Grilled Shrimp Recipe (in Best Marinade) (2024)

Grilled shrimp is the easiest dinner to put on your table! Shrimp tossed in a sweet and savory marinade and then grilled to perfection in under 10 minutes. It’s the simplest dinner with the perfect combination of flavors and comes together just as quickly as our fried shrimp.

Grilled Shrimp Marinade

Grilled shrimp is made with peeled and deveined raw shrimp, which is tossed in a buttery, honey lime marinade with tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. It uses simple ingredients and takes under 30 minutes total time.

The shrimp can also be marinated in advance for an even quicker dinner recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Lightning fast. For busy days, this recipe will become your go-to recipe for a quick meal!
• It pairs with many cuisines. This basic shrimp recipe can be used in many dishes, from Italian, to Japanese dishes, and American cuisines.
• It’s a great source of protein. Grilling shrimp is a great way to mix up your typical protein intake, with almost 20 grams of protein per serving!
• Kid-friendly. With simple ingredients, this recipe will become a favorite with even picky eaters!

Grilled Shrimp Ingredients

The ingredients for this marinated grilled shrimp are so simple you can skip a trip to the grocery store!

• Shrimp- use peeled and deveined shrimp for best results and easy eating!
• Marinade- the marinade consists of pantry staples like butter, oil, seasonings, lime, and honey.

Grilled Shrimp Marinade

The key to the best-grilled recipe is a flavorful marinade. For the shrimp, we use a combination of sweet and tangy ingredients to achieve the best flavor that compliments the mild seafood aroma of the shrimp.

• Honey- sweetens the marinade, giving sweet, earthy notes of flavor.
• Butter and olive oil- soak into the shrimp to give it the crave-worthy, deep, buttery flavor.
• Garlic- adds a pungent, spicy flavor to the dish and pairs well with butter!
• Lime- acidity neutralizes overly fishy flavors and adds a pleasant tang.
• Seasonings- keep it simple with a mixture of salt, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes!

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.

How to Make Grilled Shrimp

Be sure to have your side dish ready to serve as the shrimp cooks quickly.

• Prepare wet marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the oil, melted butter, minced garlic, honey, and lime juice.
• Combine seasonings: In a small bowl, toss together the dry seasoning ingredients.
• Prepare shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp and remove the tails. Pat the shrimp dry and add to a large bowl.
• Add marinade: To the shrimp, add the wet marinade ingredients and toss to combine. Then, add the seasonings and mix together once more.
• Marinate: Set the shrimp aside to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
• Thread and grill: Add the shrimp to metal or wooden skewers and grill on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side. Top with fresh herbs like fresh parsley or cilantro once grilled.
• Serve and enjoy, friends!

Substitutions and Variations

You can further elevate the shrimp on the grill with these substitution options.

• Add vegetables: Thread chopped vegetables (or fruit!) onto the skewers before grilling. My favorite grilling vegetables are sliced peppers, red onions, whole mushrooms, or zucchini. Add cubed pineapple between shrimp and grill for a more pronounced tropical flavor!
• Set aside marinade: Reserve a portion of your marinade to use for brushing over the shrimp on the grill as desired.
• Skip the skewers: If you want an even quicker dinner, skip the skewers and put the shrimp on the grill as is! Just be sure to flip them quickly to prevent overcooked, rubbery shrimp.
• Add sriracha: For a kick of heat, add sriracha or hot sauce to the marinade!

Serving Suggestions

The grilled shrimp skewers can be a meal of their own or can be repurposed in a variety of different recipes. It goes with almost everything!

• With grilled vegetables: You can choose to add veggies to the skewers before grilling or grill vegetables or corn on the cob on the side to serve with the shrimp.
• Wrap them up: Serve the shrimp grilled in shrimp tacos or fajitas, in homemade spring rolls, or in lettuce cups with veggies!
• In a salad: Top a loaded veggie salad to add protein and make your salad a complete meal.
• With a sauce: Eat the shrimp with a side of a dipping sauce like yum yum or ginger sauce.
• Potatoes: Serve with a batch of french fries, baked potatoes, or creamy mashed potatoes.

Store & Reheat

• Storage. If stored in an airtight container, leftovers will be held in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheat. Reheat the shrimp in the microwave or over low heat in a skillet until warmed.