Marinated shrimp on the grill is more than just a summer staple. It’s an invitation to gather outside, pass around platters, and enjoy vibrant flavors that pop off the plate. But juicy, full-flavored shrimp isn’t just about tossing it on a hot grill and hoping for the best. Here, you’ll find science-backed tips on marinating, expert grilling moves, and the biggest pitfalls to avoid. Whether it’s your first skewer or you’re seeking grill perfection, this guide will turn simple shrimp into a backyard showstopper.
PrintMarinated Shrimp on the Grill: Proven Methods for Juicy Results
This Marinated Grilled Shrimp is light, tender, full of flavor, and comes together in just 15 minutes. It’s quick to make and quicker to disappear. Use either an outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 2 min
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce:
- 2 ½ tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup pure honey
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha, use less if you want it mild
- ½ tablespoon regular soy sauce, or gluten-free Tamari
- 1 teaspoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
- lime wedges for garnish
For the Shrimp:
- 12 oz jumbo raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and towel-dried
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- oil for greasing the grill
Instructions
For the Sauce
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In a small saucepan, whisk together all ingredients (except lime juice) on medium heat until butter is melted and ingredients are smoothly incorporated, 2-3 min.
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Remove from heat and whisk in the lime juice. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
For the Shrimp
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Grease either an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan. Heat grill over medium-high heat until oil is hot.
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While grill is heating, make sure shrimp is towel dried, and toss with kosher salt and white pepper.
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Grill shrimp in a single layer for 45-60 seconds per side (It cooks super-fast.) just until opaque; don’t over-cook. Toss shrimp with sauce and serve with lime wedges, if desired.
Notes
- Make sure to thoroughly rinse and de-vein shrimp before cooking.
- If using smaller shrimp, use soaked wooden skewers to prevent them from falling through the grates while grilling.
- Watch shrimp closely, they very quickly go from undercooked to just right to overcooked. Remove from the heat when pink and opaque.
- Shrimp can also be broiled for 2-3 minutes on each side or cooked similarly on a grill pan on the stove top.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
It’s time to fire up the grill and make all of our favorite summer dishes, like this Marinated Grilled Shrimp. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
- Super Quick: Shrimp is the perfect choice for super speedy dinners. It takes just 45-60 seconds (not minutes…seconds!) on each side to grill.
- Flavorful Marinade: The shrimp are covered in a marinade that’s closer to a sauce, packed with flavorful ingredients like fresh lime juice, pure honey and soy sauce.
- Healthy: Not only is Marinated Grilled Shrimp easy, but it’s also packed with lean protein, iodine, and zinc – the perfect healthy meal!
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Shrimp – We prefer jumbo shrimp as they’re easier to grill, but you could also use large shrimp. Just make sure they’re skewered so they don’t fall through when grilling.
- Butter – An essential for seafood, butter brings amazing flavor and aroma to this dish.
- Pure Honey – Honey not only provides sweetness, it also gives the shrimp a nice glaze, helping it char to perfection.
- Sriracha – Sriracha gives grilled shrimp a kick of sweet spice.
- Soy Sauce – Umami flavor balances the sweetness of the honey and richness of the butter.
- Lime Juice – We use fresh lime juice for bright, citrusy flavor. It also tenderizes the shrimp, the longer it sits on it.
Substitutions And Variations
Check out these variations for Marinated Grilled Shrimp that allow us to make this dish on repeat:
- Make it Spicy: For spicier grilled shrimp, add a pinch of Cayenne Pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or even more Sriracha to the sauce.
- Double up the Citrus: If you want even more citrus flavor, feel free to zest your lime as well. You could also use lemon if you prefer..
- Broil the Shrimp: Can’t fire up the grill at the moment? No problem! Just cook shrimp under the broiler for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- In a saucepan, whisk together all sauce ingredients (except lime juice) until butter is melted.
- Remove sauce from heat, whisk in lime juice, and cover to keep warm.
- Grease your grill and heat over medium-high heat.
- Toss towel-dried shrimp with salt and pepper.
- Grill shrimp for 45-60 seconds on each side.
- Toss shrimp with sauce and garnish as desired. Enjoy!
How To Prep Ahead
Here are our favorite prep-ahead strategies for Grilled Shrimp:
- Thaw the Shrimp: If you’re starting with frozen shrimp, take them out the night before and let them thaw in the fridge. You can also quickly thaw shrimp by placing them in a colander and running cool water over them.
- Soak the Skewers: If using skewers, soak them in a bowl of water for a couple hours before grilling. This will ensure the wood doesn’t burn.
- Make the Sauce: The sauce will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just let it cool completely before storing, and warm up on the stove or in the microwave before tossing with the shrimp.
- Make the Shrimp: While shrimp is best enjoyed fresh off the grill, you can make it up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
