Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’ve been cooking shrimp for over a decade, and lemme tell you – barbecue shrimp is one of those dishes that people often get wrong. But don’t worry! I’m gonna share my tried-and-tested method that’ll make you a BBQ shrimp master in no time.
The New Orleans Style vs. Grilled BBQ Shrimp
Before we dive in, let’s clear something up real quick There’s actually two totally different ways to make BBQ shrimp
- New Orleans Style: This isn’t actually barbecued! It’s shrimp cooked in a rich, buttery Worcestershire sauce. No grill required!
- Grilled BBQ Style: This is when you actually cook the shrimp on a barbecue grill.
I’m gonna show you both methods cuz they’re both amazeballs in their own way!
New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp Recipe
What You’ll Need
- 16 jumbo shrimp (about 1.5 pounds)
- 1½ cups unsalted butter (yeah, that’s 3 sticks! Trust me on this)
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp Creole seasoning
- 1 tsp minced garlic
Step-by-Step Instructions
-
Prep the Shrimp
- If using frozen shrimp, thaw ’em in the fridge overnight
- Leave the shells on (adds more flavor!)
-
Make the Sauce:
- Toss everything except butter in a large skillet
- Cook on medium-high heat till shrimp turn pink (about 1 min per side)
- Lower the heat to medium
- Add butter gradually, stirring like crazy until it’s all melted
-
Finish & Serve:
- Pour that yummy sauce over the shrimp
- Serve with French bread for soaking up all that buttery goodness
Grilled BBQ Shrimp Recipe
What You’ll Need
- 1½ pounds large shrimp (21-25 count)
- Olive oil
- Your fave BBQ seasoning
- Skewers (if using wooden ones, soak ’em first!)
The Basic Steps
- Prep Work:
- Clean and pat dry your shrimp- If using wooden skewers, soak for 30 mins- Heat grill to medium-high (around 400°F)- Season Those Bad Boys:
- Toss shrimp with olive oil- Add your seasonings- Thread onto skewers if using- Grillin’ Time:
- Place shrimp on hot grill- Cook 2-3 mins per side- They're done when opaque and got nice grill marksPro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
For New Orleans Style:
- Don’t skimp on the butter! I know it seems like a lot, but it’s what makes the sauce amazing
- Add butter slowly while stirring – this helps it emulsify properly
- Using head-on shrimp? Even better! The heads add extra flavor
For Grilled Style:
- Don’t overcrowd the grill – give those shrimp some space!
- Watch ’em like a hawk – they cook super fast
- Pat ’em dry before seasoning – helps get better grill marks
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Listen up, fam! Here’s what NOT to do:
- Don’t overcook! Rubbery shrimp = sad times
- Don’t use pre-cooked shrimp (they’ll end up tough)
- Don’t marinate too long in acidic marinades
- Don’t flip the shrimp more than once if possible
Serving Suggestions
Here’s how I like to serve my BBQ shrimp:
New Orleans Style:
- Crusty French bread (essential for sauce-soaking!)
- Side of rice
- Simple green salad
Grilled Style:
- On tacos with slaw
- Over pasta or rice
- In a salad
- Just as is with some lemon wedges
Storage Tips
Got leftovers? Here’s what to do:
- Store in airtight container
- Keep in fridge up to 3 days
- Reheat gently to avoid overcooking
Y’all, making BBQ shrimp ain’t rocket science! Whether you’re going for that buttery New Orleans style or that smoky grilled goodness, just follow these steps and you’ll be golden. Now get in that kitchen and start cooking!
And hey, if you mess up the first time, no biggie – we’ve all been there! Just keep at it and you’ll be serving up perfect BBQ shrimp in no time.
Lemme know in the comments how your shrimp turned out! Happy cooking!
Louisiana Barbecued Shrimp From Toni Tipton-Martin & B. Smith
- Step 1In a small bowl, combine the cayenne, black pepper, salt, red pepper flakes, thyme, oregano, paprika, and bay leaves.
- Step 2In a large cast-iron skillet, heat the butter over medium-high until melted and sizzling. Add the garlic, spices, wine, fish stock, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens enough to lightly coat a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes; shake the pan as it cooks to help bring the sauce together.
- Step 3Add the shrimp, reduce the heat to low, and cook, turning once, until the shrimp turn pink and firm, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Step 4Sprinkle the shrimp with parsley and serve immediately from the skillet with hot French bread to soak up the sauce. Eat with your hands.
New Orleans Style Barbecue Shrimp
FAQ
How to cook shrimp on the barbecue?
Place shrimp directly on a grill for 1-2 minutes per side until bright pink and cooked through. Remove from the grill and serve with fresh lemon juice.May 5, 2025
Can you put barbecue sauce on shrimp?
Yes, BBQ sauce can be used on shrimp. There are many recipes that feature shrimp cooked with BBQ sauce, either grilled, baked, or pan-fried.
What is New Orleans BBQ shrimp?
New Orleans Barbequed Shrimp
Here in New Orleans, barbecued shrimp means sautéed shrimp in Worcestershire-spiked butter sauce. We serve these shrimp with heads and tails on, so you need to dig in to enjoy. I highly recommend a bib. We are famous for our barbecued shrimp, and with reason.
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.
What is a BBQ shrimp recipe?
My BBQ shrimp is the perfect summer grilling recipe for seafood lovers, and it’s so incredibly quick and easy! All you need is shrimp, a little oil, salt & pepper, and a bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce! The BBQ sauce caramelizes and makes for the most delicious shrimp you’ll ever try!
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 is New Orleans style BBQ shrimp?
These New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp are so buttery, spicy, and good. Fresh shrimp are baked in a sauce flavored with lots of spice, garlic, lemon juice, and green onion. Save this recipe! Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
How do you cook Cajun BBQ shrimp?
This Cajun-inspired bbq shrimp recipe brings heat and smoky depth with classic Southern spices. Mix all seasonings with olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl. Toss shrimp in the mixture and marinate for 15 minutes. Grill over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, flipping once.
Can you use shrimp heads in BBQ sauce?
If you can get your hands on shrimp with the heads still on, use them for this recipe. The heads will add even more flavor to the sauce. Watch the video below to see how easy it is to make New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp These New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp are so buttery, spicy, and good.
How do you cook a 1 lb shrimp?
Use a very large skillet for 1 ½ pounds shrimp. If you don’t have a large enough pan, you can sauté in batches. Cook until the shrimp are cooked halfway, then flip and add sauce. You’ll cook the shrimp the rest of the way with the sauce in the pan. Make a quick dinner out of this BBQ shrimp by adding a simple side dish!