Marinated Grilled Shrimp

By Amy Dong
Updated Jul. 2, 2024

Welcome to this tender and succulent Marinated Grilled Shrimp. It’s a 15-Minute meal that’s quick to make and even quicker to disappear.

Marinated grilled shrimp plated and garnished. — Marinated Grilled Shrimp takes less than 15 minutes to make and is packed with savory, umami flavor.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

It’s time to fire up the grill and make all of our favorite summer dishes, like this Marinated Grilled Shrimp. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:

Super Quick: Shrimp is the perfect choice for super speedy dinners. It takes just 45-60 seconds (not minutes…seconds!) on each side to grill.
Flavorful Marinade: The shrimp are covered in a marinade that’s closer to a sauce, packed with flavorful ingredients like fresh lime juice, pure honey and soy sauce.
Healthy: Not only is Marinated Grilled Shrimp easy, it’s also packed with lean protein, iodine, and zinc – the perfect healthy meal!
Fire up the Grill: Grilling shrimp provides us with the perfect opportunity to make all our favorite grilled sides like Grilled Zucchini.

Key Recipe Ingredients

Marinated grilled shrimp sauce in a bowl.

Shrimp – We prefer jumbo shrimp as they’re easier to grill, but you could also use large shrimp. Just make sure they’re skewered so they don’t fall through when grilling.
Butter – An essential for seafood, butter brings amazing flavor and aroma to this dish.
Pure Honey – Honey not only provides sweetness, it also gives the shrimp a nice glaze, helping it char to perfection.
Sriracha – Sriracha gives grilled shrimp a kick of sweet spice.
Soy Sauce – Umami flavor balances the sweetness of the honey and richness of the butter.
Lime Juice – We use fresh lime juice for bright, citrusy flavor. It also tenderizes the shrimp, the longer it sits on it.

Substitutions And Variations

Check out these variations for Marinated Grilled Shrimp that allow us to make this dish on repeat:

Make it Spicy: For spicier grilled shrimp, add a pinch of Cayenne Pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or even more Sriracha to the sauce.
Double up the Citrus: If you want even more citrus flavor, feel free to zest your lime as well. You could also use lemon if you prefer.
Change the Sauce: Try swapping the marinade for a simple garlic butter sauce like we use in this 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp. We also love the pairing of Thai Sweet Chili Sauce with shrimp that we used in our Grilled Shrimp Kabobs recipe.
Broil the Shrimp: Can’t fire up the grill at the moment? No problem! Just cook shrimp under the broiler for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

In a saucepan, whisk together all sauce ingredients (except lime juice) until butter is melted.
Remove sauce from heat, whisk in lime juice, and cover to keep warm.
Grease your grill and heat over medium-high heat.
Toss towel-dried shrimp with salt and pepper.
Grill shrimp for 45-60 seconds on each side.
Toss shrimp with sauce and garnish as desired. Enjoy!

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

Here are our favorite prep-ahead strategies for Grilled Shrimp:

Thaw the Shrimp: If you’re starting with frozen shrimp, take them out the night before and let them thaw in the fridge. You can also quickly thaw shrimp by placing them in a colander and running cool water over them.
Soak the Skewers: If using skewers, soak them in a bowl of water for a couple hours before grilling. This will ensure the wood doesn’t burn.
Make the Sauce: The sauce will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just let it cool completely before storing, and warm up on the stove or in the microwave before tossing with the shrimp.
Make the Shrimp: While shrimp is best enjoyed fresh off the grill, you can make it up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Marinated grilled shrimp served with sauce.

What To Serve With Marinated Grilled Shrimp

Starches

Marinated Shrimp is amazing served next to this fluffy Coconut Rice or this vibrant Cilantro Lime Rice.
Craving a pasta side? Serve shrimp with Pasta Primavera or Creamy Avocado Pasta.

Cooked Veggies

As long as you have the grill ready, make this super easy Grilled Zucchini to serve alongside this dish.
We also love this Perfect Air Fryer Broccoli and these Honey Sriracha Roasted Brussels Sprouts served with any seafood dinner.

Salads

For a fresh, summery side, try this Kale Brussel Sprouts Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing.
We can’t get enough of this Caprese Pasta Salad with Basil Pesto served next to grilled dishes in the summer.

Commonly Asked Questions

How long does marinated grilled shrimp keep?

Store Marinated Grilled Shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm.

How do I know when my shrimp are cooked?

You’ll know your shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque. If you’re wanting to play it safe, you can check their internal temp. When they reach 145F, they’re done! Make sure to keep a close eye on the shrimp as they’re grilling. They take only up to 1 minute on each side and can quickly overcook.

How do I know if I overcooked my shrimp?

When shrimp are overcooked, they turn from opaque pink to more of a solid pinkish-white color. The texture will be tough or chewy rather than tender and succulent.

Can I marinade my shrimp in the sauce instead of pouring it on at the end?

Yes! Keep in mind, you’ll only want to marinate shrimp for 30 minutes to 3 hours. After that, they tend to get over-tenderized. Make sure to keep shrimp in the fridge while marinating.

Is marinated grilled shrimp gluten-free?

Just make sure your Sriracha brand is gluten-free, and replace the soy sauce with Tamari; and you’ll have a 100% gluten-free meal.

Did you make this?

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