Smoked Shrimp are tender, juicy, and seasoned with a delicious blend of spices. Make shrimp on a pellet grill as an appetizer for a party or as a quick dinner during the week. This is wonderful for both.
Are you ready for a new way to make perfect smoked shrimp? This is a simple main dish that tastes great and everyone will love it. The great thing about cooking jumbo shrimp or fresh shrimp is that it holds that smoky flavor perfectly.
You can then pair the large shrimp with your favorite seasonings or dips. I’m all about adding various flavors to see what I like best. Hot sauce is a good one for a spicy kick, and you can’t go wrong with cajun seasoning.
You can also dip them in a simple garlic butter sauce, or for a fun taste, add garlic powder and red pepper flakes.
There’s nothing better than shrimp that are soft and juicy right off the grill—unless they’re smoked, of course!
Learn how long to smoke shrimp, plus tips to ensure they come out perfect every time.
Don’t have a smoker? You can cook shrimp on a charcoal or pellet grill by following the same steps.
For a charcoal grill, on the other hand, you’ll need to do a little more work because the wood needs to soak for a few hours before you can start cooking.
For a different taste, try my Cajun pasta or mac and cheese instead of this smoked shrimp recipe.
Juicy, tender shrimp hot off the grill is a summertime favorite. But cooking shrimp can be tricky – it’s easy to end up with tasteless, rubbery, or burned results.
Pellet grills are amazing for infusing flavor into shrimp and getting that perfect char while keeping them moist inside. The slow, even heat of a pellet smoker lets you grill shrimp to barbecue perfection.
In this guide, I’ll teach you my foolproof method for cooking succulent shrimp on a pellet grill. You’ll learn
- Benefits of using a pellet grill for shrimp
- Tips for choosing shrimp and preparing the grill
- Flavorful marinades that infuse shrimp with taste
- Step-by-step instructions for grilling shrimp
- Serving ideas for your smoked shrimp
With these tips, you’ll be serving up restaurant-quality grilled shrimp all summer long on your pellet smoker!
Why Cook Shrimp on a Pellet Grill?
Cooking shrimp on a pellet grill gives incredible results
- Infuses smoky flavor into the shrimp
- Allows fat to render slowly for tender, juicy meat
- Provides even, consistent heat to prevent burning
- Imparts char and grill marks for great presentation
- Marinades penetrate the shrimp fully before grilling
Pellet grills are perfect for shrimp because you can control the temperature precisely. The convection heat gently cooks the shrimp without drying them out. Hardwood pellet smoke enriches their taste. Let’s get into the nitty gritty of preparing your grill and shrimp.
Tips for Grilling Shrimp on a Pellet Smoker
Follow these tips and tricks for phenomenal grilled shrimp every time:
Choose Wild-Caught Shrimp
Wild shrimp have better texture and taste than farmed shrimp. Go for large shrimp like tiger prawns or jumbo shrimp. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
Prepare the Grill Surface
Heat your pellet grill to 400°F. Brush or scrape the grates clean. Coat them lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
Avoid Dense Marinades
Go for marinades using olive oil, herbs, spices, and citrus. Thick marinades like barbecue sauce will just burn.
Skewer the Shrimp Properly
Thread shrimp snugly onto skewers to ensure even cooking. Alternate directions for balanced grilling.
Flip Shrimp Frequently
Shrimp cook fast. Flip them every minute for even doneness. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.
Now let’s talk about flavor-packed marinades that take grilled shrimp to the next level.
Mouthwatering Marinade Recipes
A tasty marinade tenderizes shrimp and makes it pop with flavor. Try these easy home marinades:
Lemon Pepper Shrimp Marinade
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
Coconut Curry Shrimp Marinade
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 2 tsp red curry paste
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
Chimichurri Shrimp Marinade
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 3 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp lime juice
Honey Sriracha Shrimp Marinade
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
Combine ingredients in a sealed bag or baking dish. Marinate shrimp for 15-30 minutes before grilling. The shrimp will absorb maximum flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions for Grilling Shrimp
Follow these simple steps for perfect shrimp off your pellet grill:
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Rinse and pat dry shrimp. Thread onto skewers if desired.
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Pour marinade over shrimp in a resealable bag or dish. Marinate 15-30 minutes.
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Preheat pellet grill to 400°F. Lightly oil grates.
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Remove shrimp from marinade. Season with salt, pepper, and any extra spices.
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Place shrimp directly on grill grates or skewers. Grill approximately 3 minutes per side.
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Flip shrimp every minute for even cooking on both sides. Cook until shrimp turn pink/orange with nice grill marks.
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Check doneness by cutting into thickest part of one shrimp. Should be opaque throughout.
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Immediately remove from grill once cooked through and juices run clear.
Be extremely careful not to overcook. Shrimp go from tender to rubbery very quickly if left too long. Now let’s go over some amazing ways to serve your barbecued shrimp.
Delicious Ways to Serve Grilled Shrimp
Your juicy pellet-grilled shrimp are ready to become the star of any meal:
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Pile shrimp on skewers for easy party appetizers
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Toss grilled shrimp into green salads, pasta salads, or rice bowls
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Stuff into tacos or burritos with your favorite toppings
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Serve over fresh grilled corn with melted butter
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Pair with grilled veggies for a healthy, light dinner
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Pile on buns for incredible shrimp po’ boys
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Chop up in seafood pasta dishes and risottos
The possibilities are endless! Adjust cooking times slightly for jumbo shrimp versus smaller shrimp.
Get excited for the most tender and flavorful shrimp of your life. With your shiny new pellet grill and these grilling tips, you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality shrimp all season long. Impress your family and friends with your flawlessly barbecued shrimp. Just be prepared for the rave reviews!
Pellet Grill Shrimp Tips and Tricks
- Use room temp butter. They need to go into the smoker raw because any extra heat will cook them. Should you need to melt butter in the microwave, make sure it’s cool first.
- Save some time and effort. I like to buy shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined so I can start cooking right away. If you want to buy fresh or can’t find any already cooked, this post will show you how to do it yourself.
- Leave the tails on. When you put the smoked shrimp on a platter for everyone to grab, this makes it easier to eat. You can always take off the tails afterward if you need to before using the meat in other dishes.
Spices and wood pellets add a lot of flavor to these smoked shrimp, which are tasty on their own. Feel free to add your favorite dipping sauce or a bowl of melted butter.
For a simple side, serve with rice or a green salad. You could also serve your favorite pasta salad with pellet grill shrimp.
You can even put corn on the cob or red potatoes in the smoker first if you have enough room.
Smoked Shrimp Recipe FAQ
It gets really hot in the summer, so I keep my shrimp in the fridge until it’s time to smoke them. In my opinion, they will get a better smoke flavor this way as well.
It should take 50-60 minutes to smoke shrimp on a pellet grill at 200°F. Watch the color and test a few before taking the pan out of the oven. Otherwise, follow the smoked shrimp recipe as written!.
When raw, shellfish is grey and appears translucent. Once cooked, the color changes to bright pink or orange with white lines. It will also look solid and opaque throughout. You can also keep an eye on the shape. Once smoked shrimp forms a loose “C” shape, it’s typically ready to eat. If it becomes tightly curled, there’s a good chance it is overdone.
Once shrimp is cooked, there are a lot of great ways to eat it. A lot of people add shrimp to their healthy recipe list but don’t know what to do with it. There are many ways to eat cooked shrimp, but my favorites are shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauce, shrimp skewers, shrimp tacos, cheesy grits and shrimp, and shrimp salad. The first step is to cook the shrimp, and then you can figure out the best shrimp recipe. Adding a little chili powder or Italian seasoning and fresh lemon juice is a great way to enjoy cooked shrimp. For a fancy meal, cook shrimp and serve it with lobster tails or your favorite steak. You can enjoy a main dish in many ways, but shrimp is the star of the show! To begin cooking, just buy raw shrimp at the store and follow the easy steps on the printable recipe card below!
Enjoy! With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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How to Grill Shrimp using a pellet grill
FAQ
How long to grill shrimp on a pellet grill?
What temperature do you grill shrimp?
What temperature is shrimp cooked at?
How do you cook shrimp on a pellet grill?
Pre-heat your pellet grill to 350F. Coat your shrimp with your choice of seasoning or get your pre-marinated shrimp out of the refrigerator and thread it onto skewers if you are choosing to do so. Place your shrimp directly onto the grill individually or on skewers. Let the shrimp cook for 2 – 3 minutes.
How do you cook shrimp on a Traeger Grill?
Traeger grill shrimp. Add shrimp directly to the pellet grill grates (or put them on skewers first, or add them to a grilling basket before putting ‘em on the smoker rack). Close the lid, and smoke shrimp for four minutes. Flip smoker shrimp and cook for another 2-4 minutes, or until done.
How to cook shrimp on the grill?
Place your shrimp directly onto the grill individually or on skewers. Let the shrimp cook for 2 – 3 minutes. Turn the shrimp over and let them cook for a further 2 – 3 minutes. As long as they are opaque and pink, it is time to remove your perfectly grilled shrimp and serve! Should I Grill Shrimp with or without the Shells?
How long do you smoke shrimp on a charcoal grill?
Toss until coated. Place the shrimp on the smoker racks (or on aluminum foil or a foil pan, to prevent them from falling through the grates). Smoke for about 60 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink. Remove from the smoker and serve immediately. This works on a charcoal grill or a pellet grill as well.