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With only four ingredients and oodles of flavor, this Grilled Shrimp Seasoning is the ultimate kitchen secret weapon! It uses simple, everyday pantry ingredients to create restaurant-worthy flavor.

Grilled shrimp seasoning skewers on a plate with lemon slices

Why You’ll Love This Easy Seasoning

  • Simple. Not much beats Grilled Shrimp in the summer. This grilled shrimp seasoning only uses four ingredients, three if you discount the salt. I bet you have all of them in your pantry right now. Unlike Shrimp Kabobs with Pineapple, it doesn’t require you to marinate the shrimp either (but I know you’ll love my Grilled Shrimp Marinade too!). You can have this grilled shrimp on your table in no time!
  • Delicious. Despite its modest ingredients list, this seasoning makes some seriously juicy, fabulously flavored grilled garlic shrimp (it even works wonderfully on a grilled Shrimp Burger). It’s the perfect blend of savory, spicy, and herby flavors!
  • Versatile. As with my Air Fryer Shrimp, this simple grilled shrimp will pair nicely with just about any side dish. You can even toss it into salads (like Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad), pastas, rice dishes (like Turmeric Rice), and more!
Grilled shrimp seasoning with lemon juice and fresh herbs

5 Star Review

“Absolutely the best shrimp I’ve ever made, even better than shrimp that I’ve ordered at restaurants. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!”

— Terry —

How to Make Grilled Shrimp Seasoning

The Ingredients

For the Shrimp

  • Shrimp. Protein-rich, quick-cooking, and neutral in flavor, shrimp is a true crowd-pleaser. It tastes ultra delicious when grilled with this simple seasoning.
  • Olive Oil. Helps the seasoning mixture stick to the shrimp.
  • Lemon Juice. Adds brightness and acidity.

For the Seasoning

  • Garlic. Garlic and shrimp are flavor besties. We’ve been here before (ahem, Garlic Shrimp Pasta; Garlic Shrimp with Quinoa; Garlic Butter Shrimp), and we are going back again.
  • Kosher Salt. A seasoning essential.
  • Italian Seasoning. Surprising and delightful with grilled garlic shrimp. I love Italian seasoning because it gives you a mix of herbs and spices in every spoonful.
  • Cayenne. The subtle heat (or not so subtle heat depending upon your preference) comes at the end and will have you reaching for a second helping.

The Directions

  1. Preheat. Preheat the appliance you’re using.
  2. Prepare the Seasoning. Stir until it becomes a paste.
  3. Season the Shrimp. Grill about 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning once halfway through. ENJOY!
Bowls of spices sitting on a white platter

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Grilled shrimp is best enjoyed the day it is made but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • To Reheat. Very gently rewarm shrimp in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
  • To Freeze. Freeze shrimp in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Meal Prep Tip

Like my perfect Salmon Seasoning, you can mix this grilled shrimp seasoning blend up in advance and store it in an airtight container if you like. Then, when it’s time to grill, mix it with a fresh squeeze of lemon, drizzle of olive oil, and your shrimp are ready for the barbie.

Skewers of grilled shrimp with homemade seasoning

Leftover Ideas

Leftover shrimp makes a scrumptious addition to Zucchini Pasta or Homemade Fried Rice.

What to Serve with Grilled Shrimp

The best grilled shrimp seasoning on shrimp that's been skewered

Recipe Tips and Tricks

  • No Grill? No Problem. Don’t let the lack of a grill (or poor grilling weather) hold you back! You can make this recipe without a grill. Use the seasoning to make delicious baked shrimp instead.
  • Know When It’s Done. We want to avoid overcooking our shrimp at all costs. Aside from following the cook time listed in the recipe, you can visually assess your shrimp to make sure you know when it’s done. The shrimp is done when it is lightly pink on the outside and white on the inside.
  • Make Extra. I have the best news ever! You can multiply this seasoning blend by as many times as you like, then store it in a jar. For each pound of shrimp, use 1 tablespoon, plus 1/2 teaspoon. Future you will be so glad you made extra!

Grilled Shrimp Seasoning

4.77 from 59 votes
4-Ingredient Grilled Shrimp Seasoning. Perfect blend of spices for making the best easy grilled shrimp! Use this recipe for grilled shrimp skewers or bake the shrimp in the oven. Great for simple, healthy dinners and party appetizers.

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp Seasoning:

For Grilling:

  • tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice from about 1/2 small lemon
  • 1 pound  shrimp peeled and deveined (use jumbo, 15-18 count shrimp to cook directly on the grill without skewers; if using smaller shrimp, skewer then cook for less time)
  • Canola or vegetable oil for the grill

Instructions
 

  • Preheat an indoor grill pan or outdoor grill to high. To cook the shrimp in the oven, preheat the broiler. If broiling, line a sheet pan with foil and coat with nonstick spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the seasoning ingredients: garlic powder, salt, Italian seasoning, and cayenne. Drizzle in the olive oil and lemon juice and stir into a paste.
  • Add the shrimp and toss to coat. If using smaller shrimp, thread them on metal skewers or wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for at least 1 hour. Brush the grill or grill pan with canola oil. Grill or broil the shrimp, just until pink and opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning once half way through (discard the extra liquid/spices that is left at the bottom of the bowl). Serve immediately.

Notes

  • TO STORE: Grilled shrimp is best enjoyed the day it is made but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I like to use the leftovers on top of salad or tossed with pasta.
  • TO MAKE AHEAD: You can multiply this seasoning blend by as many times as you like, then store it in a jar. For each pound of shrimp, use 1 tablespoon, plus 1/2 teaspoon.
  • Nutritional information is an estimate and had been calculated using half the amount of the spices and marinade to account for the portion that is left in the bottom of the bowl.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 4)Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 23gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 183mgPotassium: 330mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 73IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 1mg

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp to make this recipe. Just make sure that the shrimp is fully thawed and patted dry before using it.

How Long Does It Take to Grill Shrimp?

For jumbo shrimp (which is what this recipe calls for), it will take about 4 to 6 minutes to grill shrimp. However, every grill is different, so I strongly recommend checking your shrimp early and often. Shrimp will overcook quickly!

Why Is My Shrimp Tough and Chewy?

If your shrimp has become tough and chewy, it was likely overcooked. It’s important that you follow the cook time listed and remove your shrimp early if needed. While the texture may be off, the flavor should still be delicious!

Can I Use the Seasoning On Other Proteins?

Absolutely! I think this seasoning would be tasty on other seafood (like salmon or scallops) and meats (like chicken).

More Delicious Shrimp Recipes

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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Recipe Rating





76 Comments

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  1. We just finally bought a grill this year, and I am SO excited to finally be able to grill skewers/kabobs for summer!!

  2. hey girl- this makes me sooo hungry for shrimp right now! Supper time! Y’all have a great weekend! I’ll be going to a bake sale tomorrow for our church kids they are raising money for camp next month! I made choc. chip cookies and peanut butter oatmeal cookies (yummy).

  3. Hi Erin! This one was not a winner for me, sorry lady! I think it was the Italian Seasoning that didn’t win me over. But the cayenne provided a nice heat to it and they were super easy to make!3 stars

    1. Hi Cat! I’m sorry this didn’t hit the spot for you. Maybe next time you can try it without Italian seasoning. Regardless, I know it’s disappointing to try a new recipe and not have it come out as expected, so I wish you would have loved it!

      1. Oh I definitely will try it again without the Italian Seasoning. I wouldn’t call this a disappointment. Half of the fun of cooking is trying new things – even if they aren’t what you expected! (Plus, I usually make a smaller batch when I try something new so if I don’t love it, I don’t feel like I wasted a lot.)

  4. Delicious!  Cooked on the grill and served with basmati rice and grilled zucchini. Everything came together quickly and it was the perfect light meal. Looking forward to making this a lot this summer.5 stars

    1. Thank you so much for the positive feedback, Kerrie! I am thrilled it will be a regular in your meal rotation this summer. Enjoy!

  5. Tested this out for Memorial Day and we loved it! Going to serve to my guests with veggie skewers on the side. Thanks for an easy recipe!5 stars

  6. Erin, I followed your recipe adding paprika and a bit less cayenne to the blend.  I couldn’t resist throwing a few skewers of fresh mushrooms and baby sweet peppers also dusted in the shrimp seasoning, onto the grill.  Best kabobs ever!  We stuffed it all into grilled pita bread and spooned in my homemade zitziki sauce.  Sooo good! I want to experiment and try this blend on boneless chicken!5 stars

    1. Hi Alan! Thank you so much for the positive feedback! Your mushroom/sweet pepper skewers sound incredibly delicious. Let me know what you think if you try the spice blend with chicken – enjoy!

  7. Super easy and super delicious just as described! This will become a weeknight staple this summer!5 stars

  8. This was seriously amazing. My husband, 14-year-old son and I practically fought each other over the shrimp when if came off the grill. I followed the recipe exactly and will again and again!  Soooo good! Thank you!!!5 stars

  9. First time in this website and of course, making this recipe! Delicious! Used 2 lbs of shrimp with the same amount of seasoning and it was just right for my MIL and me. We are doing the OPTAVIA diet so this went perfect with our salad! Thank you! 5 stars

  10. Wow that was super good! Im going to have it as my starter plate when my family comes in town. Instead of the kosher salt i used Mr Binghams seasoning and i really think it made it just near perfect.5 stars

      1. Hi Bryan! If you want to make the shrimp in the oven, preheat your broiler, then broil the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes per side or until pink and opaque. I hope this helps and that you love the recipe!

  11. Delicious! Super flavorful with just the right amount of kick. Seasoning would be great on chicken too.5 stars

  12. These shrimp are so delicious!  Cooks very quickly and no mess.  Such great flavor and nice and easy to make.  Loved using the skewers.  Thanks for your recipe!5 stars

    1. YAY! I’m so happy to hear that this recipe was a hit, Karen! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!

  13. This was absolutely amazing.  I replaced the cayenne with chipotle  powder (not any moment of brilliance, pure accident).  Use the same approach with some catfish fillets that I finished in the oven.  As good as the shrimp was, the catfish was even better, so this recipe isn’t just limited to shrimp!  I can’t wait to try it with other meats. 5 stars

    1. YAY! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this seasoning, Jessica! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!

  14. Thank you Erin! Was looking for simple and delicious shrimp recipe yesterday and this one delivered! Unfortunately my store did not have fresh shrimp, so had to use frozen which still tasted great. I used only 1/4 tsp of cayenne and it still had a good kick. I will definitely add this to my dinner rotation.5 stars

  15. I substituted French Provençal herbs instead of Italian herbs and it has a great taste.5 stars

    1. Hi Roberto! If you want to make the shrimp in the oven, preheat your broiler, then broil the shrimp on a sheet pan for about 2-3 minutes per side or until pink and opaque. I hope this helps and that you love the recipe!

  16. We tried this last week and thoroughly enjoyed our shrimp dinner I had gotten colossal shrimp and it worked out great for them, thank you for the super simple seasoning for shrimp! we will have more often, we do eat a lot of chicken and I am wondering how this goes on Chicken?

    Thank you very much!5 stars

    1. I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Mollie! I haven’t tried it on chicken myself, but I think it sounds tasty. If you decide to try it, I’d love to hear how it goes!

  17. I don’t have a grill yet I moved recently
    And I don’t want to use the oven necessarily
    Can I cook these on the stove top in skillet?

    1. Hi Carrey, I haven’t tried using this recipe for skillet shrimp, so you would be experimenting. Have you seen this https://www.wellplated.com/garlic-butter-shrimp/ It’s made in the skillet! Hope this helps!

  18. Very good and very easy to make definitely would recommend and definitely will make this again 👍👍5 stars

    1. Hi Jon, you will use 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined. This is raw shrimp because you will be cooking them on the grill. Hope you enjoy the recipe if you decide to try it out!

  19. Really good! I deceased the salt by half and every one loved it. Will make again. Thank you for the recipe5 stars

  20. The seasoning recommended here was absolutely terrific. I just polished off a pound of grilled shrimp all by myself. This is now my go to for grilled shrimp.5 stars

  21. I have made shrimp a variety of ways and am usually disappointed. After using this simple recipe and being careful about the time I grilled the shrimp I was blown away!! Absolutely the best shrimp I’ve ever made, even better than shrimp that I’ve ordered at restaurants. I’m so relieved and won’t be shying away from preparing shrimp in the future. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
    Terry L

  22. The best shrimp I’ve ever made at home. I could have eaten the entire pound of shrimp, but unfortunately, had to share it with my family. This will become a regular rotation in our household. I followed the recipe exactly as written, and it turned out perfect.5 stars

  23. I liked the simplicity of the recipe. I had all the ingredients on hand and didn’t need to wait to grill. My only note is the salt content was a bit high for me. Next time I’ll choose 1/4 tsp instead a a whole tsp. Otherwise it was great!4 stars

  24. Followed exactly well except I used 1/2 tsp salt. We all loved it. Just the perfect seasoning. Not too spicy. Just right. Thank you!5 stars

  25. This is exactly the kind of flavor I was craving. This seasoning recipe is so delicious, my whole family loved it. We like to dip the grilled shrimp in butter spread and it was just a tad bit too salty but not overpowering. I would cut down on the salt by 1/4.5 stars

    1. Hi Angelo! Did you make sure to use kosher salt? Any other kind will result in a saltier flavor than intended. Glad you enjoyed the flavor!