Hosting a summer BBQ and short of ideas for an appetizer? Smoked Shrimp is the best appetizer you can enjoy before a BBQ. It is one of the fastest dishes you can make in your smoker, which takes only 30 minutes to cook. These shrimp are minimally seasoned to allow the smoke flavour to show, but additional spice can be added if desired. Because of the short smoking duration, feel free to use a stronger-flavoured wood, such as hickory or mesquite. Serve over cheesy grits, rice, on top of a salad, or as an appetizer with remoulade sauce.
Smoked Shrimp
The best way to utilize the free space in your smoker is to smoke shrimp because they will take less time than the main course and will be appropriately infused with a perfect smoke flavour.
Smoking shrimp with some olive oil and some lemon juice will give you the most remarkable and mouthwatering flavour you can ever imagine.
We have smashed one of the best and our favourite smoked shrimp recipes to cook shrimp. Clean and prepare your electric smoker, Traeger grill, or pellet smoker. I am a master at pellet grill, so I will be using that along with wood pellets to give a perfect smoke flavour to my cooked shrimp.
How To Make Smoked Shrimp
Step 1: Preheat Your Smoker
Light up your smoker, clean the smoker rack and fix it in. Make sure to maintain the internal temperature of the smoker at 225ºF. Use the wood chips of your choice. I would recommend using mesquite, oak, or applewood chips.
Step 2: Prepare The Seasoning (butter mixture)
Take a saucepan, melt the butter sticks, and add black pepper, salt, and garlic. Make it a paste. When done, take a large bowl and place all the shrimps in it along with the butter mixture you have prepared. Toss shrimp properly. After that, add a little olive oil and seafood rub and toss it again.
Step 3: Adding Shrimp To Skewers
Before putting the shrimps on wood skewers, always make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. After soaking, add 4-5 shrimps on each wooden skewer.
Step 4: Smoking The Shrimps
Finally, after marinating them, it is time to smoke them. Put a piece of aluminum foil on the smoker racks and then place the skewers with shrimps directly onto that foil. Make sure to make small holes on the foil so that the smoke can flow easily.
Do you know why we instructed you to use aluminum foil? The shrimps are small can fall from the grill grates. To avoid them falling from the grill, we use tin foil.
Smoke the shrimps for 15 minutes on each side.
Step 5: Serve Your Smoked Shrimp!
Remove it from the smoker and place them on the serving platter. Place a dipping sauce on the side to enjoy perfectly smoked shrimps.
Shrimps can be used as an appetizer and as a sideline with many famous dishes such as Smoked T-bone steak, Smoked New York Steak, or Smoked Turkey. If you talk about pairing it with seafood, it will be great with, Smoked cod or Smoked halibut.
Tips For Making The Best Smoked Shrimp
- Peel. Always peel the shell off before smoking. It would take less time to infuse the Smokey flavour into your shrimp.
- Skip The Skewers. Instead of using skewers, try smoking your shrimp in a grill basket. The basket is so much easier to just throw the shrimp into and add to the grill. It might not look as great on shrimp on a skewer, but the flavour will outweigh the aesthetics!
Best Beer To Pair With Smoked Shrimp
These succulent, smoky gems are a seafood lover’s dream come true, but what’s a shrimp feast without the perfect beer companion? Discover the top beer pairings that will make your smoked shrimp adventure even more fantastic!
Witbier (Belgian Wheat Beer)
Witbier, with its light and citrusy character, is like a bright ray of sunshine on your seafood plate. The zesty orange peel and coriander notes in a Witbier complement the delicate sweetness of the smoked shrimp, creating a dance of flavors that’s simply magical. The refreshing effervescence of this beer cleanses your palate, making each bite of shrimp feel like a refreshing ocean breeze. It’s a pairing that’s as crisp and delightful as a beachside vacation.
Pale Lager
Pale lagers are the laid-back friends who know how to keep things cool, and they’re a fantastic match for your Smoked Shrimp. Their clean, crisp taste won’t overpower the shrimp’s subtle smokiness, allowing the seafood’s natural flavors to shine. The mild bitterness of a pale lager provides a subtle contrast to the shrimp’s sweetness, making every bite a refreshing delight. It’s like a casual seaside picnic, with the beer as your trusty companion.
IPA (India Pale Ale)
IPA, the adventurous thrill-seeker of the beer world, is ready to embark on a flavor journey with your smoked shrimp. Its bold hoppy flavors and citrusy zing cut through the smokiness, creating a delicious contrast that will have your taste buds doing a happy dance. The IPA’s refreshing bitterness and fruity notes enhance the overall experience, making your shrimp feast even more satisfying. It’s like a bold, flavorful adventure where every bite is a burst of excitement.
More Great Smoked Seafood Recipes
If you’re looking to try other smoked seafood recipes, then you must give a try to our Smoked Lobster Tail, Smoked Cod, or Grilled Salmon recipes. They are healthy and easy to make.
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Smoked Shrimp Recipe
Equipment
- Smoker Pellets
- Aluminum foil
- wood chips (mesquite, oak, or applewood chips)
- Wood Skewers
- Large bowl
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 lb peeled shrimps with tails on
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 batch Seafood Rub
- Minced Garlic
- A pinch of salt
- 2 sticks of butter
- A pinch of black pepper
- Cajun seasoning at the time of serving (optional)
Instructions
- Start your smoker, grab your pellets, and get the temperature stable at 225ºF.
- Prepare the seasoning for marinating the shrimps.
- Add 4-5 shrimps to each wood skewer.
- Place the skewers directly on the grill and smoke for about 15 minutes per side.
- Remove the skewers from the grill and serve right away.
Smoked Shrimp FAQs
What Wood Chips Should I Use For Smoking Shrimp?
For fish, I choose mesquite or fruit woods, which also work well for shrimp. If you want something a little more robust, consider hickory, pecan, or maple wood. Because shrimp are tiny and may fall through the smoker rack, you may need to line it with aluminum foil.
What Side Dish Goes Well With Shrimp?
Some of the best sidelines that goes well with shrimps are
1. Smoked Asparagus
2. Smoked Baked Potatoes
3. Smoked Sweet Potatoes
4. Macaroni Salad
5. Parmesan Asparagus
6. Vegetable salad
What Sauces Are Good With Shrimp?
The sauces that are good with shrimp are
1. Harissa
2. Romesco
3. Mango salsa
4. Miso butter
5. Shrimp butter
6. Pesto
How Long Does Smoked Shrimp Last?
Smoked shrimp can be kept and refrigerated for up to three months.
If you are not in a rush and can make fresh shrimp and serve it simultaneously, there is nothing better than that.
How Do You Keep Shrimp From Drying Out On The Grill?
The secret ingredient in delicious grilled shrimp is full-fat yogurt. The acidity of the yogurt tenderizes the shrimp gradually before grilling and serves as an excellent vehicle for flavouring it with fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon juice. The fat from the yogurt keeps the shrimp from drying out on the grill.