How to Make Bacon Wrapped Shrimp on the Grill – A Step-by-Step Guide

Grilled bacon wrapped shrimp is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that looks fancy but is actually easy to make at home The combination of savory bacon with tender, juicy shrimp is a match made in heaven Grilling infuses the shrimp with delicious smoky flavor while keeping them moist inside. And pre-cooking the bacon ensures it gets perfectly crispy without overcooking the shrimp.

In this simple step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make grilled bacon wrapped shrimp from start to finish. I’ve made this recipe countless times and refined the method so the bacon and shrimp turn out perfect every single time. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or preparing an elegant dinner party, these bacon wrapped shrimp are sure to impress!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Shrimp – Buy large, peeled and deveined shrimp with the tails on. Size 16/20 or 21/25 per pound works best.
• Bacon – Use regular sliced bacon, not thick cut. Cut each slice in half crosswise.
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Skewers – Soak wooden skewers at least 20 minutes before using.

Step 1 – Partially Cook the Bacon

The trick to perfectly cooked bacon wrapped shrimp is pre-cooking the bacon before wrapping it around the shrimp. This allows the bacon to get nice and crispy without overcooking the shrimp later on the grill.

There are a couple different ways to par-cook bacon

In the oven:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Cook for 10-12 minutes, until bacon is slightly crisped but still pliable enough to wrap around shrimp.

On the grill:

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
• Place bacon directly on grill grates over indirect heat.
• Cook with grill lid open for 5-6 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
• Remove bacon once it’s slightly crisped but still pliable.

After par-cooking, transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Let cool 5 minutes before wrapping shrimp.

Step 2 – Prepare the Shrimp

While the bacon cools, prepare the shrimp:

• Toss shrimp with olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl until evenly coated. This adds flavor and prevents them from sticking to the grill later.

• Use about 1 Tbsp olive oil per pound of shrimp and season liberally with salt and pepper.

Step 3 – Wrap Bacon Around Shrimp

Once bacon has cooled, wrap each strip around one shrimp, covering about 2/3 of the shrimp.

• Secure bacon in place with a toothpick or small skewer through the overlap.

• Make sure shrimp are dry before wrapping so the bacon adheres well.

• Don’t wrap shrimp too tightly or the bacon can squeeze out moisture while cooking.

Step 4 – Grill the Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Thread the bacon wrapped shrimp onto metal or pre-soaked wooden skewers, about 4-8 per skewer.

Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, around 400°F. Carefully oil the grates.

Grill shrimp for 3-4 minutes per side, with the grill lid closed as much as possible.

• Cook over indirect heat if using a charcoal grill to prevent flare-ups from bacon grease.

• If shrimp start to char too quickly, move them to a cooler part of the grill.

Shrimp are done when opaque and pink throughout. Bacon should be sizzling crispy and browned.

Be sure to check doneness early to prevent overcooking. Shrimp overcook quickly!

Step 5 – Finish With Flavorings (Optional)

When shrimp come off the grill, you can add extra flavors if desired:

• Brush with melted garlic butter or compound butter.

• Squeeze fresh lemon or lime juice over the top.

• Drizzle with hot sauce for a kick.

• Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

Serve shrimp warm, right off the grill. Enjoy!

Pro Tips for Perfectly Grilled Shrimp

Follow these tips every time for tender, juicy shrimp encased in crispy bacon:

• Don’t crowd the grill: Leave space between each shrimp for even cooking.

• Use a meat thermometer: Insert into thickest part of shrimp to check doneness. Shrimp are done at 145°F.

• Prevent curling: Straighten any pieces of curling bacon as needed while grilling.

• Rotate skewers: Occasionally rotate skewers for even exposure to heat source.

• Go low and slow: Cook over moderate heat if shrimp are overcooking on the outside before done inside.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Grilling FAQs

Got questions about making these on the barbecue? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What temperature should you grill shrimp?

• Grill over medium-high heat, around 400-450°F. High heat helps bacon crisp while cooking shrimp fast before they dry out.

How long do you grill shrimp for?

• Grill for 3-4 minutes per side, 6-8 minutes total. Check for doneness early to prevent overcooking.

What is the best shrimp for grilling?

• Go for large shrimp, size 16/20 or 21/25 per pound. Smaller shrimp overcook too fast on the grill.

Should you wrap bacon tight or loose?

• Wrap loosely enough that bacon doesn’t squeeze moisture out of shrimp as it cooks and shrinks.

Can you use wooden skewers?

• Yes, just be sure to soak them in water for 20-30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.

How do you prevent bacon from burning?

• Partially pre-cooking the bacon is key. Also grill over indirect heat and move shrimp if flare-ups occur.

Get Creative With These Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Variations

Once you master the classic recipe, get creative with these fun flavor twist ideas:

• Use different spices like Cajun seasoning, jerk or BBQ rub under the bacon.

• Stuff shrimp with cheese, garlic or jalapeños before wrapping in bacon.

• Swap out regular bacon with flavors like peppered, maple or hickory smoked.

• Dip shrimp in tangy mustard BBQ sauce or sriracha mayo after grilling.

• Top grilled shrimp with pineapple salsa, mango relish or guacamole.

• Wrap shrimp in prosciutto along with bacon for an extra layer of flavor.