Best Grilled Shrimp Recipe

This Grilled shrimp recipe dunked in lemon parsley butter has readers raving: โ€œThey were spectacular,โ€ โ€œLove this recipe! So flavorful. There were no leftovers!โ€ โ€œDelicious! Was a big hit at 4th of July party! This shrimp recipe is by far our favorite!โ€

This recipe is a back-pocket ace that utilizes pantry-friendly ingredients to create restaurant-quality shrimp in minutes, thanks to expert seasoning and grilling techniques. Follow along for step-by-step photos, how-to video, and tips to succulent perfection, including how to make this recipe on the grill, stove, or oven.

Watch: How to Grill Shrimp

top view of grilled shrimp skewers on a white plate with charred lemons


 

Why you’ll love Grilling Shrimp

As someone whoโ€™s grilled countless shrimp, I’ve experimented and perfected this recipe to bring you grilled shrimp that’s unabashedly flavorful, speedy, pantry-friendly, and requires minimal effort. WINNING! Here’s why you’ll love it:

  • Quick and easy. This speedy recipe only requires a 15-minute โ€œmarinadeโ€ and then just a 4-minute cook time! And bonus, no chopping any raw protein!
  • Flavorful. Even though this grilled shrimp is simple and easy to throw together, itโ€™s out of this world flavorful thanks to adept seasoning with hints of smoky, salty, and spicy all brightened by the luxurious, vibrant Lemon Parsley Butter.
  • Lemon Parsley Butter. Enough said.
  • Texture. I’ll walk you through how to grill shrimp perfectly to achieve a tantalizing charred, crisp outside with a succulent, tender, juicy inside.
  • Easy to double.  You can double or triple the recipe for entertaining, or purposeful leftovers or scale it in half for backyard barbecue date night.
  • Versatile. I’ve provided many options for serving, such as with rice, pasta, veggies, etc. OR serve them in salads, pasta wraps, grain bowls, etc.โ€”the possibilities are limitless!

How to prep shrimp

If you are new to cooking shrimp, here is some helpful information to prepare and cook shrimp perfectly every time, whether for this grilled shrimp recipe or any of my other fabulous shrimp recipes:

showing what to serve grilled shrimp recipe by placing a skewer over a glass bowl of lemon parsley butter
ingredient icon

GRILLED SHRIMP Ingredients

You will combine the shrimp with a “marinadeโ€ for 15-30 minutes. I use the term “marinade” loosely because you should not marinate the shrimp any longer because the seasonings will draw moisture out of the shrimp and make it dry, and the lemon juice can break down the delicate meat and make it mushy.

Let’s take a closer look at what you need (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  • Olive oil: Use quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. You may also use another favorite cooking oil.
  • Lemon juice: Use fresh or bottled, but fresh is best 😉.  I like to microwave my lemons for 30 seconds prior to juicing form maximum yield.  If you have excess lemon juice, you can freeze it by the 1 tablespoon in ice cubes – super handy!   
  • Spices:
  • Smoked paprika is rich, mild, sweet, and smoky.
  • Garlic powder is used instead of fresh so it doesn’t burn.
  • Onion powder adds onion notes without overwhelming the shrimp.
  • Dried basil is earthy, sweet and mild with hints of anise, cloves, pepper and citrus.
  • Dried oregano has a bold, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor with peppery and minty notes.
  • Cayenne pepper adds a kick to awaken the flavor profile.  If you want subtle kick, use ¼ teaspoon, if you want to really taste the heat, go ½ teaspoon.
  • Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. Use table salt are double the kosher salt.
showing how to garnish shrimp recipe by stacking grilled shrimp skewers on a white plate and garnishing with parsley and lemon slices

How to Grill Shrimp

Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

1. Soak wooden skewers.  Wooden skewers should be submerged in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. I prefer metal skewers because you donโ€™t have to plan; they never catch on fire and are reusable. Meanwhile:

2. Make lemon parsley butter.  Melt the butter in a small bowl.  Mix in lemon juice and parsley.  Add additional lemon juice if desired.  The butter will start solidifying slightly at room temperature, so reheat it in the microwave for 10 seconds or so before serving. 

3. Generously CLEAN grill before adding shrimp skewers.  Heat your grill to medium-high heat with the lid closed.  Once itโ€™s fully heated, clean it thoroughly with a wire grill brush.  A clean grill ensures direct contact with the heat, creating a beautiful sear and helping prevent sticking. 

4. Grease your grill with vegetable or canola along the grill grates.

5. Make grilled shrimp marinade.  Whisk the ingredients in a large bowl.  Add the shrimp and stir until evenly coated. Marinate for 15-30 minutes at room temperature (no more!). 

showing how to make grilled shrimp recipe by adding shrimp to a glass bowl and stirring to combine with marinade
  1. Make shrimp skewers. Thread the shrimp onto skewers by piercing just above the tail and again through the head so one shrimp is skewered in two places.  This prevents the shrimp from turning on the skewer so it’s easier to handle and so it cooks evenly.
showing how to make grilled shrimp recipe by skewering marinated shrimp on metal skewers then lining on a baking sheet
  1. Grill shrimp. Evenly space skewers on the clean grill and cook for 2 minutes per side or until the shrimp are goldenโ€”no more! Remove the grilled shrimp to a plate.
  2. Serve.  To serve, dip shrimp in Lemon Parsley Butter or remove shrimp form the skewers, drizzle on the butter and toss to combine.   Serve with additional fresh lemon wedges.
showing how to make grilled shrimp recipe by combing melted butter with lemon and parsley and serving with shrimp
a stack of lightly charred grilled shrimp skewers on a white plate garnished by parsley

Grilled Shrimp Recipe Tips

  • Purchase prepared shrimp.  Use shrimp that is already shelled and deveined which saves you TONS of prep time.
  • Use large shrimp.  Using large shrimp is an insurance policy for juicy shrimp.  It is slightly more forgiving when overcooked than smaller shrimp.
  • Pat shrimp dry. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels before marinating so the marinade can evenly cling to the shrimp and you can achieve that coveted char. 
  • Donโ€™t overmarinate shrimp.  Donโ€™t marinate the shrimp longer than 30 minutes or it wonโ€™t be as juicy.
  • Donโ€™t over-cook shrimp.  Cook shrimp just until opaque for the juiciest shrimp- donโ€™t be tempted to cook them a second longer!
  • Scale recipe.  If youโ€™re cooking just for two or for small eaters, this grilled shrimp recipe is easy to cut in half. The grilling instructions remain the same.

Grilled Shrimp Variations

These grilles shrimp skewers are delicious as written or they are easy to customize.  Here are a few ideas:

  • Spice it up.  To make the grilled shrimp spicier, add ยฝ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or swap one teaspoon of chipotle chili powder.
  • Swap seasoning. the lemon juice for lime juice. 
  • Add sausage.  Add fully cooked chicken sausage to the skewers because they just need to warm through.  You donโ€™t want to use another protein because they wonโ€™t cook in the same amount of time as the shrimp.  
  • Add potatoes.  Use starchy potatoes such as baby red potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes and chop them into 1 ยฝ-inch chunks.  Steam them in a microwave-safe dish with a tight-fitting lid and three tablespoons of water for approximately 5 minutes or until the fork is tender.  Drain the water, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Skewer with the raw shrimp and cook per recipe instructions. 
  • Add bell peppers.  Use two bell peppers (any color) chopped into 1 ยฝ-inch pieces.  Drizzle with olive oil and skewer along with raw shrimp.
  • Zucchini. Use one large zucchini or two smaller zucchini.  Slice the zucchini on the thick side, 1/4-1/2-inch thick.  Drizzle with olive oil and skewer along with raw shrimp.
  • Tomatoes.  Drizzle grape or cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper and skewer along with raw shrimp.
  • Add pineapple.  Skewer fresh pineapple along with the shrimp.
showing how to serve grilled shrimp skewers by placing skewer on a bowl of melted butter  to dip in

HOW TO SERVE GRILLED SHRIMP

This grilled shrimp recipe can be served plain with any of the aforementioned sides or it can be served in pasta, salads or wraps.  Here are a few ideas but donโ€™t let this limit your imagination!   

Warm Dishes

  • Pasta.  Toss it with pasta, such as angel hair or spaghetti, and hot melted butter. If youโ€™re feeling a little fancier, it also is AMAZING with Cacio e Pepe (highly recommend), Sun-Dried Tomato Fettuccine, or Fettuccine Alfredo.  
  • Mac and Cheese:  Stir shrimp into your favorite Mac and Cheese recipe at the end of cooking.
  • Risotto: Stir into any of your favorite risotto recipes:  Mushroom RisottoParmesan RisottoSpinach Risotto โ€“ yum!
  • Soups.  Add it to your favorite soups at the end of cooking.
  • Pizza.  Top your favorite pizza dough with marinara or Alfredo followed by cheese, peppers, shrimp, etc.  You can also make shortcut pizza using French bread or mini pizzas using bagels.
  • Scrambled eggs or omelets. Chop up shrimp, then add scrambled eggs and mozzarella cheese when the eggs are almost set.
  • Frittata. Add chopped shrimp to this scrumptious frittata recipe.
  • Grain Bowls:  Add your favorite grains to a bowl and pile with grilled shrimp and your favorite veggies. The veggies can be roasted/cooked or raw such as fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, sprouts etc.

Cold Dishes

  • Salad: Pick your favorite greens and load them with grilled shrimp and your favorite veggies, such as sweet grilled corn and peppers.  Throw in some nuts for crunch, buttery cheese and drizzle with Italian dressing.
  • You can also add shrimp to any of your favorite salads such as Corn Salad or Green Bean Salad or swap it for the chicken in my Cobb Salad, or Buffalo Chicken Salad.
  • Pasta salad.  Toss with cold pasta or tortellini along with additional olive oil or Italian dressing.
  • Greens.  Keep it extra healthy by serving grilled shrimp over sautรฉed or fresh spinach or any of your favorite greens.   Top with a fried or soft-boiled egg.
  • Frittata. Add chopped shrimp to this scrumptious frittata recipe.
  • Wraps:  Serve grilled shrimp in a flatbread with lettuce, veggies and any desired toppings.
  • Lettuce wraps: Go low carb and load bib lettuce leaves with grilled shrimp and veggies.

faqs

How many people will this Grilled shrimp recipe serve?ย 

As a general rule of thumb, a quarter pound of shrimp per person is considered acceptable, so this grilled shrimp recipe will serve 4 people, which comes out to roughly 10 pieces of shrimp per person.ย  Of courses, youโ€™ll want to take into consideration who you are serving (large eaters/small eaters/children) and what else you are serving with the grilled shrimp skewers such as other grilled proteins or a feast of side dishes and adjust accordingly.

IS SHRIMP HEALTHY?

Grilled Shrimp is one of the healthiest ways to consume shrimp because it doesn’t cook in any butter and there is minimal oil in the marinade.
Shrimp is low in calories, contains zero carbs and provides a high amount of protein and healthy fats.ย  It is also an excellent source of iodine, an important mineral required for proper thyroid function and brain health as well as selenium, a mineral that may help reduce inflammation and promote heart health.ย 
Shrimp is also a good source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids as well as the antioxidant astaxanthin, all of which promote heart health. ย ย It is also high in other nutrients, for example, four ounces of shrimp contains over 75% of the daily value for vitamin B12, over 50% for phosphorous, and over 30% for choline and copper, as well as phosphorus, niacin, zinc, and magnesium.

What is the best way to grill shrimp?

Theย best way to grill shrimpย is to toss the shrimp in a marinade with olive oil, a splash of lemon juice, and dried herbs.ย  Let the shrimp rest for 15 minutes to soak up the flavor.ย  Next, skewer the shrimp and grill just until opaque, about 2 minutes per side. For detailed step by step instructions, see my section below.

WHAT SHRIMP to BUY FOR GRILLED SHRIMP SKEWERS?

You can purchase fresh or frozen raw shrimp for these grilled skewers.ย  Hereโ€™s what to look for:

โ€ข Purchase wild-caught shrimp.ย ย It has a superior flavor and texture than farm-raised.
โ€ข Purchase raw, deveined shrimp. Buying prepared shrimp saves you tons of time and makes your job a snap. All you have to do is defrost the shrimp.ย 
โ€ข Frozen shrimp is awesome!ย  It is frozen shortly after itโ€™s caught, which means itโ€™s frozen at peak freshness.ย  Frozen shrimp is also more economical than fresh, so you can keep it stocked and ready to use anytime.ย 

WHAT SIZE SHRIMP SHOULD I BUY?

Purchase large shrimp. ย Use large shrimp, 21-25 count (which means there are 21-25 shrimp in a pound), so your shrimp donโ€™t easily overcook and you achieve the juiciest shrimp with the most appealing texture.ย  ย This is especially important when grilling shrimp because they can go from juicy to dry very quickly.ย  Large shrimp are slightly more forgiving.

Can I grill cooked shrimp?

Youย can grill cooked shrimp but I donโ€™t recommend it because it wonโ€™t be as juicy.ย  Essentially grilling cooked shrimp is warming up already cooked shrimp.ย  Raw shrimp already cooks super quickly, so cooked shrimp will require even less time so you are at a high risk of drying out the shrimp.

showing how to serve grilled shrimp recipe by dipping a piece of shrimp into lemon butter

WANT TO TRY THIS RECIPE?

PIN IT to your recipe BOARD TO SAVE FOR LATER!

FIND ME ON PINTEREST FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES!  I AM ALWAYS PINNING :)!

ยฉCarlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com

Grilled Shrimp Recipe

This Grilled Shrimp recipe is a back-pocket ace that utilizes pantry-friendly ingredients to create restaurant-quality shrimp in minutes with Lemon Parsley Butter! This simple grilled shrimp recipe can also be cooked on the stove or in the oven (all instructions included) and it can be served with practically anything! Serve it plain as an appetizer or with potato, salad, fruit salad and cornbread for the perfect summer meal.
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Total Time: 25 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Save This Recipe To Your Recipe Box

You can now create an account on our site and save your favorite recipes all in one place!

Ingredients

Shrimp & Marinade

  • 2 pounds large shrimp (21-25 ct) peeled, deveined patted dry
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 1/2 tsp EACH onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil
  • 1 tsp EACH salt, pepper
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Lemon Parsley Butter (optional)

  • 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  • If using wooden skewers, soak them for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make Lemon Parsley Butter by melting butter in a small bowl. Mix in lemon juice and parsley. Add additional lemon juice if desired. Reheat in the microwave for 10 seconds or so just prior to serving (watch closely so the butter doesnโ€™t explode!).
  • Whisk the marinade ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the shrimp and stir until evenly coated. Marinate for 15-30 minutes at room temperature (no more!).
  • Heat the grill over medium-high heat (400 degrees F): clean grates and grease with vegetable oil. Meanwhile, thread the shrimp onto skewers.
  • Evenly space skewers on the hot grill and cook for 2 minutes per side or until shrimp are golden. Remove from grill to a plate.
  • To serve, dip shrimp in Lemon Parsley Butter or remove shrimp from the skewers, drizzle with butter, and toss to combine. Serve with additional fresh lemon wedges.

Video

Notes

Don’t miss the “how to make” recipe video at the top of the post!

HOW TO COOK SHRIMP IN THE OVEN

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
  • Line shrimp in a single layer so it isnโ€™t touching.
  • Roast for 6 to 8 minutes or opaque.

HOW TO COOK SHRIMP ON THE STOVE

  • Heat one tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat in a large cast iron skillet.
  • Working in batches, add shrimp in a single layer and cook approximately 3 minutes per side, or just until opaque and cooked through.

HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT

  • Storage:ย  Shrimp should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.ย  When properly stored, it is good for up to three days.
  • Microwave:ย  Microwave for 30 seconds, then continue to heat at 20 second intervals until warmed through.
  • Stove:ย  For larger portions, reheat gently on the stove just until warmed through.ย  The key is toย warmย the shrimp and not cook the shrimp any further.

TIPS AND TRICKS

  • Shrimp 101.ย  See the post for how to choose shrimp, devein shrimp, shell shrimp, etc.ย ย 
  • Purchase prepared shrimp.ย  Use shrimp that is already shelled and deveined which saves you TONS of prep time.
  • Use large shrimp.ย  Using large shrimp is an insurance policy for juicy shrimp.ย  It is slightly more forgiving when overcooked than smaller shrimp.
  • Pat shrimp dry. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels before marinating so the marinade can evenly cling to the shrimp and you can achieve that coveted char.ย 
  • Donโ€™t overmarinate shrimp.ย  Donโ€™t marinate the shrimp longer than 30 minutes or it wonโ€™t be as juicy.
  • Donโ€™t over-cook shrimp.ย ย Cook shrimp just until opaque for the juiciest shrimp- donโ€™t be tempted to cook them a second longer!
  • Scale recipe.ย  If youโ€™re cooking just for two or for small eaters, this grilled shrimp recipe is easy to cut in half. The grilling instructions remain the same.
  • Recipe variations.ย  See post for TONS of ways to serve grilled shrimp from in pasta to salads to on pizza and potatoes!

Did You Make This Recipe?

Tag @CarlsbadCravings and Use #CarlsbadCravngs

Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!

Carlsbad Cravingsยฉ Original

Reader Interactions

leave a review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

16 Comments

  1. Connie says

    I am definitely going to try this! I love your recipes. I love that you spend so much time detailing preps, options and more. Thank you!

    • Jen says

      I’m excited for you to try it Connie! Thank you for your words – I’m so glad you find my detailed posts helpful!

  2. Debbie Block says

    Delicious! Was a big hit at 4th of July party! This shrimp recipe is by far our favorite! I think it will be delicious over pasta too!

    • Jen says

      Thanks for being the first to review this grilled shrimp recipe Debbie! I’m honored it’s a new favorite!

  3. John K Rutherford says

    I made these grilled shrimp yesterday for our Independence Day celebration. They were spectacular. I almost got them too spicy with the cayenne, but as it turned out they were just perfect. Don’t forget the dipping sauce either. It’s simple, easy and adds nice touch of richness and acid to the finished dish. I’m looking forward to the leftover shrimp in a pasta salad today. Thanks so much for the recipe. I will definitely make this again.

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much for leaving a review John! I’m so happy to hear the shrimp were such a winner and I love the sound of your leftovers!

  4. Jill says

    Loved the shrimp! So flavorful and delicious. Will definitely make these again.

    • Jen says

      YAY! Thanks so much Jill! I’m so happy to hear they will be a repeat!

  5. Anne says

    Shrimp was good, added zucchini, bell peppers and potatoes following recipe suggestions. Potatoes and peppers fine but zucchini did not cook as fast as shrimp which meant I overcooked the shrimp. Was a bit too salty for me (and I like salty things!) so Iโ€™d cut the salt next time. Family were all happy, served with butternut squash risotto (from a mix) and corn on the cob

    • Jen says

      Thanks for taking the time to comment Anne! Your entire meal sounds fantastic!

  6. Leigh says

    I just wanted to thank you for sharing your culinary talents with us. You are amazing as are your dishes. Thank you again! God bless, jlg

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much for your kind comment Leigh! God bless you and yours! xo

  7. [email protected] says

    Very good; however, I think I would leave the cayenne pepper out. I only did 1 teaspoon and it was SO spicy. Served with a sweet potato which seemed to help cut the spicy down some. Will make again!

    • Jen says

      I bet that was spicy! The recipe says to use 1-4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper not 1 teaspoon.

  8. Michelle says

    Love this recipe! So flavorful. We ran out of parsley for the butter so we added 1 tsp of Italian seasoning instead. There were no leftovers!

    • Jen says

      I love hearing everyone cleaned their plates, thanks Michelle!