet.
After two to three minutes, flip the shrimp over and cook for another one to two minutes, or until the shrimp are no longer see-through.
I would make a nice lemon garlic butter sauce if you make this recipe on the stove instead of the Blackstone. It’s hard to make sauces on the Blackstone because the food gets all over the place.
You could add a little kick to this great recipe by adding red pepper flakes on top of these juicy shrimp.
How to store Garlicky Shrimp
Store any leftovers in a glass airtight container for up to 3 days. Im a strong believer that seafood doesnt last as long as other proteins after its been cooked.
Avoid warming the shrimp in the microwave. It tends to make the shrimp rubbery. For best results, warm up the shrimp in an air fryer at 390F for 1-2 minutes.
I would avoid using olive oil when cooking at high temperature because of olive oils low smoke point.
No! Personally I prefer to keep the shrimp tails on when cooking.
Heat up the Blackstone or flat top grill to medium high heat. Add oil. Cook shrimp for a couple of minutes then flip and cook until shrimp are no longer translucent.
Yes, simply thread the shrimp onto pre-soaked wood skewers. Then add the shrimp to the marinade. Add the skewers to the grill and cook for a few minutes on each side.
