Yes, you absolutely can grill cocktail shrimp – and lemme tell ya, it’s a total game-changer! As someone who’s made countless shrimp dishes, I can confidently say that grilling adds an incredible smoky flavor that takes regular ol’ shrimp cocktail to the next level. Let me walk you through everything you need to know to nail this dish
Why You Should Skip Store-Bought and Grill Your Own
Let’s be real – those pre-made shrimp cocktails from the grocery store are pretty sad. The shrimp are usually tiny, bland, and have that weird translucent look. Plus, the cocktail sauce? Meh. Way too sweet and barely any kick.
Making your own grilled shrimp cocktail is:
- SUPER easy
- Way more flavorful
- Perfect for entertaining
- Customizable to your taste
- Ready in under 30 minutes
Getting the Right Shrimp
Here’s what you need to look for
- Size matters! Go for large shrimp (U-15 to U-20 size)
- Fresh is best, but frozen works too (just thaw completely)
- Peel and devein them, leaving the tail on
- Pat them dry before seasoning
The Perfect Marinade
I’ve found this simple marinade adds tons of flavor without overwhelming the shrimp:
- Minced fresh garlic
- Lemon or lime zest
- Good quality olive oil
- Red pepper flakes
- Fresh ground black pepper
Pro tip Don’t marinate longer than 15-20 minutes – the acid can start cooking the shrimp!
Grilling Method That Works Every Time
- Preheat grill to medium-high (400-450°F)
- Thread shrimp on skewers (metal preferred, or soak wooden ones first)
- Grill 2-3 minutes per side
- They’re done when pink and slightly firm
Two Amazing Sauce Options
Classic Cocktail Sauce
Mix together:
- 2/3 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp prepared horseradish
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce to taste
Creamy Avocado Sauce (My Fave!)
Blend:
- Ripe avocado
- Sour cream
- Fresh peppers
- Cilantro
- Salt to taste
Make-Ahead Tips
One of the best things about grilled shrimp cocktail? You can serve it hot OR cold! If you’re having people over:
- Grill shrimp ahead of time
- Chill in fridge
- Make sauces in advance
- Arrange just before serving
Presentation Ideas
Wanna get fancy? Try these serving suggestions:
- Fill shot glasses with sauce and perch a shrimp on the rim
- Arrange on a platter with lemon wedges and fresh herbs
- Serve in martini glasses for extra elegance
- Put sauce in a bowl surrounded by shrimp
Common Questions I Get
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
A: Yep! Just thaw completely and pat dry.
Q: How do I prevent overcooking?
A: Watch carefully – they only need 2-3 mins per side!
Q: What if I don’t have a grill?
A: A grill pan works great too!
Final Tips for Success
- Don’t skip drying the shrimp – helps seasoning stick better
- Use skewers to make grilling easier
- Don’t overcrowd the grill
- Remove shrimp just before they look done – they’ll keep cooking
- Adjust sauce seasonings to your taste
Well, there ya have it – everything you need to know about making awesome grilled shrimp cocktail! Trust me, once you try this version, you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff. It’s perfect for summer entertaining or just treating yourself to something special.
Now get out there and fire up that grill! And hey, if you try this recipe, drop me a comment below – I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!
Happy grilling!
Grilled! Shrimp! Cocktail!!because it’s summer and that means we’re grilling.
idk if you know this, but I have a pretty great roof deck. And I don’t even have to share it with any neighbors!
I love sitting out there in the mornings with my cup of coffee, watching the little sparrows that hang in my makeshift birdbath flit around and chirp. It may be right by the train and off a busy street, but I find it very peaceful and relaxing.
I haven’t been hosting nearly enough hangs out there and I am making it my mission to do so more this summer (hey all you friends reading this, let’s party).
That being said, I recently made grilled shrimp cocktail and didn’t share it with a single person.
I absolutely loooooove shrimp cocktail. I even like cocktail sauce, despite the fact that it is ketchup-based (and you know my thoughts and feels on ketchup).
I love shrimp cocktail at the holidays. It feels very festive to bring to a gathering (or serve at one). I enjoy a shrimp cocktail with my martini, of course. It is definitely an obligatory appetizer for me at a steakhouse. See this video for how I make shrimp cocktail (and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel).
But we’re not making your average shrimp cocktail today, folks. Nope, not at all.
Today we’re grilling our shrimp and serving it with a non-ketchup sauce.
Get some nice big shrimp and toss them with a simple spice blend of cardamom, cumin, and cayenne, plus salt and sugar. I know, sugar, weird for this right?
The sugar amplifies the sweetness of the shrimp and balances the other spices in the rub. Plus, it makes for deeper caramelization when you grill these guys. So come on, give it a go, would ya?
The best part of this recipe, however, is the sauce.
THIS SAUCE MIGHT BE THE BEST THING I MAKE.
It’s basically the same as the dressing I made for my grilled corn and avocado chopped salad. Avocado, sour cream, peppers, and cilantro…this sauce is drinkable. Yes, use it as a salad dressing. Yes, dip your grilled shrimp in it. Yes, use it as a dip for your next crudité platter.
But don’t take my word for it. MAKE IT YOURSELF. Make it all summer long. Serve it with any grilled protein! But with grilled shrimp, as a little app, it’s pretty f-ing great. You can even cook the shrimp ahead of time and serve them cold, like you would normal shrimp cocktail.
Now save this recipe and go make it and lmk what you think.
ty love you bye.
Grilled Shrimp Cocktail Recipe