Grilling shrimp can seem intimidating, but it’s actually a quick and easy way to prepare tender, juicy shrimp. The key is knowing how long to grill shrimp so that they turn out perfectly cooked without over or undercooking them. Here are some tips on determining the ideal grilling time for shrimp based on whether they are raw or pre-cooked.
Grilling Raw Shrimp
If you are grilling raw, uncooked shrimp, the cooking time will depend on the size of the shrimp:
- Colossal shrimp (16-20 per pound): 4-5 minutes
- Extra Jumbo (21-25 per pound): 3-4 minutes
- Jumbo (26-30 per pound): 2-3 minutes
- Large (31-35 per pound): 1.5-2.5 minutes
- Medium (36-45 per pound): 1-2 minutes
- Small (about 100 per pound): 1-1.5 minutes
Shrimp cook very quickly on the grill, so these cooking times are a general guideline but may vary slightly depending on thickness. To test doneness, check that the shrimp have turned pink/orange and are firm throughout.
Tips for grilling raw shrimp:
- Clean and devein the shrimp but leave the shells on – this helps them retain moisture.
- Thread shrimp on skewers to keep them flat on the grill.
- Brush lightly with oil or marinade to prevent sticking.
- Cook over direct high heat – grilling shrimp over too low temperature increases the risk of overcooking.
- Flip the shrimp halfway through cooking.
- Remove immediately when opaque and slightly charred.
Grilling Pre-Cooked Shrimp
If using shrimp that are already cooked, either fresh cooked or frozen cooked:
- Thaw frozen cooked shrimp before grilling.
- The goal is just to heat them through without overcooking.
- Grill for 1-2 minutes per side over direct medium-high heat.
Pre-cooked shrimp can dry out and get rubbery very quickly, so take care not to overcook them on the grill. Watch them closely and remove as soon as they are hot. Brushing with a little oil helps keep them moist.
Tips for Grilling Shrimp Perfectly
Follow these tips for perfect grilled shrimp every time:
- Use shells on for raw shrimp to prevent overcooking.
- Cook over direct high heat for best caramelization.
- Brush lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Flip halfway through cooking.
- Remove immediately when done to prevent overcooking.
- Do not overcrowd the grill – cook shrimp in a single layer.
- For pre-cooked shrimp, grill just until hot – 1-2 mins per side.
Common Grilled Shrimp Mistakes
It’s easy to over or undercook shrimp on the grill. Here are some common grilling mistakes to avoid:
- Cooking over too low heat – this increases risk of overcooking.
- Overcrowding the grill – cook shrimp in a single layer with space between.
- Not monitoring constantly – shrimp cook quickly so need close watching.
- Overcooking pre-cooked shrimp – they only need 1-2 mins per side.
- Not oiling the grill and shrimp – prevents sticking.
- Forgetting to flip halfway – cook evenly on both sides.
- Leaving on too long – remove immediately when opaque.
Serving Grilled Shrimp
Perfectly grilled shrimp make for amazing appetizers, side dishes, salads, pasta dishes and more. Here are some delicious ways to serve up your grilled shrimp:
- On skewers as an appetizer with a dipping sauce like chimichurri, lemon garlic aioli or cocktail sauce.
- In a shrimp taco with avocado, cotija cheese and lime crema.
- On top of fresh greens or grain bowls.
- Mixed into pasta dishes.
- In a shrimp Louie salad.
- Added to kebabs or skewers with vegetables and other proteins.
- As a topping for bruschetta.
You can also toss grilled shrimp in your favorite marinade or sauce to complement the smoky grilled flavor. Soy sauce, teriyaki, bbq sauce, garlic butter, pesto and jerk seasoning are all tasty options.
Grilled Shrimp Recipes
To get you inspired, here are 3 delicious recipes featuring grilled shrimp:
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- Juice of 1 lime
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed
- Toppings like shredded cabbage, diced avocado, cilantro, cotija cheese
Instructions:
- In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, oregano and lime juice. Thread onto skewers.
- Grill over direct high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque.
- Remove shrimp from skewers and chop into pieces.
- Fill tortillas with grilled shrimp and desired toppings.
Grilled Shrimp Kebabs
Ingredients:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1″ pieces
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1″ pieces
- 1 red onion, cut into 1″ pieces
- 2 zucchinis, cut into 1/2″ slices
- 1/4 c olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Add shrimp and vegetables and toss until well coated.
- Thread shrimp and vegetables onto skewers, alternating items.
- Grill over direct high heat for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway, until shrimp are opaque.
Grilled Shrimp Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 c mixed greens
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 c crumbled feta cheese
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper. Add shrimp and let marinate 15 minutes.
- Grill shrimp over direct high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque.
- To assemble salad, toss greens, avocado, onion and feta. Top with grilled shrimp.
Conclusion
Knowing the right grilling times and techniques is key to cooking shrimp perfectly on the barbecue. Raw shrimp takes just 1-5 minutes depending on size, while pre-cooked shrimp needs only 1-2 minutes per side. Monitor them closely, brush with oil, and remove them immediately when opaque to prevent overcooking. Using shells-on raw shrimp helps retain moisture. Grilled shrimp make for quick, easy and delicious meals and can be served in tacos, salads, kebabs, pasta and more. Follow these guidelines for foolproof grilled shrimp every time.