Here’s a simple and flavorful recipe for Marinated Grilled Shrimp—quick, juicy, and perfect for a summer BBQ or weeknight dinner.
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh is best)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or regular paprika
- ½ tsp chili flakes or cayenne (optional for heat)
- 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme (or fresh herbs, chopped)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, chili flakes, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate shrimp: Add shrimp to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Let sit 15–30 minutes in the fridge. Don’t marinate longer than 1 hour; acid can start cooking the shrimp.
- Preheat grill: Heat the grill or grill pan to medium-high. Lightly oil grates to prevent sticking.
- Skewer shrimp (optional): Thread shrimp onto skewers for easier flipping.
- Grill: Cook shrimp 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Shrimp cook very quickly, so watch closely.
- Serve: Squeeze extra lemon juice over the top and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve alone, over rice, in tacos, or on salad.
Tips
- Wooden skewers: Soak in water 20–30 minutes to prevent burning.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or honey to the marinade.
- Shrimp can also be cooked on a cast-iron skillet or broiled in the oven if a grill isn’t available.
If you want, I can also give a garlic butter grilled shrimp version that’s brushed with a buttery herb sauce while cooking for maximum juiciness.
Do you want that version?
