A fabulous way to grill delicious shrimp. The foil pouch helps to steam the shrimp and cooks them quickly. The garlic butter thats also inside the foil pouch infuses into the grilled shrimp. Easy to prepare, serve the delicious shrimp with rice and a fresh vegetable for a lovely dinner. — The Test Kitchen.
Grilling shrimp in foil packets is one of the easiest and most foolproof ways to cook this tasty seafood on the barbecue. The foil pouch steams the shrimp while also sealing in moisture, flavor, and juices. Grilling shrimp this way results in plump, tender shrimp infused with aromatics like garlic, lemon, and melted butter.
Grilling shrimp in foil takes the guesswork out of determining doneness. The packets cook the shrimp gently and evenly, eliminating the risk of overcooking. Foil grilling also minimizes cleanup since there’s no need to worry about shrimp sticking to the grill grates. Plus, the shrimp cooks quickly, making foil packets a great option for weeknights.
Read on to learn how to grill shrimp in foil packets perfectly every time We’ll cover tips on the best seasonings, cook times, doneness cues, and more With this simple method, you’ll have restaurant-quality shrimp coming off your grill in minutes.
Step 1: Choose the Best Shrimp for Grilling
The first step when grilling shrimp in foil is selecting high-quality shrimp. Opt for fresh or thawed frozen shrimp that’s raw and uncooked. Peeled and deveined shrimp saves time, but you can use shell-on shrimp if desired.
Look for large shrimp varieties like jumbo, colossal, or U/15 size. Large shrimp holds up better on the grill compared to small or medium shrimp, which can overcook quickly. Buy shrimp with a solid, firm texture that smells fresh, not fishy.
Step 2: Prepare the Foil Packets
To grill shrimp in foil, you’ll need heavy-duty aluminum foil Tear off a sheet large enough to fully wrap and seal the shrimp inside Place the shrimp in the center of the foil.
Group the shrimp closely together so they steam and cook evenly. But don’t overcrowd the packet, as you need room to loosely seal the foil.
Step 3: Season the Shrimp
One beauty of grilling shrimp in foil is that just a little seasoning goes a long way since the packet contains the flavors. Simple spice blends like Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or Italian dressing mix are easy options.
For more flavor, coat the shrimp with:
- Diced garlic
- Melted butter
- Chopped fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or dill
- Spices like paprika, chili powder, or cayenne
- Juice and zest from citrus fruits like lemon, lime, or orange
- Olive oil or avocado oil
Step 4: Seal the Foil Packets
Once seasoned, seal up the foil packet by bringing together the sides and folding several times to create a well-sealed but loose pouch. Make sure the packet is fully enclosed so moisture stays trapped inside.
Allow a little extra room inside the packet, as the steam created will expand the foil as it cooks. You can either place one large packet on the grill or divide shrimp between a few smaller packets.
Step 5: Grill the Shrimp
With packets made, preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F. Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Place the foil packets directly on the grill grates and cook for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway.
The cooking time depends on the size of the shrimp and how full the packet is. Since the shrimp cooks in steam, it doesn’t take long to reach doneness. Resist the urge to open the packet and peek until fully cooked.
Step 6: Check for Doneness
After 8 to 10 minutes, carefully open the packet to test doneness. The shrimp should be opaque and pink with curled tails. Be careful of escaping steam when opening the packet.
If the shrimp needs more time, re-seal the foil and grill a minute or two longer. Err on the side of slightly undercooked, as the shrimp will continue cooking off heat.
Step 7: Serve Immediately
Once cooked to perfection, immediately remove the shrimp from the foil to stop the cooking process. Serve the grilled shrimp in foil packets while hot alongside dipping sauces, if desired. Enjoy this easy grilled shrimp on its own or in tacos, salads, pasta, and more.
Tips for Flavorful Foil-Grilled Shrimp
Grilling shrimp in foil packets opens up lots of possibilities for infusing flavor. Follow these tips for next-level grilled shrimp every time:
-
Add butter: Dotting the shrimp with cubes of cold butter or brushing with melted butter adds rich flavor as the butter melts during grilling.
-
Use compound butter: Mix herbs, citrus zest, garlic, spices, or cheese into soft butter. Chill until firm, then slice pats to place on shrimp before grilling.
-
Toss with vinaigrette: Marinating shrimp for 30 minutes in an oil and vinegar-based salad dressing adds big flavor.
-
Stuff with lemon: Cut lemons into wedges and place inside packets so shrimp cooks over lemon juice and slices.
-
Include vegetables: Add veggie slices like zucchini, bell pepper, or corn to packets for a complete meal.
-
Skewer shrimp: Thread shrimp onto skewers before grilling in foil for easier turning and removal.
-
Double up on herbs and spices: The steam locks in seasoning, so use a heavy hand with dried or fresh herbs and spices.
-
Finish with a drizzle: After grilling, toss shrimp with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh citrus juice, or hot sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grilling Shrimp in Foil
Grilling shrimp in foil packets is one of the most popular ways to cook shrimp on the barbecue. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
What size shrimp is best to use?
Go for larger shrimp like colossal or jumbo for ease of grilling. Medium or small shrimp can overcook quickly in foil.
How long should I grill shrimp in foil?
8 to 10 minutes is perfect for 1 pound of medium to large shrimp. Check for doneness at 8 minutes. Small or extra-full packets may cook faster.
Can I grill frozen shrimp in foil?
Yes, but thaw them first. Place frozen shrimp in cold water for 20 minutes before patting dry and grilling. Grilling partially frozen shrimp leads to uneven cooking.
Should I remove the tails before grilling?
Tail-on shrimp looks pretty served in foil packets. But peeled, deveined shrimp cooks more evenly. For larger shrimp, keep tails on but peel/devein.
What temperature should I grill shrimp at?
Medium-high heat, around 400°F, works well. The foil allows for a hotter grill without overcooking.
What are the signs shrimp is done grilling?
Look for an opaque, pink-white color and curled tails. Cooked shrimp will be firm but still juicy and tender inside when squeezed.
Fun Ways to Serve Grilled Shrimp
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving up foil-grilled shrimp. Here are just a few fun ideas:
- Pile shrimp into tacos or burritos
- Toss with pasta and fresh herbs
- Mix into seafood salad or orzo salad
- Stuff into a pita or sandwich
- Sprinkle over pizza
- Add to gazpacho or tomato salad
- Mix with grilled corn, avocado, and tomatoes
- Layer into lettuce wraps
Grilling shrimp in foil packets helps ensure tender, juicy shrimp every time. Adjust the flavors to suit your taste by playing around with different seasoning combinations. In just 10 minutes, you’ll have delightfully grilled shrimp ready to eat.
Frequency of Entities:
shrimp: 27
foil: 24
grill: 16
packet: 15
cook: 7
butter: 6
garlic: 4
lemon: 4
herb: 4
season: 3
veggie: 2
skewer: 2
tail: 2
spice: 2
citrus: 2
zest: 1
compound butter: 1
vinaigrette: 1
corn: 1
zucchini: 1
pepper: 1
juice: 1
drizzle: 1
opaque: 1
curled: 1
pouch: 1
aromatic: 1
infuse: 1
steam: 1
moisture: 1
flavor: 1
overcook: 1
doneness: 1
cleanup: 1
crowd: 1
bland: 1
rich: 1
tender: 1
plump: 1
Ingredients For grilled garlic shrimp in foil
- 1/2 stick softened butter
- 1 c chopped parsley
- 2 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 lb unpeeled large shrimp
- pinch of red pepper flakes
How To Make grilled garlic shrimp in foil
- 1. Put lemon juice, shrimp, red pepper flakes, butter, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Put half of the meat in each of two foil packets. Grill over high heat for eight minutes.
- Last Step: Don’t forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network and watch all of your friends drool. And dont forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too! .