Grilled Shrimp co*cktail (2024)

The problem with those ready made shrimp co*cktails that you find in the deli section at the supermarket are two-fold,first, the shrimp. Small, bland, watery — weirdly translucent — they look like a plasticized mold of the real thing. Second – that co*cktail sauce. Too sweet, little heat — decidedly un-inspired. For the life of me, I don’t understand people that buy or even worse — serve — that stuff when the real deal is SO MUCH BETTER and so RIDICULOUSLY EASY to make. Grilled Shrimp co*cktail is packed with flavor from the first bite.

The quality of the shrimp make a difference — and fresh is alwayspreferred. Try to get the largest shrimp available, preferably U-15 to U-20. If you can only get frozen, make sure tothaw them completely before moving on to the rest of the recipe. Dry the shrimp well with paper towels so the marinade will cling to the shrimp better.

How to peel and devein shrimp

If you’ve got fresh, peel and devein them (method shown above), leaving the last segment and the tail still attached.

1. Grab the legs (and head, if attached) and pull off the shell right up to the last segment and tail. Leave those intact.
2. Run a sharp paring knife down the back of the shrimp, about 1/8 to 1/4″ deep.
3. Remove the dark vein and discard.

Marinade for grilled shrimp co*cktail

• Garlic
• Lemon or Lime Zest
• Olive Oil
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Black Pepper

Only 15-20 minutes in this easy marinade will add a ton of finger-licking flavor to the shrimp.

While the seafood rests in the garlicky marinade, make the co*cktail sauce. Never made co*cktail sauce before? It’s ready inapproximately 2 minutes and it’s WAY better than the jarred stuff in the store.

Homemade co*cktail sauce ingredients

• Ketchup
• Horseradish
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Lemon Juice
• Hot Sauce (to taste)

Just mix the ingredients in a bowl and taste for seasonings.

The nice thing about making your own is that you can adjust this sauce to your tastes. If you want your sinuses to clear, add more horseradish. If you want more heat, up the hot sauce. More tang? Add lemon. Play with it, until you get it the way you like. Chill the co*cktail sauce until you’re ready to eat.

Best way to grill shrimp? Kebab them.

I find it easiest to grill shrimp when they’re skewered or kebabed. Why? If they’re not secure, the shrimp can literally fall through the cracks. The skewers makes it faster and easier to flip multiple shrimp at once and prevents over cooking. I like to use metal skewers to save the hassle of soaking them first, but if you’re using wooden skewers, be sure to submerge them in water for at least 45 minutes to an hour, so they don’t burn on the grill.

Preheat the grill to a medium high heat (about 400-450°) and add the shrimp skewers. Shrimp are an immediate gratification seafood. Just a few minutes on the fire and they’re perfectly plump, pink and juicy. I usually start with 2-3 minutes on the first side, before flipping and letting them cook for 1-2 more minutes.

So admit it, this looks a hell of a lot better than those flaccid, rubbery trays of shrimp from the grocery store, doesn’t it? Trust me, these grilled shrimp taste better too. Especially with that homemade co*cktail sauce.

Bathed in garlic, spice and citrus, this grilled shrimp co*cktail is way beyond ordinary. In fact, I could snack on this dish all afternoon! The co*cktail sauce is tingly, sweet and spicy — with enough horseradish to make the hairs in your nose stand up — at least that’s the way I like it. Adjust to your tastes as necessary.

Grilled shrimp co*cktail is delicious hot from the grill but it can also be served chilled — so, if you’re having company, you can make it in advance.

For passable hors d’oeuvres, add a tablespoon or two of the sauce to very small glasses – or even shot glasses and perch a shrimp on the corner. Aren’t they fun? For more seafood appetizers, try these Fancy Baked Sea Scallops, my Florida Style Smoked Whitefish Dip or these awesome Conch Fritters.

More easy shrimp recipes you might like:

• Easy Cajun Jambalaya
• Poached Shrimp Salad Sandwiches
• Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Shrimp Kebabs

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See Also

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp version a spicy choice

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