How to Smoke Shrimp on a Pellet Grill for Perfectly Flavored Seafood

Smoking shrimp on a pellet grill is a great way to add delicious smoky flavor to this tasty seafood. With just a few simple steps, you can have restaurant-quality smoked shrimp ready in under 30 minutes.

Why Smoke Shrimp on a Pellet Grill?

There are several advantages to using a pellet grill to smoke shrimp versus other cooking methods:

• Infuses an incredible smoky flavor into the shrimp that you just can’t achieve with other cooking techniques, The smoky flavor really enhances and complements the natural sweetness of the shrimp

• Cooks the shrimp evenly and prevents overcooking The consistent temperature control of a pellet grill allows the shrimp to cook gently without drying out

• Requires minimal preparation and cook time. Smoking shrimp is a quick and easy cooking process from start to finish.

• Imparts a wonderful char or grill marks on the shrimp, adding texture and visual appeal.

• Allows you to cook a large batch of shrimp uniformly at one time, which is perfect for entertaining and feeding a crowd.

• Pellet grills are very versatile. You can use them to smoke a variety of different foods like meat, vegetables, pizza, etc.

Tips for Preparing Shrimp for Smoking

Follow these tips when getting your shrimp ready for the pellet smoker:

• Choose raw, shell on shrimp – Smoking already cooked or prepared shrimp can cause it to become rubbery and dry out too much. Raw shrimp will cook gently and absorb the perfect amount of smoke flavor.

• Use large shrimp – Opt for jumbo or colossal size shrimp. The larger shrimp hold up better on the grill and won’t overcook as quickly as smaller shrimp.

• Peel and devein the shrimp – Removing the shell and veins prevents an overly “fishy” flavor and allows the smoke and seasonings to penetrate the shrimp better. Leave the tails on for a nice presentation.

• Pat the shrimp dry – Lightly pat the shrimp with paper towels to remove any excess moisture on the surface before seasoning. This helps the seasoning stick better.

• Use a seasoning or marinade – For the best flavor, coat the shrimp with olive oil or butter and season generously with spices, garlic, herbs, citrus, etc. Let the seasoned shrimp marinate for 15-30 minutes before smoking.

How to Smoke Shrimp Step-By-Step

Follow this simple process for smoking tender, juicy, and flavorful shrimp every time:

1. Prepare the Shrimp

Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry. Peel, devein, and remove the shells, leaving the tails intact if desired. Pat the shrimp dry again and arrange in a single layer on a platter or baking sheet.

2. Make a Seasoning or Marinade

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, melted butter, or another oil with your favorite seasonings. Great options include:

• Lemon juice, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper
• Old Bay seasoning or other seafood seasoning blends
• Cajun seasoning
• Jerk seasoning
• Lemon pepper
• Barbecue rub
• Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt

Whisk together the oil and seasonings. Liberally brush or drizzle the mixture over both sides of the shrimp. Let marinate 15-30 minutes.

3. Preheat the Pellet Grill

While the shrimp marinate, preheat your pellet grill or smoker to 400°F. Use a higher temp to ensure the shrimp cooks quickly without drying out.

4. Smoke the Shrimp

When the grill is preheated, drain any excess marinade from the shrimp and place them directly on the grill grates. Smoke the shrimp with the lid closed for 4-5 minutes.

Flip the shrimp over and smoke for another 2-4 minutes until opaque and cooked through. An instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the shrimp should read 145°F when done.

5. Serve Immediately

Remove the smoked shrimp from the grill and serve immediately. The shrimp can be eaten as is, used in tacos, on salads, or served with cocktail sauce, remoulade sauce, or drawn butter for dipping. Enjoy!

Pellet Grill & Smoker Tips for Shrimp

Follow these tips when using your pellet grill or smoker to achieve perfect smoked shrimp:

• Always preheat the grill properly before adding food. This helps prevent cold spots.

• Use a higher temperature setting, around 400°F, to ensure the shrimp cooks fast without drying out.

• Place the shrimp directly on the grill grates instead of using a pan or skewers. Direct contact gives the best smoke infusion.

• Cook the shrimp with the lid closed as much as possible to contain the smoke and heat.

• Don’t overload the grates with too many shrimp or overcrowd them. This can cause uneven cooking.

• Flip the shrimp halfway through for even doneness on both sides.

• Monitor the temp with a meat thermometer. Remove immediately when the shrimp reach 145°F.

• Let the grill come back up to temp in between batches if cooking multiple batches of shrimp.

• Consider using a smoking tube, box, or pan to generate extra smoke flavor if desired.

Pellet Grill Smoked Shrimp Recipes

There are endless possibilities when it comes to flavoring smoked shrimp on the pellet grill. Here are a few popular recipe ideas:

Garlic Herb Smoked Shrimp

• Marinate peeled shrimp in olive oil, melted butter, chopped garlic, lemon juice, parsley, Traeger Fin & Feather seasoning, salt, and pepper.

• Smoke at 400°F for 4-6 minutes until done.

Chili Lime Smoked Shrimp

• Toss shrimp in olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cilantro.

• Smoke at 400°F for 4-6 minutes until cooked through.

Jerk Smoked Shrimp

• Mix shrimp with Caribbean jerk seasoning, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, brown sugar, thyme, allspice, and cayenne pepper.

• Smoke for 4-5 minutes per side at 400°F.

Cajun Smoked Shrimp

• Marinate shrimp in olive oil, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

• Smoke at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until done.

Old Bay Smoked Shrimp

• Toss shrimp in melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, parsley, and black pepper.

• Grill for 4-5 minutes per side at 400°F until opaque.

Serving Smoked Shrimp

Smoked shrimp make for an impressive appetizer, main dish, or addition to other recipes. Here are some tasty ways to use up your batch of pellet grill smoked shrimp:

• Serve as a starter with cocktail or remoulade sauce for dipping

• Pile on top of a salad

• Stuff into tacos or burritos

• Mix with pasta or rice

• Add to seafood chowder or gumbo

• Place on top of bruschetta

• Fold into an omelette

• Put on top of nachos or pizza

• Add to quesadillas or fajitas

• Use in sandwiches, wraps, or po’ boys

• Top a baked potato

• Mix into dips like spinach artichoke dip

So get ready to enjoy deliciously smoky shrimp with minimal time and effort using your versatile pellet grill. Smoked shrimp cooked on the pellet smoker is sure to become a new favorite appetizer or meal in your household. Get creative with different seasonings and enjoy the compliments on these fantastic smoked shrimp!