This Grilled Shrimp Seasoning is only four ingredients, three if you discount the salt. I bet you have all of them in your pantry right now. It doesn’t require you to marinade the shrimp first. As someone who loves the idea of grilled shrimp marinade (especially if it’s for Coconut Pineapple Shrimp Skewers) but often lacks the foresight or patience to marinate it first, not needing to block off the extra prep time earns this recipe a shiny gold star in my dinner book. No grill? No problem! You can use this same Grilled Shrimp Seasoning to make baked shrimp instead. And, this Grilled Shrimp Seasoning’s most important feature of all: it makes some seriously juicy, fabulously flavored grilled garlic shrimp. It even works wonderfully on a grilled Shrimp Burger. Ready to live your best, easiest summer life? Me too! Let’s grill!
Easy Grilled Shrimp Seasoning – Here’s How to Season Your Shrimp
If you’ve been wondering what spices are good for shrimp, this combo nails it:
Garlic: Garlic and shrimp are flavor besties. We’ve been here before (ahem, Garlic Shrimp Pasta; Garlic Shrimp with Quinoa; Healthy Shrimp Scampi), and we are going back again.Kosher Salt: A seasoning essential.Italian Seasoning: Surprising and delightful with grilled garlic shrimp. I love Italian seasoning because it gives you a mix of herbs and spices in every spoonful. Cayenne: The subtle heat (or not so subtle heat depending upon your preference) comes at the end and will have your reaching for a second helping.
Like my perfect Salmon Seasoning, you can mix this Grilled Shrimp Seasoning blend up in advance and store it in an airtight container if you like. Then, when it’s time to grill, mix it with a fresh squeeze of lemon, drizzle of olive oil, and your shrimp are ready for the barbie. I use this seasoning most often as a grilled shrimp skewers recipe because I find skewers to be the easiest, but if you decide to bake the shrimp instead (or if your shrimp are large enough to fit on the grill grates directly), you can skip them. For easy grilled shrimp recipes, I like these double prong grill skewers. I used simple wood skewers for the photos. If you go the wood route, be sure to soak the skewers first or they will burn (trust me).
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
To Store. Grilled shrimp is best enjoyed the day it is made but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I like to use the leftovers on top of salad or tossed with pasta.To Make Ahead. You can multiply this seasoning blend by as many times as you like, then store it in a jar. For each pound of shrimp, use 1 tablespoon, plus 1/2 teaspoon.
What to Serve with Grilled Shrimp
Now that you’re primed for some juicy bbq grilled shrimp, let’s talk about what to serve alongside it. A few of my favorites:
Grilled Cauliflower SteaksAny Hearty Salad: Italian Farro Salad; Moroccan Chickpea Salad; Watermelon Feta Salad.Tomato Eggplant Zucchini BakeVegan Risotto. Adding this shrimp will make this not-so-vegan, but if that’s not an issue, these two dishes would be a yummy combo.Slow Cooker Wild Rice Pilaf. Perfect if you are avoiding the oven.Crispy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts, or really any roasted vegetable. Perfect if you don’t mind turning on the oven.Any kind of grilled vegetable skewers.
In many ways, this deliciously simple grilled shrimp recipe reflects how I hope our summers will be. It’s low-maintenance, quick enough to allow you to be spontaneous, and made to be shared. Put down your pencils and pick up your grill tongs. School’s out and bbq shrimp are in!
