Bbq Frozen Shrimp: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Grilled shrimp is a delicious and healthy meal option, perfect for a summer cookout or a quick and flavourful meal. It is one of the fastest things you can cook on the grill, taking less than 5 minutes to char and season to perfection. You can even grill them straight from the freezer, with no thawing required! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen medium shrimp on the BBQ.

How to cook frozen medium shrimp on the BBQ

How to prepare the shrimp for grilling

Before you start grilling your shrimp, there are a few essential steps to follow to ensure they turn out perfectly. Here's a detailed guide on preparing frozen medium shrimp for the BBQ:

Defrosting and Cleaning:

While you can grill shrimp directly from frozen, it's recommended to defrost them first. To do this, place the frozen shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them. Keep rinsing and turning the shrimp until they are completely thawed. This method helps remove any ice crystals and separates any shrimp that are frozen together. Alternatively, you can also defrost shrimp by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or using a sealed plastic bag with cold running water.

Once they're thawed, make sure to pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. This step is crucial to ensure that the shrimp don't stick to the grill.

Skewering:

To make your life easier when grilling, it's a good idea to thread the shrimp onto skewers. This helps with turning and handling the shrimp, ensuring even cooking. If you're using wooden or bamboo skewers, remember to soak them in warm or cold water for about 10-30 minutes before placing them on the grill. Soaking prevents the skewers from burning up or catching fire during grilling.

Seasoning:

Before placing the shrimp on the grill, it's time to add some flavour! Drizzle or brush the shrimp with olive oil, melted butter, or another oil of your choice. This step helps prevent the shrimp from drying out during grilling and creates a barrier between the shrimp and the grill grates.

Next, sprinkle your favourite seasonings and herbs over the shrimp. You can go with a simple sprinkle of salt and pepper, or try something more adventurous like Cajun seasoning, Italian spices, or a homemade spice blend. Make sure to coat both sides of the shrimp with the seasonings.

Final Preparations:

By now, your grill should be preheated to medium-high heat (around 350-450°F). This temperature ensures even cooking and prevents the shrimp from sticking to the grill. If you're using a charcoal grill, you'll get a distinct flavour that's hard to beat!

Place the skewered shrimp directly on the grill, ensuring they are in a single layer. Close the lid and let the shrimp cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Keep a close eye on them to prevent overcooking, as shrimp cook quickly.

Grilled shrimp are ready when they turn pink and opaque, with slightly charred grill marks. Once they're cooked to perfection, remove them from the grill and give them a final sprinkle of your favourite seasonings for an extra punch of flavour.

And that's it! You're now ready to serve and enjoy your perfectly grilled shrimp. They go great as an appetizer, on a bed of salad, or alongside grilled vegetables. Happy grilling!

The best way to thaw frozen shrimp

There are a few different ways to thaw frozen shrimp, depending on how much time you have. The best method is to transfer the shrimp from the freezer to the fridge the day before you plan to cook it. This allows the shrimp to thaw gradually. Place the bag of frozen shrimp on a paper towel-lined baking sheet or platter to soak up any leaks from the bag. Shrimp needs at least 12 hours to thaw, and larger shrimp may take longer.

If you're short on time, you can use the cold water method. Fill a large bowl with cold water and submerge the unopened bag of shrimp, using a plate to weigh it down. It will take 20-45 minutes to thaw, depending on the size of the shrimp. If you're really in a hurry, you can open the bag and place the shrimp directly into the water, which will take 10-20 minutes. However, this method may cause the shrimp to absorb excess water, so be sure to pat them dry before cooking.

Never thaw shrimp at room temperature, as this can cause harmful bacteria to develop. Avoid using hot water, as this can encourage bacteria growth and start to cook the shrimp, resulting in a chewy texture. Similarly, do not use a microwave to thaw shrimp, as this can partially cook it and make it bouncy and chewy.

Seasoning and coating the shrimp

There are many ways to season and coat your shrimp before grilling. Here are some options:

• Brush the shrimp with butter or olive oil. This will help prevent them from drying out during grilling and create a barrier to avoid sticking to the grill.
• Sprinkle your preferred seasonings and herbs over the shrimp. Common choices include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ensure to coat both sides of the shrimp.
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp before or after grilling for an extra burst of flavor.
• For a different flavor, brush the shrimp with homemade teriyaki sauce before and after grilling.
• Marinate the shrimp in a variety of marinades such as garlic and lemon, teriyaki, or Cajun seasoning.
• For a simple, fresh, and clean option, brush the shrimp with freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice and sprinkle with kosher salt on both sides.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for grilling frozen medium shrimp depend on several factors, including the type of grill, the desired level of doneness, and personal preference. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve perfectly grilled shrimp:

Step 1: Prepare Your Grill

Set your grill to medium-high heat, aiming for a temperature range of 350-450°F (175-205°C). This temperature range is crucial for cooking the shrimp thoroughly while maintaining their tenderness.

Step 2: Skewer the Shrimp

Place your frozen medium shrimp on skewers, positioning them lengthwise to ensure even heat distribution. If using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.

Step 3: Baste and Season the Shrimp

Lightly brush or baste the shrimp with oil, butter, or a mixture of melted butter and lime juice. This helps prevent drying out during grilling and adds flavour. Sprinkle your desired seasonings on both sides of the shrimp. You can use Italian seasoning, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, or Cajun or Italian spices.

Step 4: Grill the Shrimp

Place the skewered shrimp directly on the preheated grill, ensuring a single layer. Grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side for a total cooking time of 4-6 minutes. Keep a close eye on the shrimp to prevent overcooking. The shrimp are ready when they turn pink and opaque, with slight char marks. If you prefer a crispier outer shell, add an additional minute or two to each side, but be careful not to overcook.

Step 5: Remove and Serve

Once the shrimp are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the grill. You can enhance their flavour by squeezing some fresh lemon or lime juice over them or sprinkling additional seasonings. Serve your grilled shrimp as an appetiser, salad topping, or alongside grilled vegetables.

Remember, the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the exact temperature of your grill and your desired level of doneness. Always keep a close eye on the shrimp to avoid overcooking, as this can result in rubbery shrimp. Enjoy your perfectly grilled, juicy, and flavourful shrimp!

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve grilled shrimp. Here are some ideas:

• Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the shrimp.
• Serve with crusty French bread to mop up the juices.
• Serve with rice and grilled vegetables, such as asparagus, peppers, onions, corn, or green beans.
• Serve on a bed of whole grains, like seasoned quinoa, farro, coconut rice, cilantro lime rice, or polenta.
• Serve with pasta, such as orzo or couscous.
• Serve with a salad, such as a chopped salad, Italian salad, strawberry salad, watermelon feta salad, or cucumber salad.
• Serve in tacos.
• Serve with grilled garlic butter shrimp.
• Serve with a cool, creamy sauce for dipping.
• Toss with pasta for shrimp scampi.
• Add to grain salads.
• Serve with grilled lobster tails.
• Serve with grilled salmon.
• Serve with a cold beer.

Frequently asked questions