Grilled Shrimp

By Becky Hardin

Published Jul 25, 2023

grilled shrimp on a plate with lemon wedges. - 3

This flavor-packed Grilled Shrimp recipe is so quick and easy, you’ll be adding these to every dish. Start with a simple marinade, grill shrimp for just a few minutes, then slather on a bright lemon garlic butter. Pair this seafood favorite with pasta, veggies, and salads!

overhead view of grilled shrimp on a white plate. - 5

What’s in this Grilled Shrimp Recipe?

These tender, well-seasoned shrimp are thrown on the grill and then perfectly paired with a rich lemon garlic butter sauce.

Shrimp: You’ll need large deveined shrimp with the tails left on.
Oil: Olive oil helps the seasoning stick to the shrimp and prevents the shrimp from sticking to the grill.
Italian Seasoning : Adds a delicious herbal flavor.
Mustard: Dijon mustard adds an earthy spice.
Butter: Unsalted butter is the base of the sauce, adding rich flavor.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds an earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
Lemon: Fresh lemon zest adds brightness and acidity to the sauce.
Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of freshness and color.

Variations on Shrimp on the Grill

For spicy grilled shrimp, we add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the shrimp marinade . Try swapping out the Italian seasoning for fresh herbs for a fresher, brighter flavor. Or use a different seasoning blend, like Creole seasoning , blackened seasoning , or herbs de Provence .

three-quarters view of marinated grilled shrimp on a white plate. - 6

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover grilled shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the grill or in a lightly oiled frying pan just until warmed through.

How to Freeze

Freeze grilled shrimp in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

a pastry brush brushing lemon garlic butter over grilled shrimp on a white plate. - 7

Serving Suggestions

We have found these simple grilled shrimp pair well with rice, potatoes, pasta, oven baked risotto , and grilled vegetables . A light and crunchy salad or some fresh corn on the cob would also be delicious!

You can also use these shrimp to make shrimp tacos , fajitas, grilled shrimp salad , or shrimp summer rolls . Add it to our lemon pasta for a refreshing summer meal.

Notes from the Test Kitchen

For maximum flavor, we marinate the shrimp for up to 12 hours before grilling them. It’s worth the extra time if you have it!

Ingredients1x2x3x

For the Shrimp

▢ 1 pound large shrimp tails on and deveined
▢ 4 tablespoons olive oil
▢ 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning store-bought or homemade
▢ 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
▢ 1 lemon cut into wedges

For the Lemon Garlic Butter

▢ ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick)
▢ 1 clove garlic minced
▢ 2 (2-inch) strips lemon zest
▢ 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

Video

Instructions

Add the shrimp, olive oil, Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Toss well to combine. 1 pound large shrimp, 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Place the shrimp on a hot grill and grill on both sides until no longer opaque, about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and place on your serving platter.
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the garlic and lemon zest strips. Cook and stir until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the parsley. Brush over warm shrimp. Serve with lemon wedges. 1 lemon, ¼ cup unsalted butter, 1 clove garlic, 2 (2-inch) strips lemon zest, 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

Equipment

Grill or Indoor Grill Pan

Becky’s Tips

The shrimp can marinate for up to 12 hours in the oil and herb mixture.
Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the lemon garlic butter for a bit of heat!
Properly cooked shrimp should read 120°F on an instant-read thermometer.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Grill Shrimp Step by Step

Season the Shrimp: Add 1 pound of large deveined shrimp with the tails on, 4 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper to a large bowl. Toss well to combine.

seasoned raw shrimp in a glass bowl. - 8

Grill the Shrimp: Place the shrimp on a hot grill and grill on both sides until no longer opaque, about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and place on your serving platter.

Sauce the Shrimp: In a small saucepan, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add in 1 minced clove of garlic and 2 (2-inch) lemon zest strips. Cook and stir until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley. Brush over warm shrimp. Serve with lemon wedges.

While it’s not a necessary step, you can rinse off raw shrimp before cooking them to remove any loose bits or shell fragments.

Shrimp can be grilled with or without their shells. I like to remove the shells (leaving the tails on) to allow the marinade to penetrate into the meat.

The best way to grill shrimp is over direct medium heat (about 350-450°F) for just a few minutes.

Because shrimp cook so quickly, there’s no need to cover them on the grill. You’ll want to watch them carefully as they cook because as soon as they are opaque, they are finished cooking.

The best way to keep shrimp moist on the grill is to marinate it beforehand. A salty, well-seasoned marinade will infuse the shrimp with moisture and flavor.

Yes, you should flip shrimp once on the grill to ensure even cooking.

More Shrimp Recipes To Try

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Chipotle Shrimp
Bang Bang Shrimp

Grilled Shrimp Recipe

Equipment

Grill or Indoor Grill Pan