What does it take to make the best grilled shrimp on the planet? One secret ingredient, shrimp shells and about 15 minutes.
I’ve grilled dozens upon dozens of shrimp in my life. They’re one of my favorite healthy snacks. Before creating this recipe, I always thought my shrimp were pretty good. But pretty good isn’t good enough.
Once I added this one ingredient, my grilled shrimp went from pretty good to being the best damn grilled shrimp on the planet. I’m not exaggerating here. I can down a pound of shrimp like no tomorrow when I follow this method. This recipe takes minimal effort and has the best flavor.
While the shell can act like a heat buffer while grilling (which is good), it prevents the marinade from penetrating into the shrimp (which is not so good). It also puts the exterior char on the shell not the meat. That’s why like to remove and discard the shells before we begin the marinade.
How do you marinate shrimp?
If you bought frozen shrimp, be sure to let it thaw before making this recipe. To thaw shrimp overnight, place the bag in a bowl in the refrigerator. For a quick thaw, pour the shrimp into a large bowl and run cold water over the shrimp in the sink.
To create this simple marinade, you’ll want to mix together all of your ingredients and toss with the shrimp. Let the shrimp sit for at least 30 minutes in the marinade at room temperature before grilling.
As the shrimp marinates, you can light your grill.
What ingredient makes this the best grilled shrimp on the planet?
Okay, now to that one ingredient that makes these the best damn grilled shrimp on the planet. It’s sesame oil.
Sesame oil is oil extracted from sesame seeds. It’s usually thicker than traditional vegetable oil and has a rich, amber color, but the best part about sesame oil is that it’s a concentrated burst of umami.
When you toss the shrimp in sesame oil, the sweetness of the shrimp is somehow amplified. I add a little bit of garlic and ginger to this marinade, too, for extra aromatics.
This grilled shrimp recipe is for two pounds of shrimp. If you are feeding a crowd, I recommend to double or triple the amount of food. These will be consumed quickly.
This recipe calls for simple ingredients:
Raw shrimp: Look for deveined, shell-on shrimp. The ones that are deveined are already cleaned and much easier to peel after you cook them. As for size, I look for the bag that says 16-20 shrimp per pound. You’re welcome to use larger or smaller shrimp.
- Olive oil: I like using olive oil, but you can also use avocado oil or any other cooking oil.
- Soy sauce: Regular or low-sodium is fine.
- Sesame oil: You can find this in the Asian aisle of your grocery store.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is best, but you could also use granulated garlic.
- Ginger: Use ginger powder or buy a piece of fresh ginger. Then, peel it and mince it.
- Kosher salt: Shrimp naturally contain sodium, so you can adjust the salt to your liking.
- Black pepper
See the full recipe card below for servings and a full list of ingredients.
Shrimp Marinade Recipe – Perfect for the Best Grilled Shrimp!
FAQ
Is it better to grill shrimp with shells on or off?
Should I leave shell on shrimp?
Does cooking shrimp with shell on add flavor?
Do you peel shrimp before seasoning?
Can you put shrimp marinade on or off?
You can add shrimp marinade to shrimp with the shell on or off, and each method has its benefit. Shell off is best when using a marinade – this way it can fully penetrate the shrimp, giving you the most flavour. Shell on is best if you will be using jumbo shrimp since this keeps them tender and juicy.
How do you marinate shrimp?
My go-to shrimp marinade includes a splash of fish sauce, minced garlic, and ginger. For this recipe, I bumped up the aromatics with lemongrass and shallots, then added a burst of heat with chili flakes. To start, I wash the shrimp, then pat them dry.
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.
Should you leave shrimp shells on?
Leaving the shells on creates a little more work when it comes time to eat them, but honestly, it makes you slow down to enjoy each succulent bite. Grill them hot and fast over direct heat. You can put them straight on the grill, but if you buy smaller shrimp, they may fall through the grill grate.