Crispy whole grilled shrimp served on a platter with lemon wedges

Crispy Whole Grilled Shrimp: A Simple & Delicious Recipe

Name: Crispy Whole Grilled Shrimp: A Simple & Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 500 g Whole shrimp with shells and heads (medium size) - fresh or thawed; 2 tbsp Olive oil - extra virgin for best flavor; 3 piece Garlic cloves - finely minced; 1 tsp Paprika (smoked or sweet); 1 tsp Salt - fine sea salt preferred; 0.5 tsp Black pepper - freshly ground; 1 piece Lemon wedges for serving

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easy

10 min

Nutritional value per serving

Calories250kcal

Carbs2gram

Fat5gram

Protein25gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Whole shrimp with shells and heads (medium size) - fresh or thawed500 g
Olive oil - extra virgin for best flavor2 tbsp
Garlic cloves - finely minced3 piece
Paprika (smoked or sweet)1 tsp
Salt - fine sea salt preferred1 tsp
Black pepper - freshly ground0.5 tsp
Lemon wedges for serving1 piece

This recipe shows you how to grill whole shrimp until crispy and delicious using accessible ingredients and straightforward steps. The total cost of ingredients is approximately $15 USD / €13 / £11 / ₹1100. The dish contains roughly 250 kcal per serving and suits a low-carb diet. It is easy to prepare and takes about 30 minutes, including prep and grilling time. Perfect for a quick, flavorful seafood dish that's safe and satisfying.

Preparation instructions

Prepare the shrimp

1Rinse the whole shrimp under cold running water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Keeping them dry helps achieve a crispy texture on the grill. Handle shrimp with clean hands and avoid cross-contamination by washing your hands and utensils after handling raw seafood.

Marinate the shrimp

2In a bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss the dried shrimp in this mixture until they are evenly coated. Let them marinate for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Preheat the grill

3Heat your grill to medium-high heat (approximately 190-230°C / 375-450°F). Make sure the grill grates are clean and well-oiled to prevent sticking.

Grill the shrimp

4Place the shrimp directly on the grill grates perpendicular to the bars to prevent falling through. Grill for about 2-3 minutes on each side with the grill lid closed. Turn shrimp once when the underside turns pink and slightly charred.

Check for doneness

5Shrimp are fully cooked when they’re opaque and firm to the touch, and the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F). Avoid overcooking to keep them juicy and tender.

Serve

6Transfer the grilled whole shrimp to a serving platter. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over the shrimp for a burst of freshness.

Cooking Tips

-If you don't have a grill, you can use a grill pan on the stovetop to achieve similar results.

-Using whole shrimp with shells keeps them juicy and flavorful while grilling, and the shells become crispy.

-To avoid cross-contamination, clean surfaces and wash hands thoroughly after handling raw shrimp.

-Do not discard the heads if you like - they add extra flavor and some people enjoy eating them when grilled crispy.

Equipment Needed

Grill or grill pan
Tongs
Mixing bowl
Kitchen thermometer (recommended for safety)

Grocery Shopping List

[ ] 500g whole shrimp (fresh or frozen) - Choose firm, translucent shrimp with a fresh ocean smell, avoiding any with a strong fishy odor.
[ ] Extra virgin olive oil (~$0.50) - Look for cold-pressed, good-quality oil for best flavor.
[ ] Garlic cloves (~$0.30 for 3 cloves) - Fresh garlic adds great aroma.
[ ] Paprika (~$0.20 for 1 tsp) - Can use smoked or sweet depending on your preference.
[ ] Fine sea salt (~$0.10 for 1 tsp)
[ ] Black pepper (~$0.10 for 0.5 tsp) - Freshly ground is best.
[ ] 1 lemon (~$0.50) - Bright and firm, free of blemishes.