I grew up eating all manner of fish from the Midwest.  Bass, perch, pickerel, smelt–I ate them all, and all year ’round, too.  My dad would fish all summer and then the freezer would nearly burst as we kept those fresh and tasty lake-caught fillets ready for a good fish fry.  And being raised Catholic, that meant fish every Friday during lent.  It was hard to beat my dad’s beer battered fish at the end of the week, or any time of year.

However, other than the variety listed above, we didn’t eat other types of seafood very often. Once in awhile we’d go out to dinner somewhere that served something like shrimp or salmon, and that was a whole new world of flavors and textures to try.  Like so many, my first foray into shrimp was something battered and fried so much that you could hardly taste the actual shrimp.  Slathered with cocktail sauce, that was the way I thought shrimp was supposed to taste.

Then I had the good fortune to explore other ways to enjoy this bug-o-the-sea (I mean, they look like bugs, right?) than fried to death.  Sauteed. Baked. Stuffed. Grilled.  Mmmm…the possibilities began to open up.

BBQ Grilled Shrimp

Enter our third move to Texas (yes, 3 times, because apparently once isn’t quite enough), and I started buying fresh Gulf shrimp whenever I came across it.  Not the stuff at the grocery store, although there is nothing at all wrong with that source.  Here, you can get a pound (or 8, or 12) of freshly caught shrimp at places like the farmer’s market.  And the difference in flavor, texture, and size is incredible!  I’ve had so much fun playing with recipe after recipe using this delicious, sustainable, and easy-to-make protein, and I’m just getting started!

At my oft-mentioned favorite local market, they recently added a new vendor that provides fresh shrimp.  And being the shrimp-lover I am, I jumped right on it and got 2 pounds to bring home and dig into.

What was so great about this particular preparation method is that is was so SIMPLE, and yet so darned flavor-packed.  You simply cannot go wrong with an open fire, and protein on a stick.  I think after trying this delicious flavor combination, you’ll agree that BBQ Grilled Shrimp are worthy of being added to your seafood recipe repertoire!

Want more great shrimp recipes?  Check out these other tasty shrimp dishes!

Citrus Shrimp Primavera

Citrus Shrimp Primavera Served

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fisherman’s Stew

Fisherman's Stew

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Salmon & Shrimp

Mustard Salmon & Shrimp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shrimp & Grits

Shrimp & Grits Cup

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shrimp & Kale Pesto Pasta

Kale Pesto Shrimp

BBQ Grilled Shrimp
BBQ Grilled Shrimp
Print Recipe
While I was lucky enough to get nearly-out-of-the-water shrimp, you can certainly rely on the fresh options at your local seafood market or grocery store. While we left the shells on to help hold them together during grilling, shelling and deveining prior to grilling works well, too. Either way, you'll be left wanting more of these delectable shrimp at your next meal!
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
BBQ Grilled Shrimp
BBQ Grilled Shrimp
Print Recipe
While I was lucky enough to get nearly-out-of-the-water shrimp, you can certainly rely on the fresh options at your local seafood market or grocery store. While we left the shells on to help hold them together during grilling, shelling and deveining prior to grilling works well, too. Either way, you'll be left wanting more of these delectable shrimp at your next meal!
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 people 10 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: people
Instructions
  1. Rinse and dry shrimp. Thread them onto skewers. If using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling. This helps ensure that the skewers won't burn when grilled.
    Shrimp Skewers
  2. Melt the butter and mix in bbq sauce. Brush shrimp with baste prior to placing on grill.
    BBQ Sauce & Butter Baste
  3. Heat grill over medium high heat. Grill shrimp for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until shrimp are cooked through. They will begin to curl on the skewers as they cook. Baste them on each side as you flip them to ensure the sauce adheres to the shrimp as they grill.
    BBQ Grilled Shrimp
  4. Serve immediately with additional bbq sauce and a squeeze of lemon.
    BBQ Grilled Shrimp
Recipe Notes

Seriously, this recipe really is that simple.  And seriously, you will want another plateful of them when you finish your first batch.  And I have to admit that the leftovers are incredible the next day as the flavors have more time to settle into the meat of the shrimp.  Chopped up and used in a salad, or served warm again on toasty and crusty bread for a po'boy-type sandwich, you will find that this simple dish is versatile and crave-able!

Great as an appetizer, a main dish, or a light warm weather snack, these BBQ Grilled Shrimp will be the thing of your seafood dreams.

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