Perfectly Grilled Shrimp Recipe with Garlic Butter Charcoal Flavor

Fire up the grill for an easy, flavorful Grilled Shrimp recipe perfect for summer cookouts, quick weeknight dinners, or backyard BBQs. With just a few pantry ingredients, these juicy shrimp come together in minutes for a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Close-up of grilled shrimp served on a white plate with lemon wedges and garnished with chopped parsley.

PIN IT FOR LATER!

This grilled shrimp is tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned before a quick sear on hot grates. It’s ideal for nights when everyone comes home hungry and you need dinner on the table fast. Shrimp is high in protein and versatile—barbecuing shrimp is an approachable way to enjoy seafood.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This recipe uses simple pantry staples and comes together quickly.
  • No long marinating time required—ready in minutes.
  • Shrimp is a lean, high-protein option for a satisfying meal.
Grilled Shrimp Supply Image

Ingredients for Grilled Shrimp

  • Jumbo raw shrimp – Choose jumbo size so they won’t fall through the grates. Use peeled and deveined shrimp; thaw frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. Do not use shrimp that has already been cooked.
  • Olive oil – Helps the seasonings adhere to the shrimp.
  • Seasonings – Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper create bright, smoky flavor.
  • Lemon wedges – Fresh lemon juice adds brightness when served.
  • Chopped parsley – Fresh parsley adds color and a finishing touch.

How to Make Grilled Shrimp

  1. Preheat the grill to medium-high or high and clean the grates. Lightly oil the grates so shrimp don’t stick.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, add to the bowl, and gently toss until each piece is evenly coated with seasoning.
  4. Place shrimp on the hot grill grates and cook for about 3 minutes, until you see light char marks. Flip and cook 1–2 more minutes, until shrimp turn opaque and curl into a “C” shape. Avoid overcooking—smaller shrimp will cook faster.
  5. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
A glass mixing bowl containing olive oil and a variety of spices including paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Ingredients are arranged around the bowl including lemon wedges, olive oil, and raw shrimp on a tray.
The spice mixture in the glass bowl fully combined into a marinade with a deep reddish-brown color.
Raw shrimp added to the bowl with the marinade, ready to be tossed.
Shrimp fully coated in the marinade, evenly seasoned and ready for grilling.
Marinated shrimp placed on a hot grill, beginning to cook with a light sear.
Grilled shrimp showing more pronounced grill marks and browning, indicating they are nearly done.

Pro Tip

  • Consistent, preheated heat is the key to juicy shrimp—make sure the grill is hot before cooking.

Storage and Reheating

Fridge: Store leftover grilled shrimp in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Once cooled, freeze shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Note that freezing may change shrimp texture slightly.

To reheat, warm the shrimp on the stovetop with a splash of water and a lid to retain juiciness. Heat until warmed through, taking care not to overcook.

How Can I Tell When Shrimp Are Cooked Through?

Shrimp are safe at an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C); a quick instant-read thermometer can confirm doneness. Cooked shrimp will turn from translucent to opaque and curl into a firm “C” shape.

Final plated presentation of grilled shrimp on a white platter, garnished with fresh parsley and surrounded by lemon wedges.

Toss the shrimp with seasonings and grill for a fast, flavorful supper that gets dinner on the table quickly. This recipe works well for busy nights and still feels special enough for guests.

Grilled Shrimp Square Image

Grilled Shrimp

Quick and easy grilled shrimp packed with flavor—perfect for summer BBQs, weeknight dinners, or entertaining.
Prep:10 mins
Cook:5 mins
Total:15 mins
4

Equipment

  • Grill
  • Mixing bowl
  • Grill tongs
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  • 1 pound jumbo raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat grill to medium-high/high. Clean and oil grates.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pat shrimp dry and add to the bowl. Toss gently to coat.
  4. Place shrimp on the hot grill and cook 3 minutes until lightly charred. Flip and cook 1–2 minutes more until opaque. Do not overcook.
  5. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Tips

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze cooled shrimp in a single layer, then transfer to a sealed container. Thaw overnight before reheating; texture may change slightly.

Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water and a lid to keep shrimp juicy. Heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 102 kcal, Carbohydrates: 2 g, Protein: 16 g, Fat: 3 g
© Gimme Some Grilling ®

We are not dietitians. For exact nutritional information, consult a nutritionist or use your preferred nutrition calculator.

How to Serve Grilled Shrimp

Grilled shrimp pairs well with many sides. Serve over rice, pasta, or a salad for a quick meal. Toss with grilled vegetables or add to a grilled Caesar for added protein. It also works well in tacos, kebabs, or simply with buttered noodles for a kid-friendly option.

For dessert after your cookout, grilled fruit such as peaches makes an easy, delicious finish—just add a scoop of ice cream if you like.

More Great Shrimp Ideas

  • Use grilled shrimp as a quick taco filling or on top of a salad for extra protein.
  • Pair shrimp with steak on kabobs for a surf-and-turf option.
  • Combine shrimp with sausage on skewers for an easy crowd-pleaser.
  • If you like heat, toss the shrimp with your favorite hot sauce for a spicy kick.