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Home Prawns/Shrimp

Crispy Grilled Shrimp (Prawns) with Lemon Garlic Butter

By:Nagi
Published:24 Jun '19Updated:24 Jun '20
105 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

The most amazing Grilled Shrimp is CRISPY on the outside, juicy on the inside, and doused with Lemon Garlic Butter. They’re all MINE!!

And…. welcome to GRILLING WEEK!!🔥🔥🔥

Close up of freshly cooked Crispy Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce on a plate, ready to be served

🔥Welcome to GRILLING WEEK!🔥

With 4th of July around the corner and several pending invitations to “pop over to the States” to join the festivities, I thought I’d get the party started with GRILLING WEEK here on RecipeTin Eats!!

Here’s a little preview of what’s in store – if this doesn’t make your stomach grumble, you’re either made of stone, or a vegetarian…. 😂

And we’re kicking off Grilling Week with a ripper – CRISPY Grilled Shrimp with LEMON GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE!!


Grilled Shrimp

This Grilled Shrimp recipe is designed to make the most of cooking shrimp on the BBQ. It has it all!

  • TEXTURE – from the crispy surface of the shrimp and little golden bits of garlic in the butter sauce

  • FLAVOUR – from the smokey char from the BBQ, seasoning on the shrimp, the shrimp itself and of course, butter, butter, butter…

  • LUXURY – from the rich butter sauce

  • SPEED – it’s a 10 minute recipe, from start to finish!

Crispy Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce with a side of crusty bread, ready to be eaten

What you need

VERY little!

I used to be a fresh prawn/shrimp snob because I always found the texture and flavour of frozen shrimp lacking compared to peeling fresh ones. But nowadays, you can get very good frozen peel shrimp and that’s what I use on a day to day basis.

Shrimp versus prawns

Same thing! What the US and Canada call “shrimp” is called “prawns” in most of the rest of the world. Being Aussie, I usually write my recipes as “prawn” first and foremost, but today’s recipe is for my friends in the US so it’s SHRIMP all the way!

Ingredients in Crispy Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

How to cook it

Very speedy! Specifically for this recipe, there is:

  • no marinating needed. In fact, you should NOT season ahead of time because it will draw moisture out of the shrimp

  • 6 minutes total cook time – 2 minutes for the butter, 4 minutes for the shrimp on the BBQ

The only thing to watch out for is to ensure you do not overcook the shrimp! Overcooked shrimp is tough and rubbery – if you throw it at a wall, it’ll bounce right back and hit you in the face. 😂

How to make Crispy Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

Stove? Oven?

100% yes for the stove. In fact, I had to rephotograph it today because I wasn’t happy with the photos (who me? Fussy? 🤪) but it’s raining so I cooked it inside. Same crust, same flavour!

But the oven is a no-go zone I’m afraid – just can’t get the same crust because of the short cook time.

The shrimp is just the first part….

The really great thing about this Grilled Shrimp recipe is that it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Eat the juicy shrimp first…….

Close up of from piercing crispy prawns cooked on the BBQ with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

……..then you get to mop up all that gorgeous Lemon Garlic Butter with crusty bread……

Bread being dipped into Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce served with Grilled Shrimp

O.M.G.

I hate to talk like a teenager, but sometimes the occasion warrants it.

I feel like this shrimp is one such occasion!! 😂 – Nagi x

Close up of spoon drizzling Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce over grilled shrimp / prawns

Watch how to make it

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Close up of spoon drizzling Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce over grilled shrimp / prawns

Crispy Grilled Shrimp (Prawns) with Lemon Butter Sauce

Author: Nagi
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Total: 15 minutes mins
BBQ, Mains
Western
4.98 from 38 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
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Recipe video above. Seasoned and CRISPY on the outside, juicy on the inside, drizzled with a simple-yet-incredible lemon butter sauce, you'll love the little crispy little golden garlic bits in the sauce! This is a recipe made for the BBQ, but works great on the stove too (Note 4).

Ingredients

Lemon Garlic Butter:

  • 90g / 6 tbsp butter , unsalted
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 tsp garlic , very finely chopped (do not use mincer, Note 1)
  • 1.5 tbsp lemon juice , plus more to taste

Shrimp/Prawns:

  • 500g/ 1 lb large shrimp / prawns , raw, peeled and deveined (Note 2)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (plain or sweet ok too)
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (skip if using stove)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Serving (optional):

  • 1 lemon , halved, grilled if desired
  • Lemon wedges or slices
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley

Instructions

Preparation:

  • Brush BBQ grills with oil, then preheat on high until very hot.
  • If shrimp are small and might fall through grills, skewer them (use 2 skewers, Note 3)

Make Sauce:

  • Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium high heat.
  • Add garlic and salt. Stir until garlic is LIGHT golden brown, then immediately remove from stove (residual heat will make garlic golden & crispy).
  • Stir through lemon.

Shrimp/Prawns (Stove: Note 4):

  • Pat shrimp dry with paper towels (to ensure crispiness!)
  • Just prior to cooking, place in bowl, sprinkle/drizzle over remaining ingredients. Toss gently to coat.
  • Working quickly, place shrimp on BBQ and cook each side for 2 minutes until golden and crusty.
  • Immediately remove shrimp onto serving plate.

Serving:

  • Drizzle over all the Lemon Garlic Butter, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately with fresh lemon.
  • Crusty bread to mop up the crazy delish butter on the plate is essential!

Recipe Notes:

1. Garlic - don't use a mincer/garlic crusher, the garlic will burn too quickly before the butter infuses with garlic flavour. Best to finely chop. Plus, we want little crispy golden bits of garlic in the sauce!
2. Shrimp/prawns - "shrimp" in the US and Canada is called "prawns" in most of the rest of the world. If using frozen, thaw completely and drain excess water (I use frozen). Use large/jumbo, so they don't fall through grills (~22 - 25).
3. Skewering - if using small shrimp/prawns, consider skewering them so they don't fall though grills and you can turn a whole row in one go.
Use TWO skewers per row ie skewer each shrimp twice, so they do not spin around. If using bamboo skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes before using.
4. Cooking: Do not leave shrimp/prawns sitting around for longer than 10 minutes after coating in seasoning. It will draw out moisture form the prawns.
Stove: Omit lemon juice from prawns. Spread just 1 - 2 tsp oil in large heavy based skillet over high heat. Place half shrimp in skillet and cook per recipe. Lemon butter can be cooked in same skillet afterwards, but be sure to lower heat to medium high.
5. Nutrition per serving, assuming every drop of the butter is mopped up!

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 339cal (17%)Carbohydrates: 4g (1%)Protein: 26g (52%)Fat: 24g (37%)Saturated Fat: 10g (63%)Cholesterol: 355mg (118%)Sodium: 575mg (25%)Potassium: 168mg (5%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 920IU (18%)Vitamin C: 26.2mg (32%)Calcium: 199mg (20%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
Keywords: BBQ prawns, Grilled shrimp
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

Life of Dozer

I took most of the prawns I made earlier today to Geoff, the local who lives in his car at the dog park.

He approved!

Neither Dozer nor his companion Cleo got to try it. Too much garlic, bad for dogs!

Dozer the golden retriever dog homeless man at dog park Bayview - grilled shrimp / prawns

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Grilled Garlic Bread

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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105 Comments

  1. Anita says

    January 2, 2023 at 1:20 am

    5 stars
    I made this recipe last night with your steak kabob recipe for a New Year’s Eve surf and turf. My family raved. They didn’t just ask for the recipe; they asked for the website so they can try more of your recipes.

    Reply
  2. Jack M says

    July 31, 2022 at 1:02 pm

    5 stars
    Sooo delish and so easy! Thanks Nagi!

    Reply
  3. Joanne says

    July 29, 2022 at 4:20 am

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi and Dozer. I hope you both are well. I absolutely love your recipe for crispy grilled prawns with lemon and garlic butter sauce. I must admit that I don’t like
    large prawns, so I made a little change to the recipe for my taste. Thank you so much for this recipe…..I make this at least twice a month 💗. Stay safe and well. XOXO, Jo

    Reply
  4. chelesa says

    July 21, 2022 at 12:45 am

    5 stars
    This is the BEST prawn recipe ever- perfect blend of seasoning- didnt even need sauce…and so so easy! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Blitzo says

    June 14, 2022 at 7:50 am

    Wow! this recipe is very interesting specially for those beginner. I hope you can post many recipes here.

    Reply
  6. Bill B says

    January 17, 2022 at 6:06 pm

    @Nagi – HELP! I want to cook this one but can’t figure out why the photos show the sauce has red bits in it – doesn’t seem to come from the recipe. What’s missing?

    Reply
    • Vera says

      May 6, 2022 at 7:04 am

      The recipe uses paprika and cayenne.

      Reply
  7. Richard wells says

    December 25, 2021 at 5:17 pm

    5 stars
    First time I have done this
    Wow superb, I added some chilli as well, will add that to favourite list !

    Reply
  8. Pablo V says

    November 21, 2021 at 4:22 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious recipe. Tried this and was great. Family loved the Prawns (or Shrimp)!

    Reply
  9. Claudia H says

    September 5, 2021 at 7:12 pm

    This dish was amazing, It tasted so good and was a hit with all the family.

    Reply
  10. Clare says

    August 21, 2021 at 8:32 pm

    This was insanely delicious and sooo easy. We ate ours on flatbreads with tzatziki and salad and ate them like wraps. I can’t wait to make it again!

    Reply
  11. Negar says

    August 7, 2021 at 12:30 pm

    We love this, my daughter is a big fan of this recipe. Thanks

    Reply
  12. Terri Smith says

    August 1, 2021 at 4:35 am

    5 stars
    OMG is right! We had this last night and it is hands down the Best Prawn recipe I have ever had! A 5**** restaurant could not provide a better prawn dish!

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      August 2, 2021 at 4:03 pm

      WOOT!! Thanks os much Terri!! N x

      Reply
  13. Andrea Hemmerling says

    July 25, 2021 at 7:44 am

    5 stars
    Sooo goood!! Husband and I were racing to go back for more!

    Reply
  14. Laura says

    July 22, 2021 at 12:17 am

    5 stars
    Incredible recipe! It was so flavourful. I will be making this over and over again. Paired it with some grilled bok choy and of course, some French bread to soak up that delicious sauce. Thank you for this recipe. Happy to have found it.

    Reply
    • Thisaly says

      April 17, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      My father told me I had to marinate the prawns for the Easter barbecue, but I’d never marinated prawns before! It’s now in the fridge, waiting to be cooked and smells amazing! Thank you for all your recipes, Nagi. I started cooking properly a year ago, when I was 12 because of your recipes!! My friend and I made your Middle Eastern feast for our parents, yesterday, last week, I made your Mexican one and I made your sugar cookies for Sri Lankan New Year!!! Today, I’ll make your Love Cake. Thank you for everything you do!!!! 😊 You’ve made my family really happy! – Thisaly, 13

      Reply
  15. Andrew Whitehouse says

    July 19, 2021 at 1:20 am

    5 stars
    Cooked this recipe on the bbq served with Greek salad, crusty baguette and just one or two cold ones. Superb great recipe.

    Reply
  16. Jessica says

    July 9, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    5 stars
    Yum!!! So much flavour in the prawns. Ate the prawns as a filling with bao buns – so good!

    Reply
  17. Stephanie says

    June 2, 2021 at 11:37 am

    Hi
    Just sayin shrimp and prawns ARE different. Prawns are meat eaters and live on n different habitat than prawns which live near steep drop offs and are carnivores I love them both but they taste different at least in British Columbia

    Reply
  18. Cortni Jones says

    May 18, 2021 at 9:04 pm

    What do you serve this with? Looks for meal suggestions

    Reply
  19. Derek says

    April 6, 2021 at 12:03 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent recipe Nagi
    Served it with Caesar Salad and homemade croutons yummy.

    Reply
  20. Beth Bilous says

    March 15, 2021 at 8:47 am

    5 stars
    I am making this right now for tonites dinner fingers crossed.

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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