How to Grill Shrimp
Once you know how to cook shrimp on a grill, you won’t want you to cook it any other way. With these grilling techniques and a few simple ingredients, you’ll be enjoying full-flavored, char-grilled shrimp anytime you like. Let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
Before starting, make sure you have everything on this list. We recommend Kingsford® Original Charcoal Briquets.
- Kingsford® Original Charcoal Briquets
- Wooden Skewers or Flat, Metal Skewers
- Small pan or microsafe bowl
- Paper Towels
- Digital Meat Thermometer
- Shrimp (Shell On)
- Olive Oil
- Kosher Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Fresh Lemon Juice or Melted Butter
- Cooking Oil
How to Prep
- If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 1 hour.
- To prevent the shrimp from spinning, use flat metal skewers or 2 wooden skewers side by side. Place 4 to 6 shrimp per skewer or double skewer.
- Brush the shrimp with olive oil, and season with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
- For finishing, squeeze a fresh lemon for juice, and melt some butter in a small pan or microwave-safe bowl.
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How Do I Know What Type of Shrimp to Choose? Let’s Find Out! Choose large shrimp, often labeled 16/20 (roughly 16 to 20 shrimp per pound). Smaller shrimp tend to dry out quickly. Shell-on shrimp work better than peeled, as the shell will help protect the meat and retain moisture while cooking.
How to Prep
How to Build Your Fire
- Give your top grill grate a good brushing and set aside. Pour Kingsford® Original Charcoal Briquets into a chimney — or pour them in a mound and light.Wait for coals to light fully.
- Once the charcoal turns gray with ash, arrange coals in a Two-Zone Method:coals on one side of the grill and a void on the other.
- Coals should be at Medium Heat — around 375°F to 425°F. How to control the heat when grilling with charcoal.
- Add the grate and let it heat up.
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How to Gauge Grill Heat Without a Thermometer
Carefully hold your hand about 5” to 6” above the grate, and refer to the temperature settings below:
• High Heat (450° to 550°F):
2 to 4 seconds
• Medium Heat (350° to 450°F):
5 to 6 seconds
• Low Heat (250° to 350°F):
8 to 10 seconds
Make sure your clothing doesn’t touch the grate, and always move your hand away from the heat before you feel discomfort.
When you’re at temp, put cooking oil on a folded paper towel. Grab the oiled paper towel with long-handled tongs and oil the grate thoroughly.
How to Build Your Fire
Grilling Time & Temp
- Place the skewers on the hot side of the grill.
- Grill the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until they’re slightly pink with opaque flesh.
- When they reach an internal temperature of 145°F, your shrimp are done. To check the temperature, stick the tip of your digital meat thermometer into the thickest part of the shrimp.
