This simple Grilled Shrimp recipe is full of flavor and only takes minutes to make. The shrimp are marinated in a simple sauce and then grilled until they are just right. Enjoy as an appetizer, main dish, or salad topper – it’s ALL good!!.
Grilled shrimp is a quick, easy and delicious way to add seafood into your diet. The smoky, charred flavor pairs perfectly with a variety of sides and ingredients. However, it can be challenging figuring out what to make with those juicy grilled shrimp once they come hot off the grill.
Luckily, there are endless possibilities when it comes to turning simple grilled shrimp into a complete meal. In this article, I’ll share 15 of my favorite recipes for what to make with grilled shrimp. From tacos to pasta, salads to skewers, there’s something here for every taste and occasion.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Tacos are one of my favorite ways to use up grilled shrimp. The smoky flavor pairs perfectly with the traditional taco fillings like diced tomatoes shredded cabbage, avocado and lime. Simply wrap the shrimp and desired toppings in warm corn or flour tortillas for an easy weeknight dinner. For extra flavor make a quick chipotle crema or chimichurri sauce to drizzle on top.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Stir fried rice is a great way to use leftover grilled shrimp. Cook up some rice then toss in the shrimp along with frozen peas and carrots, scrambled eggs, green onions and soy sauce. The smoky shrimp adds tons of extra flavor to the classic fried rice.
Shrimp Ceviche
For a lighter, brighter dish, try making ceviche with your grilled shrimp. Mix the shrimp with diced tomatoes, onion, cucumber, cilantro and lime or lemon juice. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to “cook” the shrimp in the citrus juice. Serve with tortilla chips for a tasty appetizer or light meal.
Shrimp Salad Wraps
These easy shrimp salad wraps are perfect for lunch on the go. Combine the grilled shrimp with mayo, diced celery, scallions, lemon juice and lettuce. Wrap up in a tortilla or lettuce leaves for a lighter option. The smoky grilled shrimp gives this classic shrimp salad an extra punch of flavor.
Shrimp Kebabs
For easy entertaining, shrimp kebabs are always a hit. Thread shrimp and vegetables like peppers, onions and zucchini onto skewers and grill until cooked through. Serve with rice and a tangy sauce like chimichurri or tzatziki on the side. Grilling the shrimp gives them tons of extra flavor.
Shrimp Fajitas
Sizzling shrimp fajitas are a crowd-pleasing dinner. Cook sliced bell peppers and onions until tender, then add in the shrimp and season with cajun seasoning. Wrap in warm tortillas and serve with desired toppings like guacamole pico de gallo and lime wedges.
Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya
Jambalaya is the perfect way to use up a batch of grilled shrimp. Saute the holy trinity of onions, celery and bell peppers. Add rice, shrimp, smoked sausage and Cajun seasoning. Cook until the rice absorbs the flavors. Top with green onions for a satisfying one-pot meal.
Shrimp and Vegetable Foil Packs
These foil pack dinners make grilling shrimp and veggies a breeze. Simply place the shrimp and chopped veggies like zucchini, squash and tomatoes on a foil sheet. Add seasoning and olive oil then seal up the packet. Grill for 10-15 minutes for an easy, mess-free dinner.
Shrimp Pesto Pasta
Toss grilled shrimp with pesto, cherry tomatoes and cooked pasta for a simple yet impressive summer meal. The basil pesto pairs perfectly with the smoky shrimp. Add a vegetable like zucchini ribbons or sautéed spinach to round out the dish.
Shrimp Quesadillas
An easy dinner option is shrimp quesadillas. Fill tortillas with grilled shrimp, cheese, onions and bell peppers. Grill the quesadillas until the cheese is melted and tortilla crispy. Serve with guacamole, salsa and sour cream for a fast Tex-Mex meal.
Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry
For a nourishing bowl, try a shrimp and vegetable stir fry. Cook up quick-cooking vegetables like snap peas, broccoli and bell pepper. Toss in grilled shrimp at the end to heat through. Serve over rice or cauliflower rice for a gluten free option.
Shrimp Salad
A shrimp-focused salad makes a nice light lunch or dinner. Combine grilled shrimp with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, avocado and lemon vinaigrette. Top with crumbled feta or goat cheese for extra creamy flavor in every bite.
Shrimp Gazpacho
For a refreshing soup, puree grilled shrimp with tomato juice, cucumbers, bell peppers and fresh herbs. Chill the gazpacho for at least 2 hours before serving for all the flavors to meld together. Garnish with extra grilled shrimp, cucumber and olive oil.
Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo
In this New Orleans classic, simmer grilled shrimp and smoked sausage with onions, celery, bell peppers and okra in a rich, flavorful roux-thickened broth. Serve over rice for soaking up all that deliciousness. The smoky shrimp adds another layer of flavor.
Grilled Shrimp Burgers
For a fun twist on burgers, make patties with ground shrimp versus beef. Add breadcrumbs, egg and seasoning to bind them. Grill the patties and serve on buns with desired toppings like lettuce, tomato and a spicy mayo sauce.
Coconut Shrimp Curry
Curries make a flavorful use for leftover grilled shrimp. Saute aromatics like onions and garlic then add coconut milk, spices and grilled shrimp. Simmer until heated through and serve over rice. The coconut shrimp curry is rich, creamy and full of flavor.
Frequency of Entities:
grilled shrimp: 23
shrimp: 24
recipes: 10
grill: 7
flavor: 6
vegetables: 5
rice: 4
tacos: 3
salad: 3
pasta: 2
fajitas: 2
lime: 2
onions: 2
peppers: 2
/grilled-jumbo-shrimp-155141877-584b2fd35f9b58a8cdac77a6.jpg)
Why This Is The Best Grilled Shrimp Recipe
Grilling shrimp doesn’t have to be difficult. You can have juicy, flavorful shrimp in just a few minutes! Here’s why you’ll love this grilled shrimp recipe:
- Super flavorful. I added a lot of flavor to this recipe, even though it only had a few common ingredients.
- It’s so easy. It’s important to say it again: this recipe is SO EASY! You can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes.
- Tender and succulent. My goal is to always have perfectly cooked shrimp. For me, that means a beautiful char on the outside and a soft, juicy center. This recipe definitely achieves that goal! .
- Versatile. When you grill shrimp, you can serve it with a lot of different sides, like rice or vegetables. You can even serve it as an appetizer. See some of my ideas for how to serve this food further down the page.
- Quick to cook. Just a few minutes on the grill will make shrimp perfectly cooked, so dinner is ready FAST!
- A great hot-weather option. These shrimp are cooked on the grill, so if it’s hot outside, you won’t have to use your stove or oven. We do, however, like grilled shrimp so much that we eat it in all kinds of weather. We even eat it when it snows!
Below you’ll find an outline of all the ingredients in this easy grilled shrimp recipe.
Scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredient amounts.
- Olive oil – I use extra virgin olive oil.
- Lemon juice: For the freshest taste, use lemon juice that has just been squeezed.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic is a must in this marinade!
- Old Bay spice: You can find Old Bay in the spice section of the grocery store, next to the other spices. This tasty seasoning has been in our spice drawer for a long time.
- Granulated sugar—Sugar gives the marinade a hint of sweetness and helps the shrimp char on the hot grill grates.
- Smoked paprika – For smoky spice flavor – so good!!
- Salt – I use kosher salt in this recipe.
- Black pepper
- Large shrimp—For this recipe, you need very large shrimp so they don’t fall through the grill grates. Leave the tails on, make sure the shrimp are deveined.
How To Grill Shrimp
Follow my simple method for grilling shrimp below:
- Prep the grill. Heat grill to medium-high/high. Clean the grates and then rub oil on the grates.
- Make the marinade. Salt, pepper, Old Bay, sugar, smoked paprika, and oil should all be mixed together in a low, wide bowl.
- Marinate the shrimp. Put the shrimp in the bowl with the marinade. Carefully fold the shrimp to cover them all.
- Grill the shrimp. Put the shrimp on the hot grill grates and cook for three minutes, or until they start to get charred. Turn the shrimp over and cook for another two minutes, or until they are no longer see-through. Take care to not overcook. Smaller shrimp will take less time.
- Serve hot. Serve the grilled shrimp right away for the best texture and taste. I also think you should give people fresh lemon wedges to squeeze on top.
BEST GRILLED SHRIMP RECIPE | garlic grilled shrimp skewers – easy!
FAQ
Is grilled shrimp healthy?
Is frozen shrimp good to grill?
What to serve with grilled shrimp?
Guaranteed to be a family favorite. Toss a completely refreshing arugula and watermelon salad with cucumber, mint, onion and olive, and top it with spicy grilled shrimp. Trisha serves her grilled shrimp with a simple salsa made from cilantro, mango, lime juice, jalapeno and red onion for the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
What are the best grilled shrimp sides?
From tangy carrot slaw to a colorful Israeli couscous salad, we’ve rounded up 35 of the best grilled shrimp sides for a satisfying dinner. Coleslaw is such a standby this time of year. Not only is it crisp and refreshing, but it also can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge to be reached for whenever you need it.
What makes the best grilled shrimp?
Okay, now to that one ingredient that makes these the best damn grilled shrimp on the planet. It’s sesame oil. Sesame oil is oil extracted from sesame seeds. It’s usually thicker than traditional vegetable oil and has a rich, amber color, but the best part about sesame oil is that it’s a concentrated burst of umami.
Can you cook shrimp on a grill?
Since the grill is already on, you might as well cook the entire dinner right on the grates. Toss some corn on the cob or veggie kebabs on the grill and you’ve got a tasty side for your shrimp. Marinated broccoli gets tossed with Parmesan and grilled to tender, smoky perfection.