By Christie Vanover | Published January 26, 2018 | Last Updated February 16, 2023
I’ve grilled dozens upon dozens of shrimp in my life. They’re one of my favorite healthy snacks. Before creating this recipe, I always thought my shrimp were pretty good. But pretty good isn’t good enough.
Once I added this one ingredient, my grilled shrimp went from pretty good to being the best damn grilled shrimp on the planet. I’m not exaggerating here. I can down a pound of shrimp like no tomorrow when I follow this method.
The Grilling Process
Before we get to the ingredients, let’s talk about the grilling process. If you want juicy, flavorful shrimp, you’ve got to grill them with the shells on. They add so much more flavor to the shrimps, and they protect the delicate skin from the brutal fire.
Leaving the shells on creates a little more work when it comes time to eat them, but honestly, it makes you slow down to enjoy each succulent bite.
Grill them hot and fast over direct heat. You can put them straight on the grill, but if you buy smaller shrimp, they may fall through the grates. As an alternative, you can use a grill basket or get a set of GrillGrates, and flip them upside down to create a plancha (a flat grilling surface).
The Ingredient That Makes These Shrimp the Best
Okay, now to that one ingredient that makes these the best damn grilled shrimp on the planet. It’s sesame oil.
Sesame oil is oil extracted from sesame seeds. It’s usually thicker than traditional vegetable oil and has a rich, amber color, but the best part about sesame oil is that it’s a concentrated burst of umami.
When you toss the shrimp in sesame oil, the sweetness of the shrimp is somehow amplified. I add a little bit of garlic and ginger to this marinade, too, for extra aromatics.
This grilled shrimp recipe is for two pounds of shrimp. You’re going to want to double it or triple it, if you’re feeding a crowd because these bad boys will go fast.
Tabasco Grilled Shrimp
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The Best Grilled Shrimp on the Planet
Ingredients
- 2 lbs shrimp (shells on, deveined)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsps sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp ginger minced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients, and toss to coat.
- Grill on high, turning once until charred and pink, about 3 minutes per side.
- Peel and eat.
Video
Nutrition
This estimate was created using an online nutrition calculator
I love this recipe! Thank you! I found it too salty for my taste, but prefer to omit the salt and it turned out great! Thank you :)
Glad you enjoyed it and were able to adapt it to your taste buds.
Stove top is good too the grill
Love the recipe. Next time I make up the recipe I’ll leave the salt out tho. It was a little salty to me. Might even throw in a squirt of lemon juice.
Christie, you’re my hero! Before reading this shrimp recipe, I saw your profile description and instantly knew that I’d come to the right place. Thanks for turning my previous attempts of bland/overcooked shrimp into this delicious & delectable damn delight!!!
Thanks so much, Greg. I’m so glad you enjoyed them.
Wow, why great flavors. My husband and I really enjoyed the taste of the shrimp. Thank you.
Thanks Vickie. So happy you enjoyed it.
We have a Traeger – can we make this recipe on the high temp? Typically the highest we can get is 400. Would love your input!
Yes. You’ll still be able to get a nice char with the addition of some Traeger smoke. You may just have to cook them a minute or two longer.
Can I omit the sesame oil?
You can, but it won’t give it the umami flavor that makes these taste so good.
Seriously, delicious! They definitely deserved the title of this article! So simple and amazing! Thank you!
Thank you! Perfect title. Awesome!
OMG. Well deserved title. I personally added crushed red pepper for the KICK but this is really the best shrimp I’ve ever grilled in my 60 plus years of grilling. Where were you years ago, lol. Thank you so very much
Thanks so much. I love the idea of the pepper flakes.
Tried this recipe last night! Some of the tastiest shrimp I haves ever grilled! The recipe is in my favorites!!
I did love the ginger garlic combination, but found the soy sauce and sesame oil to be unpleasant flavor profiles for the lovely shrimp…but it was an interesting way to do the shrimp with their shells on over the grill.
I felt like the sauce needed to be doubled for 2 pounds of shrimp–good flavor combo but not enough.
Tried the recipe tonight and the shrimp were fantastic. I used less salt and added a few drops of chili oil. Thanks for sharing.
How can I make these indoors with that grilled flavor to put in a salad?
You won’t get the same grill flavor, but you can cook them on a grill pan or in a 425F degree oven.
Perfect use of flavors!
I love using sesame oil for so many dishes! I also added sesame seeds, a spicy pepper blend, and some lemon juice… it was OUTSTANDING. Most flavorful shrimp!
I didn’t use the grill because it’s too cold out there, but made them on the stove in some extra sesame oil – and it was an absolute delight! Thank you chef! Looking forward to more recipes from Girls can Grill! I am a FAN!!!
Wow! I just tried this recipe and it was outstanding! I had all the ingredients except sesame oil. So I substituted canola oil. This was my 1st grilled shrimp recipe and the only one I will ever use. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. The shrimp was super flavorful and would not change a thing.
Yum! I added a little lime juice that boosted it
Loved the flavor. Had quite a few shells stick to the shrimp. How to solve?
That can happen if they’re overcooked. Also, I found some brands of shrimp peel better than others.
The best grilled shrimp I have ever made! The whole family loved it.
This recipe is AMAZING!!! 5 STARS!!!
I have a PROBLEM where I perpetually overthink recipes. I always want to tweak or add something. I found this recipe and thought, “No way something so simple can be good… That doesn’t look like enough to coat the shrimp… I never cook shrimp with the shells on…”
I was wrong – these shrimp are perfect. I left out the kosher salt, but otherwise followed the recipe to the letter.
We served with mango salsa, grilled peppers, and and rice and it felt like vacation on the patio!
Awesome. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I love the addition of mango salsa.
Very tasty, next time I will add a little lime – fabulous and very quick meal!
Sorry didnt rate previously – these are great
Flawlessly simple to prepare and absolutely AMAZING flavor. So grateful to have a recipe like this in my possession! (Sure wish it were printable though?)
Thanks so much. There is a print button right above the ingredients.
Making this recipe this evening…what do you recommend as a dipping sauce
We love them plain. But you could also go with a horseradish marmalade.
No dipping sauce is needed!
These prawns are mahdir to die for! Wish I could give you a kiss.
Made these and the Boss loved it. Used the double skewer method and cooked on the grill. You’re right about GrillGrates, they are the best. I set up my grill with have grate side up and half flat side. Gives me the best of both worlds! Thanks for the recipe!
Why are the prawns peeled in the video before cooking?
I’m not sure which video you’re watching. They’re not peeled in my video.
Made them tonight and they we’re a big hit! I added some dried chili pequin flakes for some spice and had 3 of our guests ask for the recipe. Sent them your page.
As I get ready to make these for the 4th time tomorrow I thought I should come let you know how much I love these! I’ve brought these to a friends house marinated and ready to grill and they were a HUGE HIT!!
Just left a rating for your bourbon salmon recipe (spoiler alert: it’s delicious!) and was looking around your site. Had no idea you’re also the creator of my favorite shrimp recipe! I’ve made this grilled shrimp soooo many times. It really is the best and super easy. Thanks!
How long do you marinate?
I just toss them in the sauce and throw them right on the grill. But you could marinate them for 30 minutes, if you want.
i discovered this recipe last summer 2021 and this is hands-down the best grilled shrimp recipe i have ever made! it has become my go-to for grilling shrimp and is always a big hit at backyard bbq’s.
i have read other comments regarding the saltiness, so i just wanted to point out that this recipe calls for KOSHER SALT, which is the big grainy course salt. this is different than regular salt, but if all you have is regular table salt try reducing to just 1/2 tsp.
Perfection. nice job, finally after 51 years I figured out how to grill shrimp perfectly. I’m your newest fan!