13 Grilled Shrimp Recipes to Get a High-Protein Meal on the Table Fast (2024)

It takes a mere 5 to 7 minutes to cook most grilled shrimp recipes. Yes, seriously! That means grilled shrimp skewers, grilled shrimp tacos, grilled shrimp scampi, and more can be yours to savor quicker than delivery can arrive at your doorstep. Score some serious inspiration via the best grilled shrimp recipes created in our Test Kitchen.

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Shrimp Tacos with Lime Slaw

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13 Grilled Shrimp Recipes to Get a High-Protein Meal on the Table Fast (1)

A garlicky spice rub adds bold flavor to this grilled shrimp taco recipe, while lime slaw with red cabbage lends a satisfying crunch factor. Top off the tacos with chipotle pepper-spiked sour cream and fresh cilantro, then watch them fly off the plate. "This was excellent," raves one BH&G home cook. "The flavor of the chipotle pepper was a perfect match for this dish."

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Paleo Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi Bowls

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13 Grilled Shrimp Recipes to Get a High-Protein Meal on the Table Fast (2)

Savor all the flavor of your favorite bistro's grilled shrimp scampi—minus all of the gluten and a decent chunk of the calories and carbs. We know this sounds too good to be true, but it's possible thanks to the magic of spaghetti squash. As you prepare the grilled garlic shrimp recipe, roast two seasoned spaghetti squash halves on a sheet pan in the oven. Then simply use a fork to make "noodles" (or should we say "squoodles"?) and pile the smoky, tasty protein on top.

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Grilled Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers

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Craving an island escape but not the hefty cost of a flight or hassle of packing a bag? Take your taste buds on a trip, at least, via this easy 30-minute meal. A simple orange marmalade-soy sauce marinade puts a savory-sweet twist on the grilled shrimp kabobs. Grilled pineapple and a side of cilantro rice help complete this perfect summer supper.

Test Kitchen Tip: Soak wooden skewers in enough water to cover for at least 1 hour before using.

Passion Fruit Shrimp and Scallop Skewers

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13 Grilled Shrimp Recipes to Get a High-Protein Meal on the Table Fast (4)

Perk up your table with a stack of grilled shrimp skewers, grilled scallop skewers, and tropical-inspired fruit salad skewers. Passionfruit pulp (look for this in cans or cartons) infuses the seafood with unexpected complexity and welcome sweetness to balance out the crushed red pepper flakes in the mix. Ready after just 25 minutes of hands-on time, this recipe makes a stellar summer supper once you pair the kabobs with cooked rice, quinoa, or flatbread.

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Grilled Shrimp Panzanella

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A classic Italian salad morphs into a main dish, thanks to the addition of grilled shrimp and grilled summer vegetables. Drizzle the well-balanced, hearty yet healthy grilled shrimp salad with a light vinaigrette, then grab a fork and dive in.

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Shrimp Skewers with Aji Verde

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Like hot sauce and pesto? Then chances are you'll dig aji verde. Our riff on the zippy, creamy-yet-spicy sauce features peppers, fresh cilantro, fresh parsley, sour cream, and oil, all of which make a delightful dunker for this easy, spicy grilled shrimp recipe.

How to Cook Shrimp to Tender Perfection

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Grilled Chiles Rellenos with Mango Mojo Shrimp and Corn and Tomato Salad

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While you're sizzling up the grilled garlic shrimp for this Mexican main dish, toss a few cheese-stuffed poblanos on the grill, too. Pair all of the above with a grilled corn and tomato salad for a restaurant-quality entrée that will have everyone asking for seconds. With two veggie-focused sides, this chiles rellenos dish is a scrumptious and filling way to stretch four satisfying servings out of just 12 ounces of shrimp.

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Tequila Shrimp "Nachos"

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Grill shrimp—then combine the seafood with fresh heirloom tomatoes and spicy jalapeños—to nudge these nachos off the beaten path. (And we shouldn't glaze over the fact that this summer grilled shrimp recipe is marinated in tequila and lime prior to going on the grill.) Serve with warm tortilla chips for a dish to kick off your next cookout.

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Grilled Drunken Shrimp and Scallop Skewers

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Start this quick and easy grilled shrimp recipe by marinating the shrimp and scallops in a zippy tequila-lime mixture. Then all that's left to do is sizzle them to chargrilled perfection. Pair with crunchy jicama-avocado slaw for a delightfully fresh meal.

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Shrimp Boil on a Stick

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Host a classic shrimp boil without all the prep and mess. The kabob format makes it a breeze to capture major summer flavors, such as sweet corn and tender new potatoes, all in one handheld package.

Test Kitchen Tip: Boil the potatoes for just a few minutes prior to threading on the skewers with the sausage, corn, and seafood to ensure all portions of this summer grilled shrimp recipe cook at the same rate.

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Chili-Lime Grilled Tiger Shrimp with Avocado co*cktail Sauce

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Take shrimp co*cktail south of the border with this easy grilled shrimp recipe. Habanero chili sauce heats up the shrimp portion of this bold snack that will win raves at your next barbecue. A splash of lime juice and our avocado co*cktail sauce balance the smoky flavor of the shrimp coating.

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Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

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You're just six ingredients away from this semi-homemade BBQ grilled shrimp recipe that is one of our go-to warm weather lunches. (And one we turn to in the middle of winter when we're craving those sunny days.) Stack pineapple, shrimp, and two colors of peppers on soaked skewers, brush with your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce, and grill for just 6 to 10 minutes to finish.

Test Kitchen Tip: Double the kabob portion size per person and serve with a cooked whole grain to push this grilled shrimp recipe into dinner territory.

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Grilled Red Pepper Dip with Shrimp

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13 Grilled Shrimp Recipes to Get a High-Protein Meal on the Table Fast (13)

When preparing grilled shrimp, sometimes it pays to leave the tails intact. This is especially true if the seafood will be served as finger food. Here, the tails stand in for mini handles as your guests dunk the shrimp into the zesty Red Pepper Dip (which also tastes incredible with grilled chicken or steak bites).

13 Grilled Shrimp Recipes to Get a High-Protein Meal on the Table Fast (2024)

FAQs

How to cook shrimp like a restaurant? ›

  1. Heat the oven to 450°F.
  2. On a half sheet pan, toss the shrimp, salt, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  3. Roast for 7 to 9 minutes, until pink and just cooked through. Remove from the oven, add the butter, and toss the shrimp until coated. Spritz with fresh lemon juice.
Dec 10, 2021

How to cook shrimp in bulk? ›

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).

How long to cook shrimp on high? ›

Add 8 cups water and bring to a boil over med/high heat. 2. Once water boils, add the peeled and deveined shrimp and simmer until pink, about 2-3 minutes depending on the size of the shrimp. Drain and transfer cooked shrimp to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and let cool.

How long to grill shrimp on high heat? ›

How Long Does Shrimp Take to Grill? At 350 degrees Fahrenheit, shrimp take 5 to 7 minutes total grilling time. That means about 2 to 3 minutes per side. You'll be able to tell when your shrimp are done cooking because they will turn opaque and pink.

How many shrimp per person? ›

Buying Tips for Shrimp

The rule of thumb when you are buying shrimp is that you should get 1 pound of raw and unpeeled shrimp per person or, if you are buying it cooked and peeled, 1/2 -1/3 pound per person. The number of shrimp per pound will vary by the size of shrimp.

How many large shrimp per person for dinner? ›

The recommended shrimp serving per an average person is three ounces. This translates to 11-12 "medium" shrimp, 8-9 "large" shrimp, or just 3 "colossal" shrimp.

What not to do when cooking shrimp? ›

  1. Mistake #1: Buying Shrimp With the Heads Still On.
  2. Mistake #2: Not Deveining Your Shrimp.
  3. Mistake #3: Thawing Improperly.
  4. Mistake #4: Overcooking.
  5. Mistake #5: Throwing Away the Shells.

Should you grill shrimp with the lid open or closed? ›

They will cook through in less than 2 minutes, so it's a race to develop a nice exterior char as quickly as you can. For grills (charcoal, propane, etc), you will want to pre-heat with the lid down to get the metal grill grate really hot. Then open the lid and cook the shrimp over high heat with the lid up.

Are you supposed to rinse shrimp? ›

How can I avoid a fishy taste in my shrimp dishes? Purchase fresh shrimp and cook them soon after buying. Rinse shrimp properly under cold water to remove any dirt and pat them dry before cooking to reduce any lingering fishy flavor.

Do you season shrimp before or after grilling? ›

Step 2: Pat Dry and Season

While the grill is heating, pat your shrimp dry and season them with a drizzle of oil and seasonings. Alternatively, if you've marinated your shrimp, remove them from the marinade and let them rest so that excess sauce doesn't drip and burn in the flames.

What pairs with grilled shrimp? ›

Grilled corn or zucchini + the shrimp = an entire meal cooked on the grill! Sliced grilled bread – you can even brush the bread with some of the garlic butter sauce before grilling. Your favorite pasta salads would go great with grilled shrimp. Serve the grilled shrimp over a green salad.

Do you have to flip shrimp when grilling? ›

Grill the shrimp over direct, medium heat for 5-7 minutes, turning the shrimp halfway through the process. The outside of the shrimp should turn a nice pink color when it is cooked while the meat inside should be white and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp or else it will become tough.

Why do restaurants cook shrimp with shell on? ›

Like the flesh, the shells contain healthy amounts of glutamates and nucleotides, compounds that dramatically enhance savory umami flavor when present together in food. These compounds also get transferred to the meat during cooking, amplifying the effect of the glutamates and nucleotides in the shrimp's flesh.

Is it better to steam or fry shrimp? ›

Steaming shrimp is one of the best ways to cook the shellfish. The gentle cooking technique helps elevate shrimp's flavor and tender snap.

Why do restaurants cook shrimp with tails on? ›

Because this area is protected by the shell, it takes longer to cook. This creates the effect of a more uniformly thick piece of shrimp. Leaving the tail on also has aesthetic purposes. The tail anchors the shrimp and stops it from deforming.

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