Description
This Spicy Grilled Shrimp recipe is bold, flavorful, and incredibly simple. With a smoky paprika kick, a touch of cayenne heat, and a bright lemon finish, it’s perfect for summer grilling or quick weeknight dinners. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish is juicy, zesty, and pairs well with anything from salads to tacos.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika (use smoked for deeper flavor)
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice (or lime juice for variation)
- 2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 lemon wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, combine garlic, salt, paprika, cayenne, olive oil, and lemon juice. Stir well.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Place the shrimp in a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the shrimp and toss to coat evenly. Let sit for 10–30 minutes.
- Prepare the Grill: Heat grill to medium-high. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning.
- Skewer and Grill: Thread shrimp onto skewers. Grill for 2–3 minutes per side, or until pink and slightly charred. Don’t overcook!
- Serve: Remove from grill, garnish with lemon wedges, and serve hot. Enjoy with rice, salad, or inside warm tortillas.
Notes
For a milder flavor, reduce cayenne or replace with chili flakes. Want it extra spicy? Add a few dashes of hot sauce to the marinade. Great served hot off the grill or cold in shrimp salad. To store, refrigerate cooked shrimp in a sealed container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 165mg