The Best Effing Grilled Shrimp Recipe — Seriously

By Nicole Perry

Updated on 6/21/2018 at 4:50 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

If you're new to grilling, these simple shrimp skewers are an excellent place to start. The recipe is as simple as getting the grill going nice and hot, threading shrimp onto skewers, grilling them for a few minutes (let visual cues like the shrimp turning pink and opaque tell you when they're cooked), and dressing up the cooked shrimp ever so slightly with lemon and parsley.

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

You'll learn a few clutch skills along the way: how to light and prep your grill, how to thread food onto skewers — seriously, it's supereasy — and how to tell when shrimp is cooked.

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Consider this recipe a blank slate for all of your Summer shrimp cookery. Craving shrimp cocktail? Omit the lemon and parsley, chill the shrimp after cooking, and serve with cocktail sauce (grilling the shrimp will add a mildly smoky note). Add spice with a rub or by sprinkling red pepper flakes on the cooked shrimp. For a Greek flavor profile, add crumbled feta; for Italian, add finely grated parmesan. Really, the possibilities are near-endless.

POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Grilled Shrimp With Lemon

YieldServes 2-3

From Nicole Perry, POPSUGAR Food

INGREDIENTS

    • 1 pound large (16/20) shrimp, shelled and deveined
    • 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as rice bran or canola
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • The zest of 1 lemon, plus the juice of 1/2 a lemon
    • 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

    INSTRUCTIONS

    1. If using a gas grill, turn both burners on to high heat and close the lid to heat the grill. If using a charcoal grill, get the coals going nice and hot.

    2. Add shrimp, oil, and salt to a medium mixing bowl, toss gently to coat.

    3. Thread the shrimp onto stainless steel or wooden skewers.

    4. Clean and lightly oil the grill grates.

    5. Grill the skewers over a hot fire, turning once or twice (use tongs or a large grilling spatula) until the shrimp are opaque, lightly pink, and cooked through, about 5 minutes.

    6. Season with lemon zest, juice, and parsley. Serve hot.

    Notes

    For smaller or larger shrimp than 16/20, adjust the cook time accordingly — visual cues like the shrimp turning opaque and pink will help determine doneness. If using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling to avoid burning the wood. New to grilling? Read this guide to lighting your grill first.