One simple pleasure of summer is grilled shrimp that are soft and slightly charred. But only if you know how to grill them right. This grilled shrimp recipe (with the best shrimp marinade!) will help you make perfect grilled shrimp every time.
Shrimp are a beloved grilling staple Their sweet, succulent meat takes beautifully to the smoky char of the grill. Grilled shrimp make fantastic appetizers, entrées, taco fillings, salad toppings – you name it!
But there’s one catch when grilling shrimp: you typically need skewers to avoid losing them between the grates. Skewering each shrimp can be tedious and time-consuming. Plus, wooden skewers require soaking beforehand to prevent burning.
Luckily with a few simple tricks, you can grill shrimp without skewers and still achieve perfectly cooked char-kissed shrimp every time.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn:
- The benefits of grilling shrimp without skewers
- How to buy high-quality shrimp for grilling
- Grilling tips to cook shrimp evenly without skewers
- Creative ways to grill shrimp without skewers
- Delicious recipes to make grilled shrimp the star
Why Grill Shrimp Without Skewers?
Grilling shrimp on skewers does have some benefits. The skewers keep the shrimp contained and upright, ensuring even cooking. They also make flipping and removing the shrimp easy.
However. grilling shrimp without skewers has advantages too
- It’s faster – no time wasted skewering each shrimp!
- Wooden skewers don’t need presoaking to prevent burning.
- The shrimp gets better char and smoky flavor without the skewer acting as a barrier.
- Smaller shrimp that can slip through grates are easier to cook directly on the grill.
- You can grill more shrimp at once without running out of skewer space.
With the right techniques, you can absolutely grill tender, juicy, charred shrimp sans skewers!
Choosing Shrimp for Grilling
The key to grilling shrimp without skewers is choosing the right size shrimp for the job. Here are some buying tips:
-
Go large. Jumbo (16-20 count per pound) or colossal (10-15 count per pound) shrimp are ideal for grilling without skewers, as they’re less likely to slip through grates.
-
Buy shell-on. Shells protect the delicate shrimp meat from overcooking and act as a handle for flipping. You can always peel after grilling.
-
Prioritize freshness. Shrimp should smell briny, not fishy. The flesh should be firm and opaque.
-
Frozen is fine too. Thaw overnight in the fridge before grilling. Frozen shrimp is often flash-frozen right on the boat for peak freshness.
-
Prepare shrimp for grilling. Peel (leave tails on) and devein shrimp while still slightly frozen for easy prep.
Grilling Shrimp Without Skewers: Step-by-Step
Grilling shrimp without skewers takes a little more attention than grilling on skewers. But follow these tips and tricks for tender, juicy, smoky shrimp every time:
1. Pat shrimp dry
- Drain thawed shrimp and pat very dry with paper towels. Wet shrimp will steam rather than sear.
2. Coat shrimp with oil or marinade
- Toss shrimp with just enough oil to coat – a teaspoon or two per pound. Or marinate shrimp for added flavor.
3. Preheat grill properly
- Heat gas grill to medium-high (400°F to 450°F) or let charcoal grill burn to low heat before grilling.
4. Clean and oil grill grates
- Scrub grates clean. Use a grill brush to coat lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
5. Grill shrimp in batches
- Avoid overcrowding. Grill shrimp in single layer batches for even cooking.
6. Grill shrimp flat side down first
- Place shrimp on grates flat side down to maximize contact and prevent sliding through grates.
7. Flip shrimp after 2 minutes
- After 2 minutes flat side down, flip shrimp and grill 2 minutes on second side.
8. Check doneness
- Shrimp are done when opaque and lightly charred on both sides.
9. Let rest 1 minute
- Transfer shrimp to a platter and let rest 1 minute before serving for juiciest texture.
Grilling Shrimp Without Skewers: Creative Methods
If your shrimp are on the smaller side or you want a foolproof grilling method, here are some clever ways to grill shrimp without skewers:
Use a Grill Basket
Grill baskets provide plenty of surface area for grilling small shrimp. The mesh contains the shrimp while still allowing flavorful char. Coat the basket with oil before adding shrimp in an even layer. Stir occasionally while grilling.
Make Grilled Shrimp Packets
Wrap shrimp and seasoning or marinade in foil packets. The packets steam the shrimp while infusing tons of flavor. Use heavy-duty foil and fully seal packets while leaving room for steam expansion. Grill packets on a preheated grill about 8-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
Grill Shrimp on a Plank
Soak aromatic wood planks like cedar in water 1 hour before grilling. Place oiled shrimp on the plank in a single layer and grill until opaque, about 10 minutes, flipping shrimp halfway. The plank imparts subtle woodsy flavor while grilling shrimp evenly.
Broil Shrimp
For easy indoor grilling, broil shrimp on a baking sheet in the oven. Toss shrimp in oil and spread in single layer on a sheet pan. Broil 4-5 inches from heat for 2 minutes per side until opaque. Sprinkle with seasoning and lemon juice after broiling.
Pan Sear Shrimp on the Stovetop
Get that coveted char flavor by searing shrimp in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop. Heat skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add a thin layer of oil, then shrimp in single layer. Sear 2 minutes per side.
Delicious Recipes for Grilled Shrimp
The beauty of grilled shrimp is that they’re incredibly versatile. A simple marinade or dry rub is all you need to let the natural flavor of the shrimp shine. Or pair grilled shrimp with zesty sauces, grains, greens, and more. Here are some tasty recipe ideas:
Easy Grilled Shrimp with Garlic Herb Butter
Marinate peeled shrimp in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. Grill until charred. Serve shrimp drizzled with garlicky melted butter.
Thai Grilled Shrimp Salad Wraps
Toss grilled shrimp in a Thai peanut dressing. Stuff in lettuce leaves with juicy mango, carrot, cucumber, and mint.
Jerk Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
Spice up shrimp with a jerk dry rub before grilling. Serve in warmed corn tortillas with a tangy grilled pineapple salsa.
Lemony Grilled Shrimp and Vegetable Kabobs
Skewer shrimp, zucchini, bell peppers, and red onion onto kabobs. Brush with lemon juice and oil. Grill until shrimp are opaque.
Cajun Grilled Shrimp over Dirty Rice
Blackened seasoning gives grilled shrimp a fiery Cajun kick. Serve over dirty rice with fried okra for a New Orleans-inspired meal.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Chimichurri
Load shrimp and cherry tomatoes onto skewers (if you want to use them!). Grill until charred, then drizzle with a tangy, herby chimichurri sauce.
Grilled Shrimp BLT Salad
Toss grilled shrimp with crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and tangy ranch dressing for a hearty main dish salad.
Grilled Shrimp Without Skewers: Your New Go-To
There you have it – everything you need to know to make grilled shrimp without skewers your new go-to for easy, flavorful grilled meals.
Choosing the right shrimp, cleaning the grill, grilling in batches, and using clever alternative methods are the secrets to perfect results.
The sweet taste and smokehouse char of grilled shrimp are hard to beat. Dress them up simply with lemon and butter or use them as the protein in tacos, salads, and more.
So fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy tender, juicy grilled shrimp without the hassle of skewers. Just don’t be surprised if these become your most requested grilling recipe yet!
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/shrimp-skewers-on-grill-78315052-5af888bfae9ab80036dbcc45.jpg)
How Long to Grill Shrimp
It should take about two to three minutes per side to grill shrimp, but this is just a guess. The exact time will depend on the size of the shrimp and the temperature of your grill.
Because there can be some variation, instead of watching the clock, it’s important to watch the shrimp.
Shrimp are done cooking when:
- The tails curl slightly (a tight curl means they’re over-cooked!).
- The color goes from translucent gray to opaque pink.
- Teriyaki Grilled Shrimp. To add an Asian flair to your grilled shrimp, use the teriyaki sauce from my Teriyaki Salmon recipe. Just brush the shrimp with the teriyaki sauce right before you grill them and again when they’re done.
- Broiled Shrimp. To cook the shrimp in the oven, preheat the broiler. Put foil on a sheet pan and spray it with nonstick spray (or use a cast-iron skillet that has been used a lot). Broil the shrimp for two to three minutes, then turn them over and broil for another two to three minutes, or until the pink is no longer see-through.
- Lemon Pepper Shrimp. Lemon and pepper go well with seafood—check out my Lemon Pepper Salmon for proof! You can use store-bought or homemade lemon pepper seasoning, or you can use the seasoning or marinade linked in my original grilled shrimp recipe. Add more lemon juice and freshly ground pepper to the shrimp before serving. Swap in lime juice or cayenne pepper for a kick.
- Sweet and Smoky Grilled Shrimp. For a great mix of sweet and savory tastes, use my Salmon Seasoning, which has garlic powder, smoked paprika, and brown sugar.
What to Serve with Grilled Shrimp
- Vegetables. These grilled shrimp are a light and healthy summer dinner. Serve them with a simple side dish like roasted red potatoes or broccoli that has been sautéed with flaky sea salt.
- Pasta. Fire-grilled shrimp can be mixed with garlic pasta and fresh herbs like parsley and lemon zest. The shrimp can also be served on top of a bowl of pesto pasta.
- Salad. Make a big bowl of Shrimp Pasta Salad or put grilled shrimp on a bed of Arugula Salad to serve.
- Grains. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice to cooked farro or quinoa makes grilled shrimp skewers a great side dish.
- Grilled Dishes. Your whole dinner can be cooked on the grill! Put some vegetables on the grill and make grilled zucchini or asparagus.
Super Quick Video Tips: The Best Way to Grill Shrimp
Can you cook shrimp with skewers?
When they sit on the grill for too long, they can overcook, turning them rubbery and even burning them on a scorching hot surface like the grill. Skewers are so beneficial because they can be used to cook your shrimp evenly so that you don’t have different shrimp with different cook levels.
How do you cook grilled shrimp skewers?
Here are our best tips for grilled shrimp skewers: Use wooden skewers. On metal skewers, the shrimp can tend to spin on them which makes them hard to flip. With wooden skewers, the shrimp stays solidly in place. You’ll need to soak the skewers about 20 minutes so they don’t burn on the grill. Thread the shrimp on and make them just touch.
How do you cook shrimp on a grill?
Here’s how to cook shrimp on the grill (or jump to the full recipe ): Step 1: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450°F). Place fresh or thawed shrimp in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and season with oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt.
Can you cook Jumbo Shrimp on a grill?
Jumbo shrimp can be cooked directly on the grill; if you use smaller shrimp, you’ll need to make grilled shrimp skewers. I recommend threading them through two skewers instead of one, which will keep them from flipping when you have to turn them over. Marinade or Season the Shrimp. For marinade, let sit at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.