This Grilled Shrimp is smoky from the grill and flavored with garlic and fresh lemon. This dish can be added to pastas and salads, or enjoyed all on its own.

Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I love Grilled Shrimp because it tastes amazing on everything. From sandwiches to pastas to salads, I can make any dish better when I top it with this tasty recipe. And if it’s summer, grilling is a must. I just know you’re going to love this shrimp dish as much as I do.
- TASTE: Smoky, garlicky, and citrusy, these Grilled Shrimp are so tasty. The slight char adds lots of yummy flavor.
- TEXTURE: These shrimp are grilled so they are juicy and tender with a little crunch on the outside.
- TIME: This recipe will take you 20 minutes.
- EASE: It’s so easy to make and uses simple, basic ingredients for a delicious dish that everyone will love.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Large shrimp- You want to use large shrimp so they are big enough to skewer easily.
- Olive oil- This is used to help the seasonings stick to the shrimp and also help them grill.
- Garlic cloves- Fresh garlic has the best flavor, but you can use minced garlic if that’s what you have on hand.
- Lemon- Again, fresh is best for a really great citrusy flavor. Concentrated lemon juice can also be used if it’s all you’ve got.
- Red pepper flakes- For a little heat.
- Paprika- This adds a smoky flavor.
- Parsley- To garnish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Make them spicy- Make these really spicy with the addition of cayenne pepper.
- Substitute lime juice- Use lime juice in place of lemon for a slightly milder citrus flavor.
- Add butter- Marinate the shrimp with butter or serve melted butter with them for dipping. This adds great rich flavor.
- Add honey to the marinade- Honey garlic is delicious on shrimp and gives it a sweet and spicy flavor.
How to Make Grilled Shrimp
- Mix the ingredients together. Add the shrimp, half of the lemon juice, garlic, paprika, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, and olive oil to a large bowl. Mix thoroughly.
- Soak the skewers. Soak the skewers in water for about an hour before skewering the seasoned shrimp.
- Oil the grill grates- Oiling the grates will ensure that the shrimp don’t stick as they cook.
- Grill the shrimp. Grill the skewered shrimp over medium heat for 2-4 minutes on each side. Take them off the heat and garnish with the other half of the lemon juice, chopped parsley, and lemon wedges.
Pro Tip: Use tongs or clean hands to mix the shrimp to make sure it is thoroughly combined.
Recipe Tips
- Get peeled and deveined shrimp- Buy the shrimp already peeled and deveined to save you lots of time and effort.
- Soak the skewers- Soaking the skewers in water will keep them moist enough that they won’t catch fire while the shrimp are grilling.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp- Be careful to not cook them too long or they will become tough and rubbery. They should be pink and opaque when done.
FAQs
Grilled shrimp taste great when they are marinated in olive oil with salt, pepper, rosemary, paprika, red pepper flakes, thyme, jerk seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or cayenne pepper. Lemon juice is also delicious on shrimp.
Depending on the size of the shrimp, they can be cooked for anything from 2-7 minutes on each side. The larger the shrimp, the more time it needs. Look for the shrimp to turn pink on the outside and white on the inside.
Serving Suggestions
This Grilled Shrimp recipe is super tasty and can serve as a small meal. It also tastes great with grains, pastas, salads, and with veggies.
- Grains: Serve these shrimp atop some white rice, brown rice, Wild Brown Rice, Hibachi Fried Rice, or Quinoa Fried Rice.
- Salads: Top your favorite salads with these grilled shrimp. Try it with this Spinach Salad, Chopped Caprese Salad, Broccoli Cranberry Salad, or Couscous Arugula Salad.
- Pasta: Toss them with some Rasta Pasta, Creamy Tortellini Alfredo, Pasta Pomodoro, or Asparagus Pasta.
- Sides: Pair the shrimp with vegetables like Scalloped Potatoes, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, and Parmesan Roasted Potatoes.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: Soak the skewers ahead of time so they are ready when you want to grill. You can also marinate the shrimp and leave them in a bowl in the fridge, covered, for a day.
Storing: Store any leftovers of these Grilled Shrimp in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven, on the stove, or the grill. Remove them from the skewers before reheating as they will be too dry.
Freeze: If the shrimp was not previously frozen, then you can freeze the cooled shrimp without skewers in a freezer safe ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
More Delicious Shrimp Dishes!
Full Recipe Instructions
Grilled Shrimp
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lb Shrimp
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp lemon juice divided
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the peeled and deveined shrimp along with the spices, garlic, olive oil, and 1/2 the lemon juice.
- Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Soak the wooden skewers in water for about an hour before using. Place the shrimp on the skewers.
- Bring the grill to medium heat and grill the shrimp for about 2-4 minutes per side. Once the shrimp are done, drizzle the remaining half of the lemon juice on top and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
- Get peeled and deveined shrimp- Buy the shrimp already peeled and deveined to save you lots of time and effort.
- Soak the skewers- Soaking the skewers in water will keep them moist enough that they won’t catch fire while the shrimp are grilling.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp- Be careful to not cook them too long or they will become tough and rubbery. They should be pink and opaque when done.
Nutrition
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