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    Home » Seafood Recipes » Grilled Shrimp

    Grilled Shrimp

    Last updated: Jan 26, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

    Jump to Recipe Card

    Preparing shrimp on the grill is one of the easiest methods of cooking them. From start to finish, this recipe takes about 20 minutes to make!

    Simply coat the shrimp with olive oil and spices, thread them on skewers, and cook them for a total of six minutes.

    Grilled shrimp skewers on a white plate with a white napkin.

    Shrimp are so delicious. I make them often for my family, and I have many ways of prepping them, including shrimp scampi, baked shrimp, and broiled shrimp.

    Grilling shrimp is one of the easiest and fastest ways of making them. And I love that you don't need to marinate the shrimp before cooking. Simply coat them in olive oil and spices, thread them on skewers, and grill.

    Shrimp are small, so they're ready fast, making them the ideal dish to make for a weeknight dinner.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tips
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few ingredients to make this tasty shrimp recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    • Raw shrimp: I use large peeled and deveined shrimp in this recipe. I wouldn't use small ones for grilling. Extra-large will work too, although they might need to stay slightly longer on the grill.
    • Olive oil: I love this oil and use it frequently when I cook. It does have a low smoke point, so you can certainly use avocado oil instead.
    • To season: I like to use Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. I prefer garlic powder to fresh minced garlic in this recipe because it more uniformly coats the shrimp and it doesn't burn as easily.
    The ingredients needed for cooking shrimp on the grill.

    Instructions

    Cooking shrimp on the grill is easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

    • You start by placing the shrimp in a large bowl.
    • Now, add the olive oil, Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Toss to coat.
    • Thread the shrimp on skewers.
    • Grill until opaque and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side over medium-high heat.
    A six-photo collage showing the steps for grilling shrimp.

    Expert tips

    1. Since shrimp are so small and delicate, your top priority as a cook is to avoid overcooking them. Obviously, you want them fully cooked. But do take them off the grill the moment they're no longer translucent.
    2. It's always a good idea to try and grill food without charring it, or at the very least try to minimize charring. To prevent the shrimp from charring, keep a close eye on them. You can also grill them over medium heat instead of medium-high and grill for a little longer if needed.
    3. You can use an outdoor grill, an indoor dual-contact electric grill, or a grill pan. Whatever works for you.

    Frequently asked questions

    How long do you grill shrimp?

    Not long! You only need to grill them for about 3 minutes on each side over medium-high heat.

    Can I use frozen shrimp?

    No, because you won't be able to thread them on skewers. But you can quickly defrost them by placing them in a large bowl, filling it with cool water, and replacing the water a few times.

    Should I soak wooden skewers?

    Probably. Wooden skewers can burn over a hot grill. Soaking them in water is not a foolproof method, but some say it helps prevent them from burning.

    I actually almost never use wooden skewers these days - I prefer metal ones. Although the issue with those is that they get super hot so you need to handle them with gloves.

    Should I marinate the shrimp?

    I like to dress the shrimp with a simple dressing of olive oil, salt, pepper, and spices. I don't marinate them prior to grilling. They are delicious when simply tossed in the marinade, then immediately grilled.

    Variations

    I love this recipe as is and almost always make it as written. But in case you'd like to vary the basic recipe, here are a few ideas for you:

    • Use melted butter instead of olive oil.
    • Try different spices, such as onion powder and chili powder.
    • Omit the smoked paprika. When the shrimp are done, sprinkle them with dry-grated parmesan cheese.

    Serving suggestions

    These tasty shrimp go with so many side dishes. Since I usually make them in the summer, I like to serve them with any of the following sides:

    • Tomato salad
    • Creamy cucumber salad
    • Asparagus salad
    • Broiled tomatoes

    Storing leftovers

    You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for up to 3 days. I like to use them cold in a shrimp salad for my lunch the next day. But you can also reheat them gently, in the microwave on 50% power.

    Grilled shrimp threaded on skewers, served on a white plate.

    Related recipes

    • Pesto Shrimp
    • Sesame Shrimp
    • Boiled Shrimp
    • Shrimp Salad

    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or an updated recipe once a week. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe card

    Grilled Shrimp.
    4.98 from 242 votes
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    Easy Grilled Shrimp

    Grilling shrimp is easy! Simply coat them with a delicious sauce, thread them on skewers, and grill for a total of six minutes.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time6 mins
    Total Time16 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 3 servings
    Calories: 322kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw

    INGREDIENTS

    • 1 ½ lb. large raw shrimp peeled and deveined
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt (not fine salt)
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Heat your grill on medium-high.
    • Place the shrimp in a large bowl.
    • Add the olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne.
    • Thread the shrimp on six skewers, about 8 shrimp per skewer.
    • Grill the shrimp until opaque, about 3 minutes on each side. If using a dual-contact grill, 5 minutes total should do it. Serve immediately.

    WATCH THE VIDEO:

    NOTES

    Since shrimp are so small and delicate, your top priority as a cook is to avoid overcooking them. Obviously, you want them fully cooked. But do take them off the grill the moment they're no longer translucent.
    It's always a good idea to try and grill food without charring it, or at the very least try to minimize charring. To prevent the shrimp from charring, keep a close eye on them. You can also grill them over medium heat instead of medium-high and grill for a little longer if needed.
    If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes before using them. 

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    DISCLAIMERSMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    NUTRITION PER SERVING

    Calories: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 522mg
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    More Keto Seafood Recipes

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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered Deleeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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