Description
This delicious Grilled Shrimp recipe features succulent large shrimp marinated in a buttery, garlicky, and mildly spicy Cajun sauce. Perfect for a quick and flavorful meal, these shrimp are skewered and grilled to juicy perfection, then brushed with more marinade for an extra burst of flavor. Ideal for summer cookouts or a simple yet impressive dinner.
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (or 8 Tbsp)
- 4 cloves garlic (pressed or minced)
- 1 Tbsp Cajun spice
- 1/2 tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice (from 1/2 medium lemon)
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs large shrimp (21-25 count), uncooked, peeled and deveined
- 12 wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes prior to use)
Instructions
- Prep Skewers and Grill: Soak 12 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, approximately 400˚F, to ensure it is hot enough to cook the shrimp quickly and evenly.
- Prepare Marinade: In a small saucepan, combine unsalted butter, minced garlic, Cajun spice, salt, and lemon juice. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to blend, then remove from heat. Pour half of the marinade into a ramekin for later use and keep the rest warm in the saucepan.
- Skewer and Marinate Shrimp: Thread 4 shrimp onto each soaked skewer, packing them tightly without leaving spaces. Lay the skewers flat on a rimmed cookie sheet. Brush one side of the shrimp with the warm marinade and refrigerate for 2 minutes until the butter firms. Flip the skewers, brush the other side, and refrigerate another 2 minutes to firm the butter on both sides.
- Grill Shrimp: Place the shrimp skewers on the preheated grill and cook with the grill lid closed for about 2 minutes per side. Grill just until the shrimp turn opaque and are cooked through, avoiding overcooking to prevent a rubbery texture. Remove the skewers from the grill.
- Finish and Serve: Brush the reserved marinade over the grilled shrimp to add extra flavor and moisture. Serve immediately and enjoy the tender, flavorful shrimp fresh off the grill.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning during grilling.
- Do not overcook shrimp as they become rubbery quickly; cook just until opaque.
- You can omit the salt if using salted butter to avoid over-salting.
- For a milder flavor, reduce the Cajun spice or substitute with smoked paprika.
- Serving suggestion: pair with grilled vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
