Garlic Grilled Shrimp

Garlic Grilled Shrimp are made with a flavorful combination of olive oil, lemon juice, and spices, then grilled to perfection in under 10 minutes. Serve this dish alongside your favorite sides, like grilled broccoli or a spring mix salad, for the ultimate summertime meal

While I’m happy to fire up the grill during any time of the year, it’s pretty widely understood that the summertime is synonymous with grilling season. During the summer months, I like to follow long days at the pool or going hiking with a delicious meal filled with seasonal produce and summer classics.

Dishes like pasta salad, burgers, skewered meats and veggies, and corn on the cob are found in my home in abundance at this time of year. One of my all-time favorite summer grilling recipes is this Garlic Grilled Shrimp. It’s healthy, simple, flavorful, and grills up beautifully in just a few minutes.

If you don’t have access to a grill, you can easily cook your shrimp on the stove in a cast-iron skillet. However, I will say the grill is my favorite cooking method during the summer months. Between the incredible char marks, it leaves on the food and the smoky flavors it imparts, using a grill is the best way to amp any summertime dish up to the next level.

Grilled Shrimp can be served in a wide variety of ways. Use them as a protein source for salads, stuffed into tacos, as an appetizer, or as a main course alongside grilled vegetables. Serve this dish at your next family dinner or backyard barbecue with the sides of your choice and enjoy!

Key Ingredients and Easy Swaps

To make this flavorful grilled shrimp recipe, you will need the following key ingredients:

• Large shrimp.: To make things easier, make sure you get the kind that comes peeled and deveined. Medium sized shrimp work as well, just be careful since they cook very quickly.
• Olive oil: This helps the spices coat the shrimp and also keeps them from sticking to the grill. Bonus: It’s loaded with heart-healthy fats! Melted butter or avocado oil will also work.
• Lemon juice: This is essential for brightening up the dish and balancing out all the savory flavors with a bit of acidity. You could swap in lime juice or mild vinegar, but I prefer the taste of lemon in this recipe.
• Spices: You will need salt, pepper, dried basil, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. I like to add cayenne pepper for a little kick, but that’s totally optional. Feel free to get creative here and add any spcies you like.

Ideas for Grilled Shrimp

There are quite a few ways to switch up this recipe if you’re in the mood for something a little different. Here are some of my favorite variations of this recipe:

• Try a different protein: Not in the mood for shrimp? Serving someone with a shellfish allergy? This delicious marinade can also be used for chicken or fish.
• Swap out the spices: For a different flavor profile, try using a different spice blend in the marinade. Italian and Cajun seasonings would both work great.
• Add fresh herbs: Try adding a fresh herb like chopped parsley or cilantro for some extra flavor and brightness.
• Make it spicy: If you’re a spicy food lover, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper to the marinade.
• Add Dijon mustard: If you like tangy flavors, this adds a really nice creamy component and a ton of flavor to the marinade.
• Use fresh garlic: For a sharper and more pungent garlic flavor, try using fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder.

What to Serve with Shrimp

These Garlic Grilled Shrimp can be served in a ton of different ways. You can serve them as a taco filling, over a bed of rice, atop a salad, or alongside grilled veggies. The options are pretty much endless, so feel free to get creative and pair them with your favorite summer dishes. Want a little help? Here are some of my favorite side dishes to pair with grilled shrimp:

• Grilled Vegetable Skewers
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Mexican Cauliflower Rice
• Easy Vegetable Pasta Salad
• Grilled Romaine
• Healthy Kale Caesar Salad

How to Store Cooked Shrimp

Cooked shrimp keeps really well, so don’t be scared to make a big batch of this dish. You might need to anyway, as it tends to disappear quicker than you think! I don’t fire up the grill every day, so when I do I like to make a lot of whatever I’m preparing. When I make this Garlic Grilled Shrimp, I typically toss the leftovers into salads and rice bowls over the next few days. To store this dish, transfer it into an airtight bag or container and store it in one of two ways:

• In the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• In the freezer for up to 3-4 months.

Can you grill frozen shrimp?

Grilling frozen shrimp isn't recommended since the shrimp will overcook on the outside and stay cold and raw on the inside.  Instead, start by defrosting the shrimp. The best method is to let the shrimp naturally defrost overnight in the fridge. If you are short on time, simply place the shrimp in a colander in the sink. Run cold water over the shrimp for a couple of minutes. Then let the shrimp sit for about 10 minutes. Check the shrimp and repeat until defrosted. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Grilling Shrimp

Below you will find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this dish:

Can you freeze cooked shrimp?

Absolutely. Cooked shrimp can be safely frozen for up to 3-4 months, as long as it’s stored in an airtight storage bag or container. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply let them defrost in the fridge overnight.

What do you serve with grilled shrimp?

Whatever you want. I like to serve grilled shrimp alongside a combination of hot and cold side dishes, like rice or grilled veggie skewers and a side salad. You can also serve grilled shrimp with pasta, potatoes, and even tacos.

How long does shrimp take to grill?

Shrimp cooks very quickly, so it’s important to keep a close watch when grilling it to avoid overcooking. Once the grill is hot, shrimp only need to cook for about 2-3 minutes per side or until they are opaque.

Should grilled shrimp be on skewers?

This is entirely up to you. I’ve found that shrimp are easier to grill when they’re on skewers, because this makes it easier to turn them and also prevents the possibility of losing any between the grates. Keep in mind that if you’re using wood skewers, you will need to soak them in cold water for about 15 minutes first so they don’t burn.

Can fresh garlic be used in the shrimp marinade?

Fresh minced garlic works great in this recipe. Just swap in 1-2 cloves of fresh garlic for the garlic powder. However, please note, fresh garlic can burn on the grill and become bitter. If using fresh, try and remove most of it from the shrimp so it doesn't burn. 

More Tasty Shrimp Recipes

Like this recipe? Try these next:

• Lemon Pepper Shrimp and Broccoli
• Crispy Shrimp Burgers
• Kung Pao Shrimp
• Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
• One Pan Shrimp Fajitas