04 Jun How to Grill the Perfect BBQ Shrimp

Shrimp grilled is a great way to add fresh seafood to your cookout. Although it may seem easy to throw a few shrimp on the grill, here are some tips and tricks for making them even better!

Preparing Shrimp for the Grill

The biggest debate in shrimp cooking is whether to leave the shell on or remove it and vein or no vein.

The main advantage of whole shrimp is that you get to appreciate all of the crustacean’s flavor—the shell preventing the shrimp from drying out is just a bonus. However, if you don’t like veins, you must remove the shell to devein a shrimp.

If you want to make skewers, then taking off the shell and deveining it is the way to go. If you choose to devein your shrimp, use a small paring knife or deveiner. Cut a slit along the back and remove the black, stringy vein.

Seasoning the Shrimp

Your next step is seasoning. If you’re looking for something simple, a nice coating of olive oil, flavored butter, or BBQ sauce will heighten your meal. Or add a variety of herbs and spices to make a custom marinade.

Grilling the Shrimp

The secret to grilling shrimp is to avoid high heat. Instead, wait for the grill to get down to medium heat—you should be able to hold your hand over the grate for four seconds—this ensures they do not cook too fast and become overcooked and rubbery.

If you have a modern grill, you can preheat your grill to 350℉.

Once you get the ideal temperature, set your shrimp (skewered or non-skewered) on the grate so they are not crowded. Make sure to turn the shrimp halfway through the cooking process to ensure a nice cook all the way around.

You can tell the shrimp is done when the entire body turns a different color—usually pink—and has a pearly, opaque appearance. This should take around 5 minutes.

Eat!

Once your shrimp is cooked, take it off the grill and enjoy!

The summer months are perfect for grilling up some seafood for your family! From salmon burgers to shrimp, Eastern Fish has you covered. We work with multiple sourcing partners all over the world so we can provide you with a consistent, year-round supply of quality shrimp. Contact us today to learn more about our products.