Hey there seafood lovers! Today I’m gonna share everything I know about marinating shrimp After years of experimenting in my kitchen and countless shrimp dinners later, I’ve figured out the perfect marinades that’ll make your shrimp absolutely delicious Let’s dive right in!
Why Marinate Shrimp?
Before we jump into the recipes, let’s talk about why marinating shrimp is totally worth your time:
- Enhances natural sweetness of shrimp
- Adds depth of flavor
- Keeps shrimp tender and juicy
- Makes your dish more interesting
- Takes just 30-60 minutes (quick and easy!)
The Perfect Marinade Time
Here’s something super important y’all need to know – don’t over-marinate your shrimp!
- Minimum time: 30 minutes
- Ideal time: 1 hour
- Maximum time: 2 hours
- Never marinate overnight (shrimp will get mushy – trust me, I learned this the hard way!)
Our Favorite Basic Shrimp Marinade Recipe
This is my go-to marinade that never fails to impress
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove (grated)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
5 Amazing Marinade Variations
1. Coconut Lime Marinade
- Coconut milk
- Lime juice
- Ginger (grated)
- Garlic
- Salt & pepper
2. Spicy Chipotle
- Chipotle in adobo
- Lime juice
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Honey
- Salt
3. Ginger-Soy-Lime
- Soy sauce
- Fresh ginger
- Lime juice
- Sesame oil
- Brown sugar
4. Mediterranean Style
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Fresh herbs (oregano, thyme)
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
5. Old Bay Classic
- Old Bay seasoning
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Parsley
Pro Tips for Marinating Success
-
Use the right shrimp:
- Choose medium to large shrimp
- Always get deveined
- Tail-on works best
- Avoid shell-on (marinade can’t penetrate)
-
Prep your shrimp properly:
- Thaw completely if frozen
- Pat dry before marinating
- Remove shells (except tail if desired)
- Keep tails for prettier presentation
-
Container matters:
- Use glass or plastic bowls
- Avoid metal containers
- Make sure shrimp is fully covered
- Keep refrigerated while marinating
What to Do with Leftover Marinade
Don’t throw away that yummy marinade! Here’s what I do:
- Pour marinade into small saucepan
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes (kills any bacteria)
- Use as a sauce for:
- Brushing on shrimp while cooking
- Drizzling over finished dish
- Dipping sauce
Safety note: Never reuse marinade without boiling it first!
Cooking Methods for Marinated Shrimp
Your marinated shrimp will work great with any of these cooking methods:
Grilling
- Preheat grill to medium-high
- Thread on skewers
- Grill 2-3 minutes per side
- Perfect for summer!
Broiling
- Place on lined baking sheet
- Broil 2 minutes per side
- Quick and easy method
Sautéing
- Heat pan over medium-high
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side
- Great for year-round cooking
Baking
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Bake 8-10 minutes
- Good for larger batches
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Over-marinating (shrimp gets mushy)
- Using metallic bowls (can react with acidic ingredients)
- Not patting shrimp dry before cooking
- Overcooking (shrimp gets tough)
- Using too much acid in marinade
FAQs About Marinating Shrimp
Q: Can I marinate frozen shrimp?
A: Nope! Always thaw first for best results.
Q: Should I remove shells before marinating?
A: Yes! Marinade can’t penetrate shells effectively.
Q: Can I make marinade ahead?
A: Sure! Mix and store in fridge up to 3 days.
Perfect Pairings for Your Marinated Shrimp
Make your meal complete with these awesome sides:
- Grilled vegetables
- Coconut rice
- Fresh salad
- Crusty bread
- Pasta
- Quinoa
Wrapping It Up
There ya have it – everything you need to know about marinating shrimp! Remember, the key is not to overthink it. Just stick to the basic principles:
- Don’t over-marinate
- Keep it simple
- Use fresh ingredients
- Cook with care
Now get in that kitchen and start marinating! And hey, if you try any of these recipes, lemme know how they turn out. I’d love to hear your shrimp success stories!
Happy cooking, seafood lovers!
#seafood #cooking #recipes #shrimp #marinade
How to Make Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- ▢ 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- ▢ 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ▢ 1 teaspoon oregano
- ▢ ½ teaspoon paprika
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ Chopped parsley for serving
- ▢ Lemon slices for serving
- Place the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, oregano, paprika and garlic powder in a large bowl; whisk to combine.
- Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss gently to coat evenly with the marinade. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours max.
- Skewer 4-6 shrimp on each soaked skewer and place on a plate while skewering the remaining shrimp.
- Heat a grill or grill pan over medium high heat and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until the color is pink and shrimp is opaque.
- Serve warm with fresh parsley and lemon slices, if desired.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
If you try this Grilled Shrimp recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe.
- Don’t marinate the shrimp for longer than 2 hours. The acid from the lemon juice can actually cook the shrimp without any heat needed, which is what happens with a long marinade time.
- Broil the shrimp in the oven if you don’t have a grill. Once the broiler is preheated, place the shrimp skewers on a sheet pan coated with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. Broil for 2-3 minutes, then flip and broil for another 2-3 minutes; watching it closely so it doesn’t over-cook.
- Peel and devein the shrimp before you marinade them. Otherwise all the marinade will be on the outside of the shrimp only. I prefer to leave the tails on, but you can remove them if you like.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cook super fast, and only need 2 to 3 minutes each side. If you overcook them, they lose their juiciness and become rubbery. Th shrimp skewers are cooked when they turn an opaque pink, they are overcooked if they start to curl up.
Since you’re throwing the shrimp skewers on the grill, I recommend some other grilled options or an easy salad to go on the side. Here are some great options!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet with a little olive oil.
Yes, you can freeze grilled shrimp and store for up to 3 months. Make sure to cool the shrimp completely before freezing, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag.
Skewering the shrimp is the easiest way to cook them on the grill. They won’t fall between the grates and it means that you can turn them all at the same time so that they cook evenly. You can use either metal or wooden skewers, if you use wooden, soak them in water for an hour before grilling so they don’t burn.
