4-Minute Perfectly Grilled Argentinian Red Shrimp

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy: Ready in just 4 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights
• Versatile: Great on its own, in salads, shrimp pasta, or tacos
• Healthier than takeout: Low in calories but high in flavor
• Budget-friendly: No need for expensive seafood restaurants
• Crowd-pleaser: A hit at gatherings and BBQs
• Customizable: Easily adjust the seasonings to suit your taste
• Easy to follow instructions (even kids can make them)

Grilled Smoky Shrimp Ingredients

Basic pantry spices make this sweet and tender smoky grilled shrimp recipe easy for anyone to make. Feel free to switch up the spices used and add a little cayenne pepper for extra heat.

• Argentinian Red shrimp (or other sweet shrimp), deveined with tails on
• extra virgin olive oil
• sweet paprika 
• smoked paprika 
• onion powder 
• sea salt

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Anyone (even older kids) can make perfectly grilled shrimp!

1. Clean and season the shrimp: Remove the shells, leaving only the tail attached, and devein. Pat dry and place in a bowl (butterfly the shrimp if desired to give them more surface area for cooking). Add olive oil, and spices and gently massage to coat evenly. Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 20 minutes or longer.

2. Grill the shrimp: Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high. When just smoking, add shrimp in a single layer. Cook for about 2 minutes until reddish-orange with a golden sear. Flip and cook for 1 ½ to 2 minutes more until opaque.

Hint: Don't overcrowd the pan or grill. Cook in batches if needed for the best sear and flavor.

See detailed instructions in recipe card.

How to Thread Shrimp onto Skewers (for Grilling on an Outdoor Grill)

Grilling shrimp is a fantastic way to enhance their natural flavors. When cooking on an outdoor grill, to ensure they cook evenly and don't fall through the grill grates, threading them onto skewers is essential. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Threading the Shrimp: Use metal or pre-soaked wooden skewers. Pierce each shrimp twice - once near the tail and once near the head. This helps keep them secure and prevents them from spinning while grilling. Any leftover marinade should be discarded, as it has been in contact with raw shrimp.
2. Place on Grill: Arrange the skewered shrimp on the grill, ensuring they are evenly spaced to allow for even cooking.

Substitutions

• Other shrimp varieties: While Argentinian Red shrimp are my favorite, you can use any type of shrimp available to you (even frozen shrimp)
• Seasoning variations: Feel free to add cayenne for heat or experiment with other spice blends like oregano.
• Oil alternatives: While I prefer extra virgin olive oil, you can use avocado oil or grapeseed oil for a higher smoke point.
• Add Additional Ingredients:
  • Sweet Chili Sauce: Add 1 tablespoon of sweet chili sauce to the shrimp for added sweetness, or use it as a dipper for grilled shrimp
  • Garnish with Fresh Basil: Fresh basil adds a summery vibe to this shrimp recipe

Equipment

• Grill pan or outdoor grill
• Bowl for seasoning
• Tongs for flipping shrimp

Storage

Store leftover grilled shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They're delicious cold in pasta salads or gently reheated for tacos or pasta dishes.

Make the Most of Your Leftover Grilled Shrimp

• Shrimp Tacos: Warm the shrimp and stuff them into soft tortillas with fresh salsa, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime. It's a quick healthy meal
• Shrimp Salad: Toss the shrimp over a bed of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette for a refreshing lunch
• Shrimp Sliders: Place the shrimp on small buns with coleslaw and a drizzle of spicy mayo for a fun twist on the classic sandwich
• Shrimp Quesadillas: Layer the shrimp with cheese and veggies between tortillas, then grill until crispy and melty
• Shrimp Pasta Salad: Add cold grilled shrimp to pasta salad and toss

These versatile ideas ensure no shrimp goes to waste and make your meals exciting and delicious!

Top Tips

Here are three easy techniques to help avoid accidentally steaming or overcooking shrimp.  

• Always pat the shrimp completely dry before seasoning
• Ensure your grill or pan is hot before adding the shrimp
• Don't overcrowd the cooking surface - cook in batches if needed
• Watch closely and don't overcook - shrimp cook quickly!
• Experiment with different spice combinations to find your favorite

How to Buy the Best Shrimp (Even If It's Frozen)

Sometimes frozen shrimp can be a better option than buying fresh shrimp, especially if you live in a landlocked area of the country. Follow these basic guidelines for buying the best shrimp, and always try to use sustainable shrimp.

• Buy shrimp from a reputable source like a local fishmonger or mom-and-pop seafood shop.
• Buy fresh (never frozen) shrimp when available and always ask the employee which shrimp is the freshest and how old it is.
• Check all the dates of frozen or fresh shrimp, and don't buy shrimp with very old dates, or you risk getting an inferior product that may even be inedible.
• Smell the shrimp if they'll let you, and if it smells clean and fresh, that's a good sign, but if it smells like ammonia, take a pass and buy something else.
• Check the texture and do not buy shrimp that looks leathery or "shreddy," which indicates it's been frozen too long, stored improperly, or just old.

Red Shrimp vs. Blue, White, Brown, and Tiger Shrimp

Red shrimp varieties are the most tender species of the shrimp family because they have more fat than other varieties of shrimp. These shrimp live in very deep, cold waters (1200-2400ft or 365m-731m) in just a few locations around the world.

It's precisely these conditions that give them their buttery lobster-like texture and uniquely sweet flavor. Red shrimp also cook a bit faster than other types of shrimp because of their fatty flesh, making them a perfect candidate for easy, tasty weeknight meals in minutes.

More Easy Shrimp Recipes 

Looking for more quick shrimp recipes? Here are a few of our favorite ways to cook Argentinian Red shrimp (or any shrimp variety).

Food Safety

• Cook shrimp until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw seafood
• Wash hands after touching raw seafood
• Don't leave seafood at room temperature for extended periods
• Always marinate seafood in the refrigerator, never at room temperature

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.