Wondering what to do with the shell when youre grilling shrimp? Weve got the answers you need so it comes out perfect every time.
Ive cooked a lot of shrimp in my life, and Im here to tell you — peeling it is kind of a pain. So leaving the shell on is a cooks dream. But should you leave the shell on when you grill shrimp? The answer is maybe, depending on how you cook it. Heres how to decide.
Shrimp can be grilled with or without their shells. I like to peel the shrimp prior to grilling. Remove all of the shell except for the part that is around the tail of the shrimp. Removing the shell will allow the marinade to penetrate the meat and give the shrimp more taste.
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When to Leave the Shell on When Grilling Shrimp
Leave the shell on if youre grilling the shrimp with no marinade or seasonings. Doing so will protect the moist meat inside and intensify the sweet, briny flavor of the shrimp. This allows you to prepare the shrimp as peel-and-eat — which is living the dream for any cook, really. You are winning the shrimp game, my friend. Related Articles
When to Grill Shrimp Without the Shell
In other cases, its perfectly fine to grill shrimp with no shell.
- If youd like to impart a smoky flavor, remove the shells and use a charcoal grill or a gas grill with wood chips. The shell will actually block and absorb the smoke in this instance, so it is best to remove it.
- If you are marinating the shrimp, youll need to peel them before you put them in the marinade and plop them on the grill. The shells can keep the marinade from infusing the shrimp meat. Bonus: marinade adds moisture and tons of flavor to this delicate seafood, meaning that it is less likely to dry out.
Helpful Hack
If you remove the shells, dont throw them away. Freeze them until youre ready, and then use them to make a tasty seafood stock. Read More
Super Quick Video Tips: The Best Way to Grill Shrimp
FAQ
Should you peel shrimp before grilling?
Do you keep the shell on shrimp when grilling?
Is it better to cook shrimp with shell on or off?
Does cooking shrimp with shell on give more flavor?
Should you Grill shrimp with the shell on?
It also helps to give the shrimp a smoky, grilled flavor. On the downside, grilling shrimp with the shell on can also make it more difficult to marinate or season the shrimp properly. Plus, diners will need to peel off the shell before they can eat the shrimp, which can be a messy and time-consuming process.
Can you cook shrimp shell-on or shell-off?
Shell-on, shell-off, we’ve got you covered. The best part is how easy a shell-on method is—those shells act as a temperature buffer, helping to prevent the shrimp from overcooking. Which means there’s very little to do beyond flavor them and grill them. My go-to shrimp marinade includes a splash of fish sauce, minced garlic, and ginger.
Should I buy fresh shrimp before grilling?
1. For the best possible results, buy fresh shrimp on the day that you plan to grill them. Shrimp thaw quickly and can go bad even more quickly. Make sure that you buy either jumbo or colossal sized shrimp for easier grilling. 2. Shrimp can be grilled with or without their shells. I like to peel the shrimp prior to grilling.
Are shell-on shrimp good on the grill?
Shell-on shrimp are great on the grill. . Shao Z. Remember when Kenji published his article on how to grill perfect shrimp, in which he wrote that one of the best methods for ensuring tender grilled shrimp is to cook them in their shells?