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grilled shrimp on plate with one dipped in sauce

I just downed a dozen coconut shrimp, and I don’t have one bit of guilt because they were grilled with this sweet, salty Orange Coconut Salt. The only regret I do have is that I didn’t grill more.

I love coconut shrimp, but I can do without the extra calories that come from all the breading and the deep fryer. Really, it’s the flavor and texture that I crave.

I’ve tried to coat shrimp in coconut and grill or bake them before, but I’ve always been less than impressed. The coconut either burns or becomes soggy, but not with this salt. The secret is in the toasted ground-up coconut that you prepare yourself.

mixer full of coconut salt

All you have to do is toast some coconut and combine it in a food processor with some orange zest and salt. You can either use fresh zest from an orange or the jarred dried orange peel that you can find in the spice aisle or online.

How to make coconut shrimp sauce

Grilled shrimp hanging from glass full of marmalade

While this coconut shrimp is amazing, I can’t enjoy it without dunking each bite in the sweet and spicy copycat Outback dipping sauce made with orange marmalade, horseradish and Dijon mustard.

plate of grilled shrimp
4.24 from 17 votes

Grilled Coconut Shrimp

The secret to making crunchy grilled coconut shrimp is using this sweet, salty Orange Coconut Salt.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 3 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb shrimp

Orange Coconut Salt

  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • zest of 1 orange

Dipping Sauce

  • 1/4 cup orange marmalade
  • 2 tbsp prepared horseradish
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

Instructions 

  • Rub olive oil on the shrimp. Sprinkle liberally with orange coconut salt.
  • Grill on high for about 3 minutes per side.
  • Serve hot or cold with dipping sauce.

Orange Coconut Salt

  • Spread the coconut and orange zest on a pan, and bake in a 425-degree oven for 5 minutes, until light brown.
  • Stir and bake for one more minute.
  • Pulse the coconut in a food processor or mini chopper, until fine.
  • Stir in the salt.

Dipping Sauce

  • Combine ingredients.

Notes

You can use 1 teaspoon dried orange peel in place of the fresh orange peel.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 22gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 213mgSodium: 1838mgPotassium: 255mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin C: 3.8mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to rate it, leave a comment and save it so you can make it again. Show off your awesome results on social by tagging @girlscangrill

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christie vanover standing against wood wall.

Hey BBQ Family

Hi. I’m Christie, the head cook and award-winning competitive pitmaster for Team Girls Can Grill. I have won multiple grand championships and have dozens of top ten category finishes. People know me as the girl who is forever hovering over a grill, smoker or campfire with tongs in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.

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