Cooking shrimp on the grill is easy and fast; at high heat, the protein is done in less than five minutes. But there are other reasons to turn to the grill for this popular shellfish, aside from ease and speed. Grilling imparts a smoky flavor that partners so well with shrimp’s gentle sweetness. Plus, so many of the flavors that complement shrimp, whether tropical, spicy, citrusy, herbaceous, or some combination of all four, also take well to a quick and hot pass over a grill.
These recipes run the gamut from appetizers to main courses. And while there’s no denying they’re best prepared on a grill, you can also cook them indoors, on a grill pan, or even a sauté pan.
17 Shrimp Dinner Ideas for Delicious Weeknight Meals
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Spicy Grilled Shrimp
The Thai-inspired flavor of this sauce would be delicious on chicken or many other proteins, but it takes especially well to shrimp with its natural subtle sweetness.
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Tequila-Grilled Shrimp
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The marinade for this tasty shrimp dish includes tequila, which adds tart and herbaceous notes, as well as lime juice, orange juice, salt and pepper.
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Spicy Shrimp Fajitas With Grilled Pineapple Pico
Canned chipotle in adobo sauce is a pantry’s secret weapon, adding depth of flavor and punch to just about anything. In this grilled shrimp taco dish, it plays beautifully with lime and pineapple.
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Tarragon Shrimp Scampi
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This tarragon marinade—typically for poultry—will give a unique, mild licorice-like flavor to your shrimp, and it can be done in less than 30 minutes. Though here we’ll be broiling the shrimp, you can easily grill them instead for about 5 minutes or until slightly charred.
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Spicy-Sweet Glazed Shrimp
All you need to make this terrific shrimp dish is a spicy chili sauce, such as Sriracha, and honey. The hot and sweet interplay is a winning combo, especially when both flavors are treated to the smokiness of the grill.
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Grilled Herbed Shrimp
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This recipe calls for fresh cilantro and parsley, but you could swap in basil, chives, oregano, or other herbs. It’s a great prep-ahead appetizer; just marinate the shrimp and it’s ready for grilling whenever you are.
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Grilled Shrimp “Boil”
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To make this coastal-inspired dish, you start out boiling the corn and potatoes. Then, you finish them (plus the shrimp) on the grill, which yields a delicious fiery flavor.
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Grilled-Shrimp Grand Aioli
The beauty of this dish is in its bounty. Lay grilled shrimp and grilled flatbreads on a large platter or board along with potatoes, green beans, cucumbers, lettuce leaves, and hard-boiled eggs. Then serve a creamy avocado sauce and a mustardy vinaigrette on the side for dipping and let diners help themselves.
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Chipotle-Shrimp Tacos With Fennel and Beans
Canned chipotles in adobo pop up again in this fiery shrimp dish. The spicy peppers are tempered with a cool and crunchy fennel slaw dressed with lime juice and salt.
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Grilled Shrimp Paste on Sugarcane
Here’s a fun and unexpected way to grill shrimp: pulse shrimp in a food processor until it forms a paste, then form it around sticks of steamed sugarcane. Grill the “skewers” until they’re lightly charred, and you’ve got a light and summery appetizer or snack.