How to Perfectly Grill Shrimp on a BBQ – A Step-by-Step Guide for Juicy, Flavorful Shrimp

Grilling shrimp on a BBQ is one of the quickest and tastiest ways to prepare this popular seafood. With just a few minutes over direct heat you can have tender, juicy shrimp with tons of smoky, charred flavor.

As a busy home cook and BBQ enthusiast, grilled shrimp has become one of my go-to meals. It comes together fast, it’s budget-friendly, and it’s hard to mess up. Just throw the seasoned shrimp on the grill grates for a couple minutes per side and you’re good to go!

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through my foolproof process for grilling shrimp on a BBQ or grill pan. I’ll cover:

• How to choose shrimp for grilling
• Tools and equipment you’ll need
• Marinade and seasoning ideas
• Step-by-step grilling instructions
• Serving suggestions
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them

After reading this guide, you’ll be a pro at making perfect grilled shrimp every time! Let’s get started.

Choosing Shrimp for the BBQ

The first step is to pick up some fresh high-quality shrimp to throw on the grill. Here are a few tips

• Go for wild-caught shrimp if possible. Farmed shrimp tend to have less flavor and a softer texture. Wild shrimp have a “snap” when you bite into them.

• Get shrimp with the tail on. The tails protect the delicate shrimp meat from overcooking. Plus, they look pretty!

• Buy raw, uncooked shrimp. Don’t get pre-cooked shrimp, which will dry out on the grill.

• Choose medium or large shrimp Larger shrimp hold up better on the grill and are easier to handle I like 26-30 or 21-25 count per pound,

• Pick up a bit extra. Shrimp cooks fast, so you’ll want plenty to feed your crowd. Plan for at least 1/4 pound per person.

• Thaw frozen shrimp properly. Let frozen shrimp defrost overnight in the fridge. Don’t thaw in hot water or you’ll start cooking it.

Now that you’ve got your star ingredient, let’s talk tools and equipment.

Grilling Tools You’ll Need

Grilling shrimp requires minimal equipment, but having these basics on hand will make the process smooth:

• BBQ grill or grill pan: You’ll need a grill with direct, medium-high heat. If cooking indoors, use a grill pan.

• Basting brush: Helpful for brushing on marinades or butter. Silicone or wooden bristle brushes work best.

• Tongs: You’ll need tongs to easily flip and remove the shrimp.

• Skewers: Soak wooden or bamboo skewers before using to prevent burning.

• Small bowl: For mixing seasonings, marinade or sauce.

• Knife and cutting board: To chop ingredients for marinades or garnishes.

• Grill brush and scraper: Keep your grill grates clean for best results.

That covers the basic equipment. Now let’s talk about one of the most important parts – seasoning and marinating the shrimp!

Seasoning and Marinating Shrimp for the Grill

Adding flavor through marinades, spice rubs, or sauces is key to amazing grilled shrimp. The high, direct heat caramelizes the sugars and ingredients on the outside of the shrimp while the inside steams and stays juicy.

Here are some of my favorite shrimp marinade and seasoning ideas:

Simple Lemon Garlic

• Olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Salt and pepper

Spicy Cajun Blackening Seasoning

• Melted butter
• Cajun seasoning
• Smoked paprika
• Cayenne pepper

Lemongrass Ginger Soy

• Soy sauce
• Fresh ginger
• Lemongrass
• Rice vinegar
• Brown sugar

Chile Lime Butter

• Melted butter
• Lime zest and juice
• Minced jalapeño
• Cilantro
• Cumin

Mediterranean Herb

• Olive oil
• Chopped fresh herbs like oregano, basil, parsley
• Garlic
• Lemon zest
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Get creative with your own spice combos! The shrimp will soak up the flavors as it cooks.

Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty – how to actually grill shrimp on a BBQ or grill pan.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Grilling Shrimp

Follow these simple steps for tender, juicy grilled shrimp every time.

1. Prepare the Shrimp

Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry. Leave the tails on for presentation.

If using wooden or bamboo skewers, place them in water to soak for 30 minutes prior to grilling.

2. Make the Marinade or Sauce

Combine your desired marinade or seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. The recipes above like lemon garlic or Cajun blackening seasoning work great.

You can also use store-bought marinades and sauces if you’re in a time crunch.

3. Marinate the Shrimp

Place the shrimp in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the shrimp, turning to coat evenly.

Let the shrimp marinate in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. Don’t marinate raw shrimp for longer than 30 minutes or it will start to cook.

4. Preheat the Grill

Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, around 400°F. Use direct heat for best results.

The grill is ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grates for 3-4 seconds maximum.

5. Thread the Shrimp on Skewers (Optional)

If using skewers, thread 4-5 shrimp through the top and bottom to secure them horizontally.

Soaked wooden or bamboo skewers work best. Position shrimp seam-side up to prevent curling.

6. Grill the Shrimp

Use tongs to place the shrimp directly onto the grill grates or skewers on the grill grates. Discard excess marinade.

Grill the shrimp uncovered for 2-3 minutes per side, flipping once. They will turn opaque and get grill marks when ready.

7. Check for Doneness

Shrimp cooks very quickly on the grill. Check for doneness after 2 minutes.

Properly cooked shrimp will be opaque and firm with grill marks. Undercooked shrimp translucent in the center.

8. Remove from the Grill

Use tongs to transfer the grilled shrimp to a clean platter.

For skewers, slide the shrimp off using a fork before serving.

9. Finish with Extra Sauce/Seasoning

Brush grilled shrimp with extra sauce as desired. I love lathing them with a chili-lime butter or garlic herb sauce when they come off the grill.

And that’s it – you’ve got a platter of tender, smoky grilled shrimp ready in minutes!

Here are a few serving ideas and tips for leftovers:

• Pile grilled shrimp on tacos or tostadas with all the fixings
• Toss with pasta, rice, or veggie noodles
• Make shrimp salad with some diced veggies
• Use in seafood stews, gumbos, or bisques
• Refrigerate for up to 3 days – reheat gently before serving

Now that you’ve got the basic method down, let’s go over some troubleshooting tips.

Avoid Common Grilling Mistakes

It’s easy to overcook shrimp on the grill since they cook so quickly. Follow these tips to prevent dried out, rubbery shrimp:

• Don’t crowd the grill. Give shrimp room to cook evenly.

• Use medium-high heat. Too high of heat will char them.

• Watch carefully. Shrimp overcooks in seconds once it turns opaque.

• Don’t over-marinate. Acidic marinades can start “cooking” the shrimp.

• Pat shrimp dry. Excess moisture leads to steaming versus searing.

• Brush off extra marinade. Sauces can burn quickly on the grill.

• Flip only once. Flipping frequently leads to drier shrimp.

• Remove immediately once opaque and firm.

Follow this guide and you’ll be a grilled shrimp master in no time! It makes for an easy, fast dinner or impressive appetizer with little effort.

Now get out there, fire up the BBQ, and enjoy some smoky, juicy grilled shrimp fresh off the grill. Just be prepared for requests for seconds!