4-Minute Perfectly Grilled Argentinian Red Shrimp

Hold onto your aprons, folks! We're about to take these sweet tender shrimp on little a flavor adventure. In this grilled red shrimp recipe, we're adding a kiss of smoky goodness before a lightning-fast 4-minute rendezvous with a hot grill pan. And if you're feeling extra adventurous? Toss them on the outdoor grill for an extra layer of that irresistible charred flavor.

As a private chef who's lived and cooked around the world, I've learned that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most satisfying. This grilled red shrimp recipe is a perfect example - it's low-calorie, quick, easy, and absolutely delicious.

Whether you're a busy parent looking for a healthy weeknight dinner or someone who wants to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen, this dish has got you covered.
If you love this recipe, you might also enjoy our Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta or our Garlicky Shrimp Scampi.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• How to Serve Grilled Shrimp
• Make the Most of Your Leftover Grilled Shrimp
• Top Tips
• How to Buy the Best Shrimp (Even If It's Frozen)
• The Difference Between Red Shrimp and Other Shrimp Varieties (blue, white, brown, tiger, etc.)
• Related Recipes 
•  FAQs
• Recipe
• Food Safety

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)

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 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

Variations

• Scallops: Their delicate texture soaks up the marinade seasoning beautifully.
• Squid: Adds a tasty twist to calamari when grilled.
• Salmon: The marinade seasoning brings out a rich, savory, smoky flavor in salmon

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.

How to Serve Grilled Shrimp

This shrimp makes a delicious healthy salad topper and low-calorie protein for your favorite shrimp pasta dish, but that's not where the deliciousness ends! Grilled shrimp are incredibly versatile -- here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:

• Shrimp Tacos: In corn or flour tortillas with fresh salsa and avocado
• Zoodle and Grilled Shrimp Salad: Tossed with zucchini noodles for a low-carb meal
• Shrimp Sliders: On sliders with a zesty slaw or plain lettuce and chipotle mayo
• Loaded Baked Potato with Shrimp: Finish with chives and bacon bits
• Shrimp Caesar Salad: Add lean protein to your typical chicken caesar salad

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.  

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 start with 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.

Related Recipes 

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

• 4-Minute Perfect Pan-Seared Shrimp
  The Best Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
  Easy + Delicious Shrimp Au Gratin (Gamberi Gratinati)
  Anniversary Pasta (Spicy Shrimp Tomato-Alfredo Sauce w/Rigatoni)
• Easy Shrimp and Vegetable Stir Fry (w/Cantonese Style White Sauce)
• 4-Minute Perfect Pan-Seared Shrimp
• Shrimp Scampi for Two (or a Crowd)
• 15-Minute Shrimp Pasta w/Garganelli (the Italian Way)
• Triple Shrimp Trighetto Pasta (Creamy Shrimp Pasta)
• Dim Sum Har Gow Shrimp Dumplings (虾饺) (The Ultimate Guide)
• Cajun Style Royal Red Shrimp Pasta for One (or a crowd)
• Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Shrimp
• How to Make Featherlight Fried Shrimp 4 Ways (we tested so you don’t have to)

 FAQs

1. What's the difference between red shrimp and regular shrimp? Red shrimp varieties, like Argentinian Red shrimp, are known for their sweeter taste and more tender texture due to higher fat content. They live in deep, cold waters, which contributes to their unique flavor profile.
2. How do I know when the shrimp are done cooking? Shrimp are cooked when they turn opaque and form a 'C' shape. For this recipe, they should be reddish-orange with a golden sear, which takes about 2 minutes per side.
3. Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe? Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before seasoning and grilling.
4. How do I prevent my shrimp from becoming rubbery? The key is not to overcook them. Shrimp cook very quickly, usually in 4-5 minutes total. Remove them from the heat as soon as they're opaque throughout.
5. Can I prepare the shrimp in advance? You can season the shrimp up to a day in advance and keep them refrigerated. However, for the best texture, I recommend grilling them just before serving.
6. What texture should perfectly grilled shrimp have? Shrimp should be tender and springy when perfectly cooked. See Top Tips for how to avoid rubbery, overcooked shrimp.
7. American Royal Red Shrimp's scientific name is pleoticus robustus native to the Gulf Coast, the Keys, and even Connecticut.

Let's get started!

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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.