Hey there fellow grillers! I’ve been experimenting with grilling jumbo shrimp for years at ShunGrill, and I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned about getting them just right. Let’s dive into the most important thing you need to know – how long to grill these bad boys to perfection!
The Quick Answer
For perfectly grilled jumbo shrimp, you’ll want to cook them for:
- 2-3 minutes per side on medium-high heat (375-400°F)
- Total cooking time: 4-6 minutes
But wait! There’s more to nailing the perfect grilled shrimp than just timing. Let me break it down for ya…
Essential Pre-Grilling Steps
1. Prep Your Shrimp
Before we even think about timing, make sure your jumbo shrimp are
- Cleaned and deveined
- Patted dry with paper towels
- At room temperature (this helps with even cooking)
2. Season ‘Em Up
Here’s my go-to seasoning mix that never fails:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- A pinch of cayenne (if you like heat)
3. Skewer Setup
Pro tip: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. Trust me, nobody wants burned skewers ruining their shrimp game!
The Perfect Grilling Method
Step 1: Get Your Grill Ready
- Heat to medium-high (375-400°F)
- Clean those grates!
- Oil ’em up to prevent sticking
Step 2: Time to Grill
- Place skewered shrimp on the hot grill
- First side: 2-3 minutes
- Flip ’em over
- Second side: 2-3 minutes
How to Know When They’re Done
Your jumbo shrimp are ready when:
- They turn pink and opaque
- Form a slight ‘C’ shape (not a tight ‘O’ – that means they’re overcooked!)
- Internal temp hits 145°F
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking – This is the biggest no-no! Overcooked shrimp get rubbery and nobody wants that
- Cold shrimp on hot grill – Let them come to room temp first
- Overcrowded grill – Give those babies some space!
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Size Matters: Jumbo shrimp usually means 16-20 shrimp per pound. If yours are different, adjust cooking time slightly
- Marinade Magic: If marinating, keep it under 30 minutes – any longer and the acid can start “cooking” the shrimp
- Oil Those Grates: I can’t stress this enough – oiled grates = no sticking
Serving Suggestions
I love serving my grilled jumbo shrimp with:
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Garlic butter sauce
- Grilled veggies
- Rice or quinoa
- Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro
Troubleshooting Tips
Having issues? Here’s what might be wrong
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Shrimp sticking to grill | Make sure grates are clean and oiled |
| Uneven cooking | Ensure all shrimp are similar size |
| Rubbery texture | Reduce cooking time |
| Not enough flavor | Season more generously before grilling |
Storage and Leftovers
If you somehow end up with leftover grilled jumbo shrimp (which rarely happens at my house!):
- Store in airtight container
- Keep in fridge up to 3 days
- Enjoy cold in salads or gently reheat
Final Thoughts
Remember, grilling jumbo shrimp isn’t rocket science – it’s all about timing and technique. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be the shrimp-grilling master at every backyard BBQ!
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and marinades. The 2-3 minutes per side timing remains the same, but the flavors? That’s where you can get creative!
And hey, if you mess up the first time, no worries! We’ve all been there Just remember it’s better to undercook slightly (you can always put them back on) than to overcook these precious seafood morsels
Would you like me to explain or break down anything about the grilling process in more detail?
Steps to Make It
- Gather the ingredients.
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The Spruce Eats - Peel and devein shrimp. Blot dry with paper towels and place in a resealable plastic bag.
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The Spruce Eats - Combine marinade ingredients: oil, cilantro, lemon juice, shallot, minced garlic, chopped basil, salt, and white pepper (if using) in a bowl or large mixing cup.
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The Spruce Eats - Pour mixture over shrimp. Seal bag and place in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes—but no longer than that because the acid from the lemon juice will begin to soften the shrimp.
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The Spruce Eats - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Right before placing shrimp on the grill, oil the grill grates well—use tongs and paper towels dipped in oil. Make about 4 passes to create a nonstick surface.
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The Spruce Eats - Remove shrimp from the bag and discard marinade. Place shrimp on the grill and allow to cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until they appear pink and firm all the way around.
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The Spruce Eats - Remove from heat and serve immediately with a little extra chopped cilantro or basil on top. Enjoy!
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The Spruce Eats
- If you dont care for cilantro, substitute flat-leaf parsley. This recipe will actually work with almost any fresh herb, so replace or add as you please.
- If you enjoy a little extra spice, add just a dash of cayenne pepper to your marinade. Be careful, however, as more than a dash could be overwhelming.
- Chopped scallions (green onions) make a nice topping for this dish and can add a touch of elegance.
- For a taste of Down Under, try this Australian Shrimp on the Barbie recipe.
- Shrimp cook fast enough that you can keep the grill lid up; you also need to watch them carefully to prevent overcooking. Remove the shrimp from the grill right as theyre done, or even a little before theyre ready (the residual heat will finish cooking them).
- Depending on the style of your grill, it might be easier to thread these jumbo shrimp onto skewers before grilling. Place about 4 to 5 shrimp onto each skewer and cook as instructed. Alternatively, you can place the shrimp with a little bit of the marinade in a tightly sealed aluminum foil pouch and put on the grill for about 10 minutes.
- Since this marinade would also be great as a sauce to drizzle over the shrimp once theyre cooked, consider doubling the recipe, saving half to use when serving.
This recipe calls for drying the shrimp before marinating—this is especially important if you are using frozen shrimp, as the method for defrosting is running them under cold water until thawed. Shrimp that retain water can result in soggy shellfish so it is important that you do your best to dry them before cooking.
Most shrimp come from the market with their shells on, and sometimes they have been deveined already. If you have purchased deveined shrimp, the process of removing the shells will be easier since there is often a slit down the back of the shrimp (where the vein was removed). Whether you leave the tail on or not is up to you. If your shrimp arent deveined, the deveining technique is pretty easy. While keeping the shrimp in an ice bath, take one and cut down the back of the shrimp using the tip of a paring knife. You should be able to see the vein; you can lift it out using the tip of the knife or your fingers. If you are finding this challenging, hold the back of the shrimp under a stream of cold water—it should push the vein right out.
Super Quick Video Tips: The Best Way to Grill Shrimp
FAQ
How long to grill raw jumbo shrimp?
Preheat your grill to 350-450°F and set it up for direct cooking. Grill the shrimp over direct, medium heat for 5-7 minutes, turning the shrimp halfway through the process.
How long does it take to cook raw jumbo shrimp?
Bring liquid to a boil, stirring to dissolve salt, then remove pot from heat. Add 1 lb. jumbo shell-on shrimp, deveined, and poach, uncovered (1½–2 minutes for large shrimp, 2–3 minutes for jumbo shrimp, 3–4 minutes for super-jumbo shrimp, or 5+ minutes for colossal shrimp).
Is it better to grill raw or cooked shrimp?
How do you tell if grilled shrimp is done?
Check for the ‘C’. As shrimp cooks, it curves into the shape of a ‘C’. The flesh will turn opaque with a pearly pink hue, and the tails will turn bright red.
Can you cook Jumbo Shrimp on a grill?
Jumbo shrimp cooked on the grill with the shells on is a simple way to achieve the most flavorful, juicy shrimp you’ve ever tasted. Leaving the shell on while grilling helps keep moisture inside the shrimp, while also allowing the smoky, charred flavors from the grill to fully penetrate the shell and meat.
How long does it take to grill shrimp?
I did some research on grilling times for shrimp and tested methods to find the perfect timing. Here’s what I learned about how long it takes to grill shrimp, plus tips for ensuring tender, flavorful results every time. The total grill time for shrimp is 4-6 minutes for medium or large shrimp. Jumbo shrimp may take 6-8 minutes total.
How long do you cook Jumbo Shrimp?
For skewered jumbo shrimp, use direct heat for a 2-3 minute cook time per side. For larger shrimp in a grill basket, use indirect heat for about 5-7 minutes total, flipping halfway through. Cooking shrimp properly ensures they remain juicy and flavorful. Follow these general guidelines based on shrimp size: Tips:
Can you cook raw shrimp on a grill?
For grilling, raw shrimp works best. Pre-cooked shrimp often dries out and becomes rubbery on the grill. Choose raw shrimp that smells fresh, not fishy, with firm flesh. The shells should be shiny and clear, not murky or cracked. Whole shrimp will have the head, shell, tail, and legs still attached.
How long do you marinate shrimp before grilling?
Give your Shrimp Enough Time in the Marinade: You want your shrimp to absorb the flavor and the oil of the shrimp marinade, so allow at least 30 minutes and no more than 1 hour for your shrimp to marinade. How long to grill shrimp? Shrimp grills so incredibly fast compared to other grilled food like burgers, chicken, or even veggies.
How long does shrimp take to cook?
Shrimp are small and take very little time to cook. It all depends on the size of the shrimp that you use: Small to medium shrimp may only need 1 to 2 minutes per side, but large or jumbo shrimp may need 2 to 3 minutes per side. It’s quick either way, so don’t walk away from the grill!