Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Creole Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy Gulf shrimp grilled over high heat and finished with a rich, spicy Creole butter sauce that highlights classic New Orleans flavors. This caribbean-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large Gulf shrimp, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat a wood-fired grill or outdoor grill to medium-high heat, about 450°F. In a bowl, toss 1 lb large Gulf shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp paprika until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Thread the shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2 minutes per side until opaque with slight char marks, about 4 minutes total.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tsp Creole seasoning, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Remove the butter from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped parsley.
  5. Step 5: Brush the grilled shrimp generously with the Creole butter sauce and serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Creole Butter take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Creole 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Creole 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 Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Creole 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 Wood-Fired Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Creole Butter?

Caribbean seafood 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.

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