Perfect Griddle Shrimp: A No-Fail Guide to Juicy, Flavorful Results Every Time

Hey there! I’m a huge fan of cooking seafood, and today I wanna share my absolute favorite way to cook shrimp – right on the griddle! After years of experimenting and some epic fails (yeah, we’ve all had those rubbery shrimp moments), I’ve finally nailed down the perfect technique for griddled shrimp that’s juicy, flavorful, and takes less than 10 minutes to make.

Why Choose Griddle Cooking for Shrimp?

Let me tell ya why the griddle is your best friend when it comes to cooking shrimp:

• Even heat distribution = perfectly cooked shrimp
• Quick cooking time (less than 5 minutes!)
• Amazing sear and char flavor
• Perfect for cooking large batches
• Easy to add flavors and seasonings

Picking the Right Shrimp

Before we fire up that griddle, let’s talk about choosing the right shrimp:

Best Types for Griddling:

• Raw, uncooked shrimp (never pre-cooked!)
• Large or jumbo size (easier to manage)
• Fresh when possible, but frozen works too
• Shell-on or peeled (your choice)
• Deveined preferred

Pro Tip:

If using frozen shrimp, thaw them overnight in the fridge – never at room temperature! And pat them super dry before cooking or they’ll steam instead of sear.

Essential Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need

• Flat top griddle or plancha
• Metal spatula or tongs
• Paper towels
• Instant-read thermometer (optional)
• Oil or butter for cooking
• Seasoning of choice

Basic Griddle Shrimp Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2-3 tablespoons oil or butter
• 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Prep Your Shrimp

   • Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels
   • Season with salt and pepper
   • Let sit at room temp for 10 minutes

2. Heat Your Griddle

   • Preheat to medium-high (350-400°F)
   • Add oil or butter
   • Wait till surface is nice and hot

3. Cook Those Bad Boys

   • Place shrimp on griddle (don’t crowd!)
   • Cook 2 mins first side
   • Flip and cook 1-2 mins second side
   • Look for pink color and slight char

4. Final Touches

   • Add minced garlic last minute
   • Squeeze fresh lemon juice
   • Remove when just opaque

My Favorite Seasoning Variations

I love experimenting with different flavors! Here are some killer combos:

Cajun Style:

• Cajun seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Cayenne (if ya like it hot!)

Garlic Lemon:

• Minced garlic
• Lemon zest
• Butter
• Fresh parsley

Asian Inspired:

• Soy sauce
• Ginger
• Sesame oil
• Green onions

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Trust me, I’ve made all these mistakes so you don’t have to:

1. Overcrowding the griddle – gives you steamed instead of seared shrimp
2. Overcooking – nobody likes rubber bands for dinner
3. Not drying shrimp properly – prevents good searing
4. Wrong temperature – too low = soggy, too high = burnt

Storage and Leftovers

Got leftovers? Here’s what to do:

• Store in airtight container
• Keep refrigerated up to 3 days
• Avoid microwave reheating (makes ’em tough)
• Best reheated quickly on griddle or in air fryer

Tips for Perfect Results

1. Don’t flip too early – wait for that nice sear
2. Keep shrimp in a single layer
3. Cook in batches if needed
4. Remove just before fully done (they’ll continue cooking)
5. Have all ingredients ready before starting

Serving Suggestions

Here’s how I love serving my griddle shrimp:

• Over rice or pasta
• In tacos or fajitas
• As an appetizer with dipping sauce
• In salads
• With grilled veggies

Wrap-Up

There ya have it – everything you need to know about cooking perfect shrimp on a griddle! Remember, practice makes perfect, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and flavors. The key is high heat, dry shrimp, and careful timing.

Got questions? Drop ’em in the comments below! And don’t forget to share your own griddle shrimp success stories – I’d love to hear how yours turned out!

Happy griddling!

#cooking #seafood #griddlecooking #shrimp #easyrecipes

For cooking shrimp, using a combination of butter and oil is often recommended. Butter adds a rich flavor, while oil helps prevent burning and allows the shrimp to cook evenly.

Shrimp cooks quickly on a flat top, typically requiring only 2-3 minutes per side over medium-high heat. The shrimp should turn pink and opaque when cooked through.