Grilled Garlic and Herb Shrimp is a simple, flavor-packed seafood recipe featuring juicy shrimp marinated with fresh garlic, lemon, olive oil, paprika, basil, and Italian seasoning. A touch of brown sugar balances the savory marinade and helps the shrimp develop beautifully caramelized edges on the grill.
After marinating, the shrimp need only a few minutes over the heat, making this an excellent recipe for summer dinners, cookouts, or an easy family meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This garlic herb shrimp recipe delivers plenty of flavor from familiar ingredients. Fresh garlic and lemon bring brightness, dried herbs add an aromatic touch, and paprika gives the shrimp an appealing color and subtle smoky character.
It’s also wonderfully straightforward. Prepare the marinade, let the shrimp absorb those flavors, and grill them for about 5–6 minutes.
The recipe works equally well as a main course or appetizer. Serve the shrimp with rice, grilled vegetables, salad, flatbread, or your favorite summer sides for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Instructions
- Add the paprika, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, olive oil, black pepper, dried basil, and brown sugar to a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk thoroughly until the brown sugar begins to dissolve and the marinade is evenly combined.
- Add the peeled and deveined shrimp. Toss gently until every shrimp is well coated with the garlic and herb marinade.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Turn or stir the shrimp once during marinating to redistribute the seasonings.
- Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Clean and lightly oil the grill grates to help prevent sticking.
- Remove the shrimp from the marinade and allow the excess liquid to drain away. Discard the marinade that has been in contact with raw shrimp.
- Arrange the Grilled Garlic and Herb Shrimp on the hot grill in a single layer. Skewers can also be used to make turning the shrimp easier.
- Grill for approximately 2–3 minutes on the first side.
- Turn the shrimp and grill for another 2–3 minutes, until they are opaque, lightly charred around the edges, and cooked through.
- Remove from the grill immediately and serve warm with fresh lemon wedges, if desired.
Tips & Tricks
Use large shrimp for this grilled shrimp recipe because they are easier to handle on the grill and are less likely to overcook before developing attractive grill marks.
If you’re concerned about shrimp falling through the grates, thread them onto skewers before grilling. When using wooden skewers, soak them in water beforehand to reduce scorching.
Keep a close eye on the shrimp while they cook. Shrimp cook quickly and can turn rubbery when left over high heat for too long.
The brown sugar in the marinade can caramelize quickly, so use medium-high rather than extremely high heat.
Never reuse marinade that has been in contact with raw shrimp unless it is thoroughly boiled first. For simplicity and food safety, discard the used marinade.
For even brighter lemon garlic shrimp, squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the cooked shrimp immediately before serving.
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marinating Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 16 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly; dairy-free; gluten-free when all packaged seasonings are certified gluten-free
Notes
Fresh lemon juice gives the marinade the brightest flavor, although bottled lemon juice can work when necessary.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar slightly. The sugar isn’t only there for sweetness; it also helps encourage caramelization on the grill.
For a little heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or a small amount of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
Serve this marinated grilled shrimp with steamed rice, herbed couscous, grilled corn, roasted potatoes, a fresh green salad, or grilled vegetables.
If you want to make shrimp tacos, tuck the grilled shrimp into warm tortillas with shredded cabbage, avocado, fresh cilantro, and a creamy lime sauce.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 410
- Protein: 47 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fat: 19 g
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on shrimp size, marinade absorption, and exact ingredient brands.
FAQ
How long should I grill garlic and herb shrimp?
Large shrimp generally need about 5–6 minutes total over medium-high heat, turning once halfway through. Remove them once they are opaque and cooked through.
How long should shrimp marinate before grilling?
For this recipe, approximately 2 hours allows the garlic, herbs, paprika, and seasonings to flavor the shrimp well. Keep the shrimp refrigerated while marinating.
Can I put shrimp directly on the grill?
Yes. Large shrimp can be placed directly on clean, lightly oiled grill grates. Skewers or a grill basket can make smaller shrimp easier to handle.
Can I make garlic grilled shrimp without an outdoor grill?
Yes. A stovetop grill pan works well. You can also cook the marinated shrimp in a hot skillet, although you won’t get quite the same smoky grilled flavor.
How do I know when grilled shrimp are cooked?
Properly cooked shrimp become opaque and develop a pink exterior. The flesh should feel firm but still tender rather than hard or rubbery.
What should I serve with Grilled Garlic and Herb Shrimp?
Rice, couscous, grilled vegetables, corn, roasted potatoes, fresh salad, and flatbread are all excellent options for turning easy grilled shrimp into a complete meal.
Storage
Place leftover cooked shrimp in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly. For best quality, enjoy them within 3 days.
Cooked shrimp can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, although freshly grilled shrimp generally have the best texture.
Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat gently in a skillet over low to medium heat just until warmed through. Avoid prolonged reheating because it can make shrimp tough.
Leftover grilled shrimp are also delicious served cold in salads, wraps, or grain bowls, eliminating the need to reheat them.
Similar Recipes
Grilled Garlic and Herb Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 2 tablespoons fresh garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 2 pounds large shrimp peeled and deveined
Instructions
- Add the paprika, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, olive oil, black pepper, dried basil, and brown sugar to a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk thoroughly until the brown sugar begins to dissolve and the marinade is evenly combined.
- Add the peeled and deveined shrimp. Toss gently until every shrimp is well coated with the garlic and herb marinade.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Turn or stir the shrimp once during marinating to redistribute the seasonings.
- Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Clean and lightly oil the grill grates to help prevent sticking.
- Remove the shrimp from the marinade and allow the excess liquid to drain away. Discard the marinade that has been in contact with raw shrimp.
- Arrange the Grilled Garlic and Herb Shrimp on the hot grill in a single layer. Skewers can also be used to make turning the shrimp easier.
- Grill for approximately 2–3 minutes on the first side.
- Turn the shrimp and grill for another 2–3 minutes, until they are opaque, lightly charred around the edges, and cooked through.
- Remove from the grill immediately and serve warm with fresh lemon wedges, if desired.
Notes
Conclusion
Grilled Garlic and Herb Shrimp proves that a simple marinade can transform shrimp into an incredibly flavorful meal. Fresh garlic, lemon, herbs, paprika, olive oil, and a hint of sweetness create a savory marinade that caramelizes beautifully over the grill.
With just a few minutes of actual cooking time, this recipe is an approachable option for everything from casual weeknight dinners to outdoor gatherings.