Charcoal-Grilled Spicy Shrimp with Garlic Butter
Plump shrimp coated in a smoky, spicy rub then grilled over charcoal and finished with a luscious garlic butter drizzle. This caribbean-inspired grilling ready in about 25 minutes pairs pound, peeled and deveined large shrimp, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 pound, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 pound large peeled and deveined shrimp with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, and 3/4 tsp kosher salt until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Prepare a charcoal grill by lighting charcoal briquettes and letting them burn until covered with white ash (about 20-30 minutes). Spread the coals for direct medium-high heat.
- Step 3: Place the shrimp directly on the grill grates and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, turning once, until shrimp are opaque and have grill marks.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
- Step 5: Transfer grilled shrimp to a serving plate and drizzle with the garlic butter mixture. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Charcoal-Grilled Spicy Shrimp with Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Charcoal-Grilled Spicy Shrimp with Garlic Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked paprika from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Charcoal-Grilled Spicy Shrimp with Garlic Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Charcoal-Grilled Spicy Shrimp with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Charcoal-Grilled Spicy Shrimp with Garlic Butter?
Caribbean grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
