Hey there fellow BBQ lovers! Today I’m gonna share my favorite tips and tricks for making the most amazing BBQ shrimp you’ve ever tasted After trying countless methods and recipes over the years, I’ve perfected this technique that’ll make your mouth water Let’s dive right in!
What You’ll Need
Essential Ingredients:
- 2 lbs raw gulf shrimp (tail-on, peeled and deveined)
- 2 sticks salted butter
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 lemon (sliced)
- Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup dark beer
- Your favorite BBQ rub
- Cajun seasoning
Equipment:
- Cast iron skillet
- BBQ grill or smoker
- Tongs
- Basting brush
- Grill brush for cleaning
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Prep Work (The Secret to Success!)
First things first, let’s get everything ready:
- Clean your shrimp properly (if not already cleaned)
- Pat them dry with paper towels
- Let them come to room temperature
- Get your grill preheated to 375°F
Pro tip: Don’t skip the pat-dry step! It helps the seasoning stick better and gives you that perfect sear.
2. The Butter Sauce Magic
Here’s where the magic happens:
- Cut butter into pats and place in your iron skillet
- Add minced garlic
- Throw in those lemon slices
- Pour in Worcestershire sauce
- Add your dark beer
- Season with Cajun seasoning
3. The Cooking Process
- Place your skillet on the grill (375°F)
- Let it cook for 15-20 minutes, giving it an occasional stir
- Season shrimp with BBQ rub
- Add shrimp to the skillet
- Gently toss to coat all shrimp in that amazing sauce
- Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring halfway through
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listen up y’all – here’s what NOT to do:
- Don’t overcook! Shrimp turns rubbery when overcooked
- Don’t use tiny shrimp – go for medium or large ones
- Skip the pre-cooked shrimp – always use raw
- Don’t forget to stir occasionally
Tips for Perfect BBQ Shrimp Every Time
- Size Matters: Use 21-25 or 26-30 count shrimp
- Temperature Control: Keep your grill steady at 375°F
- Timing is Everything: Watch those shrimp like a hawk!
- The Beer Choice: Dark beer adds amazing flavor depth
Serving Suggestions
Serve your BBQ shrimp with:
- Crusty bread for soaking up that butter sauce
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Cold beer (obviously! )
- Grilled vegetables
Storage Tips
If you somehow end up with leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!)
- Store in an airtight container
- Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days
- Reheat gently to avoid overcooking
Final Thoughts
Y’all, this BBQ shrimp recipe is seriously a game-changer. It’s become my go-to for both casual family dinners and when I’m trying to impress guests. The combination of that butter sauce with the smoky BBQ flavors is just unbeatable!
Remember, practice makes perfect, and don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings to your taste. Trust me, once you nail this recipe, your friends and family won’t let you cook shrimp any other way!
Would you like me to explain or break down any part of this article in more detail?
To Marinate, or not to Marinate?
Have you ever bitten into a shrimp and instantly cringed at the slightly mushy texture? Chances are that the shrimp was left too long in a marinade. Unlike other proteins such as beef that can benefit from long spa soaks in a marinade, shrimp don’t require that much time.
When using a marinade that contains any type of acid such as citrus or vinegar, it only takes 15 minutes up to an hour to reap the benefits of the flavors. The larger your shrimp, the more time you have to marinate.
However oil based marinades are a great option that will allow you to use the prep it and forget it approach. You can easily create a flavor packed oil based marinade by adding your favorite herbs, spices, and aromatics such as garlic or shallots to olive oil or a neutral flavored oil. In addition you can still infuse that kiss of citrus without using any acid simply by adding citrus zest.
Basting is always a good option when you grill shrimp. The same flavors that you might put in your favorite marinade can easily be added while grilling. For extra flavor swap out your favorite basting brush for hearty herbs such as rosemary or sprigs of thyme.
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Some things are timelessly classic, and cast-iron cooking over fire is one of them. Cast iron skillets are perfectly suited to the intense heat of live fire while still evenly distributing that heat. If you’re looking to get a little saucy, cast iron is the way to go. This is a great way to grill shrimp if you’re adding them to something else such as pasta and also a fun grill to table ready-made appetizer. Throw on some crusty bread to get a little charred, give those shrimps a splash of wine as you pour a glass for yourself, and you’re on your way to an effortless and easy happy hour at home.
Besides cooking shrimp evenly and quickly on the grill while allowing you to create layers of flavors and different sauces, the cast iron skillet will ensure your food stays warm while you prepare the rest of your grill feast. Simply move it over to the indirect side of your grill.
In addition to cast iron cooking on the grill, wok cooking has become a popular way of getting outside and creating a complete meal over fire in a hurry. From the Big Green Egg to the classic Weber kettle, many of today’s grills have wok accessories. Skip the takeout and have fun creating your favorite shrimp fried rice, shrimp Pad Thai, or shrimp lo mein.
Closely related to cast iron cooking is cooking with a griddle or plancha. These flat top surfaces that can either be an insert to your grill or a thing unto themselves allow you to get that caramelized crust all over your shrimp. If you’re thinking about making shrimp tacos or fajitas, this might be a great option to grill shrimp.
Just like cast iron cooking the heat is evenly distributed and the flat surface helps build a charred crust on the outside while still giving the shrimp that snappy bite. The flat surface combined with a spatula also makes it easy to flip multiple shrimp at once, until the regular grates of a grill when shrimp aren’t skewered.
Shrimp on a Stick
It has to be a proven fact somewhere that food on a stick is just more fun. As soon as the skewers come out, the party begins. These hand held fiesta ready treats allow you to cook multiple shrimp at a time and flip them easily. There’s no chasing tail with this method to grill shrimp.
There are tips though to creating the ultimate shrimp skewer.To begin with, it starts with the skewers themselves. Metal skewers are always optimal. There’s no need to soak them and no worry of them catching fire or getting singed. However, wood skewers are readily available, make for easy cleanup, and are budget friendly. We recommend using flat skewers to prevent the shrimp from spinning too much over round skewers. With just a little prep these classic grilling accessories will have you being the star of your next backyard barbecue.
- Always presoak your wood/bamboo skewers. You can either slow soak them by submerging them in cool water for an hour, or quick soak them by pouring hot water over the skewers and letting them sit for 15 minutes.
- In addition to soaking them in water, you can also add a little salt to the water, stirring to dissolve before adding your skewers. The salt helps in both preventing the skewers from singing, and also lightly seasons the shrimp.
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In addition to what type of skewers you use, it’s always good to be mindful of what you add to your skewers. The idea of a surf and turf kabob might seem fun, but different proteins cook at different rates. Pair shrimp with chicken and you might be left with raw chicken or overcooked shrimp. There’s nothing like raw meat or rubbery shrimp to instantly put the fizzle in your shrimp sizzle.
Pick foods with similar cook times, and also similar sizes. We love pairing shrimp with smoked sausage for an appetizer with a kick. Here are a few more protein pairings.
- Pancetta
- Steak tips (bite size pieces)
- Sirloin
- Filet Mignon Bites
- Ribeye
Many vegetable options also pair perfectly with the quick cook time of shrimp. Stick with seasonal vegetables. Have fun playing with fresh flavors and different flavor profiles!
- Baby peppers
- Onions
- Cherry tomatoes
- Baby Artichokes
- Baby Bok chow
- Squash
- Zucchini
- Pineapple chunks or rings
- Mango
- Blood Oranges
- Fennel
- Button Mushrooms
- Baby or mini potatoes
Smoked Shrimp Recipe | Barbecue Shrimp Smoked on Ole Hickory Smoker
FAQ
How to cook shrimp on the barbecue?
Place shrimp directly over hot side of grill and cook, turning occasionally, until shrimp are just cooked through and well charred, 4 to 5 minutes total.
What is the secret to grilling shrimp?
Shrimp are a great protein to cook at a high heat, but you don’t want the heat so high that they burn. Always aim to keep your grill at between 350-450 degrees.
What are some common grilling mistakes with shrimp?
- Skipping the Deveining Step. …
- Not Thawing Shrimp Properly. …
- Overcooking Shrimp. …
- Skipping the Seasoning. …
- Using the Wrong Cooking Method. …
- Throwing Away Shrimp Shells. …
- Not Drying Shrimp before Cooking. …
- Forgetting to Preheat the Pan.
Is it better to barbecue shrimp with shell on or off?
When it comes to grilling shrimp, keeping the shell on definitely has the advantage. The idea of leaving the shell on is primarily to protect the tender meat. It provides a more robust layer to shield against the flame, a heat deflector, if you will.
Can you cook shrimp on a BBQ?
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.
What makes a good BBQ shrimp recipe?
The perfect bbq shrimp recipe is all about flavor, texture, and technique. Here’s what makes the difference: Juicy, Not Dry – Overcooked shrimp turn rubbery. The goal is to cook them just until they turn pink and opaque. Smoky and Flavorful – A great recipe includes spices, herbs, and marinades that complement the natural sweetness of shrimp.
How do I choose the best shrimp for grilling?
Selecting shrimp comes down to size and species. Larger shrimp, like jumbo or extra-large, work better on the grill due to their ability to hold moisture. Common types include: American Shrimp: These are often sweet and tender, perfect for grilling. Gulf Shrimp: Known for their bold flavor and firm texture, they add a nice bite.
How do you cook shrimp without grilling?
Instead of grilling, the shrimp are cooked in a buttery, spicy, and tangy sauce. Here’s how: Swap traditional BBQ sauce for Worcestershire sauce, butter, lemon juice, and Creole seasoning. Cook the shrimp in a cast-iron skillet instead of grilling. Serve with crusty French bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
How do you cook Louisiana grilled shrimp?
This Louisiana-style BBQ shrimp is different from the traditional grilled version. Instead of grilling, the shrimp are cooked in a buttery, spicy, and tangy sauce. Here’s how: Swap traditional BBQ sauce for Worcestershire sauce, butter, lemon juice, and Creole seasoning. Cook the shrimp in a cast-iron skillet instead of grilling.
Should you Grill raw or cooked shrimp?
Raw vs. Cooked: Always choose raw shrimp for grilling, unless you want to reheat pre-cooked shrimp. Now that you’ve chosen your shrimp, it’s time for preparation to ensure they grill beautifully. If you bought shrimp with shells, here’s how to clean them: Remove the Shell: Pinch the base of the shrimp to remove the shell.