I love this easy grilled shrimp recipe for a BBQ appetizer or a main, served with a salad. It packs some spice, but it can be moderated with how much cayenne you include. The key here is to get the grill as HOT as possible for the searing. I often make a double recipe, as they tend to fly off the platter.*
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 pounds of shrimp, deveined, cleaned, tails attached, medium-sized (15 to 18 per pound). You can skewer if using smaller ones.
- Marinade paste
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Garnish
- Lemon wedges
- Cilantro bunch, chopped
DIRECTIONS:
- Mince or grate garlic; mix with salt, cayenne, and paprika, then slowly add olive oil and lemon juice while mixing.
- Place the marinade past and the shrimp into a plastic bag and thoroughly mix. Let the marinade rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 mins (but no longer than 4 hours).
- Start your charcoal or gas grill. Get your box as hot as possible and place your cooking rack close to the heat source.
- Once your grill and cooking surface is hot (target about 500 degrees F), grill the shrimp for 90 seconds on one side and then turn, for an additional 90 sec.
- Remove from the grill and serve immediately with lemon wedges and sprinkled with cilantro and some additional salt.
*This recipe has been reposted and originally ran in June 2022.