Grilled shrimp are perfect for cookouts! Think outside of burgers and hot dogs the next time you have a cookout. Grill up some shrimp to go alongside those grilled veggies and corn. Grilled shrimp makes a beautiful presentation, so they’re perfect for a fancier get together or just in time with the family. And since they grill up in about five minutes, they’re ready in no time! Shrimp are naturally low fat, high protein, so they are a perfect healthy option when eating at a cookout!
I like to serve shrimp with a dipping sauce instead of trying to put a sauce over the shrimp. This way, if you have leftovers you can use them in different ways. Plus marinating shrimp takes extra time and room in the refrigerator that I don’t always have. This recipe has just a few ingredients and it comes together very quickly once you get that skewers on the grill. Of course there’s a few tips to make all of this go a little bit easier for you as well.
My first tips would be to ask your butcher at the seafood counter to peel and de-vein the shrimp. Oh make sure their head’s are removed. Bleh I had to learn that one the hard way. The second tip would be to soak your wooden skewers in water for about an hour or two before you use them. The shrimp are only on the grill for about five minutes so this is less of an issue then if you’re cooking veggie, beef or chicken kabobs, but it still best practice to soak your skewers so they don’t catch fire on the grill. My next tip is to stay close to those little shrimp. They cook up quick and when they are overdone, they are overdone. So be prepared have a clean plate, clean tongs and eliminate distractions for five minutes.
When choosing shrimp at the store, and make sure that you purchase wild caught and not farm raised shrimp. I know wild caught shrimp can be a bit more expensive but I have a tip for getting the most out of a sale! When you do find wild caught shrimp on sale, buy two or three extra pounds that are frozen, take them home and store them in the freezer. Don’t let them defrost though, you can’t refreeze shrimp once they defrost.
Shrimp defrost very quickly, so you can pull the shrimp out of the freezer the morning of a cookout and you will have defrosted, ready to cook shrimp by the afternoon. Just store them in the fridge to defrost. If you are really short on time, you can defrost them in the sink with cold water. This takes about 30 minutes or so.
Think outside the box when you think about what to do with your shrimp, have you ever tried it on a flatbread pizza? What about in tacos or on top of pesto zoodles? Grilled shrimp are also a great appetizer since it cooks up so quickly. I always make more than I think I’ll need, and honestly, I rarely have leftovers, it’s really a popular dish!
Summertime cookouts are better with grilled shrimp! #fitfluential @pancakewarrior_ Click To TweetOf course be aware of you guest allergies. Even if you don’t plan on serving shrimp the the person with allergies, it’s important that you clean the grill thoroughly, not to cross contaminate the other food with the shrimp.
I served my shrimp with the spinach basil pesto for dipping. This pesto has more veggies than usual pesto and goes perfect with the shrimp, adding a few squeezes of lemon over the shrimp once they are done cooking. Another great option would be chimichurri sauce!
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and de-veined
- 2 tsp. dried basil
- ½ - 1 tsp. salt
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- 1-2 tbs. olive oil
- 1-2 lemons, cut into wedges
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Cover and shake or stir until shrimp are covered evently.
- Use wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for 1-2 hours. Place 5-6 shrimp per skewer.
- Once all skewers are done place shrimp on grill that has been preheated on medium.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and place on clean platter for serving.
- Serve shrimp with lemons and dipping sauce of choice
What about you?
- What is your favorite way to enjoy shrimp?
- Do you have a outdoor grill?
- What do you normally bring/eat at cookout?
Shrimp has always been one of my favorite things. You know that kid who at a bajillion cocktail shrimp at parties? That was me!
Bahahah I can totally see you eating all the shrimp 🙂 When you know what you like, you just know it!
ooo yum!! I’ll definitely have to try this next time I’m up at the lake with a grill.
Man the lake and grilled shrimip – sounds like a weekend in paradise to me 🙂
Yum! My husband would love this. Thanks for sharing!
Woohoo!! Hope you both can enjoy it!
I love shrimp this looks great!
Grilled shrimp is definitely one of my favorite summer meals! This looks awesome, especially with that pesto!
Thanks Sue!! Mine too
Is it bad that I’m totally thinking about trying this but with the shell still on? Totally lazy on my behalf haha
Carmy – haha that’s why I have the butcher remove the shells – I’m way to lazy to do it myself 🙂
Yum! What a perfect treat for summer!
I am a big shrimp lover!! growing up it was the only seafood I would even contemplate eating. I love it with garlic and pasta.
Mar my mouth is watering – garlic and shrimp pasta – that sounds like heaven!
I love grilled shrimp! That spinach-basil pesto sounds yummy! I’m making note to put this on our must-grill list this weekend!
Woot woot!! So glad you love it 🙂 Enjoy the cookout!
LOVE ME SOME SHRIMP! Definitely my favorite thing to eat, ever. Such a great post! Can’t wait to try this on the grill, and I’ll have to check out some chimichurri sauce for sure! xoxox, Kayla
This look tasty…if only I could stand the taste of shrimp!
Kathryn, Dave is the same way, so I have to say I understand! Thank you for the kind words though 🙂
Deveining shrimp is strangely therapeutic for me, although stinky and gross. Is that weird? I guess because it’s a mindless exercise, haha. This looks great, Sam!! Love the pesto.
LoL not weird, just different 🙂 I know what you mean though. I’ll often buy shrimp that need to be peeled and deveined and you are right, it’s a good mindless task! Thanks for the love 🙂
looks delicious, I love shrimp. I will definitely give this a try!!!
My kids would go NUTS for this! They are shrimp-a-holics! No joke! And now that summer is here, I absolutely love grilling as many meals as I can! Thanks for sharing this! Will be making soon! xox Christine
Christine, hopefully that means they leave you some shrimp to eat too 🙂
Looks good. I think my hubby and boys would like this. (I don’t eat seafood) 😉
i’ve got udis pizza crust i can use for flat bread pizza you suggested. so trying this! YUM
My favorite way to enjoy shrimp is grilled on a skewer with veggies. So good!
Shrimp is a great option for a picnic or cookout, something I’ve never really considered before. The next time we have a picnic I will for sure consider shrimp as an option.
I am so totally craving shrimp now, yum! Thanks for sharing!
This looks amazing, no fuss and so easy to put together.
I’m making a note of both your spinach basil pesto and chimichurri recipes. Perfect for so many things hot off the grill! Thank you.
I haven’t had shrimp in EONS – It’s TIMEEEEE TO RUMBLE!
Ooh! Shrimp are so yummy and such a crowd pleaser, too!
I LOVE shrimp and these are all such great tips! Thanks so much for sharing this post at Share The Wealth Sunday!
xoxo
Lisa
I love shrimp!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday! Hope to see you again tomorrow!! Pinned!
These look so good. Double yum! Pinned and stumbled. Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Hope you join us again this week.
1 pound is 10 servings? In my case it would be a serving for 1! these look fantastic.
Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays link up. Hope to see you back next week.
I should have clarified that it made 10 skewers not servings!! I’m in the same boat, once I start with the shrimp it’s over 🙂
Shrimp are one of my most favourite foods. They don’t say “throw another shrimp on the barbie” for nothing!!! Grilled shrimps are a summer staple down here.
Can’t wait to try this with the basil 🙂
Have a great weekend x
p.s popping over from Weekend Potluck
Oh I love that saying!! Shrimp on the BBQ is the perfect weekend for me! Thanks so much for hosting!
Shrimp is something I’ve always wanted to throw on the barbie, but have always been to chicken to do it. Your recipe sounds wonderful… I’m feeling brave! 🙂 Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai