How to Cook Garlic Butter Shrimp and Prawns on a Grill

Grilled shrimp is easy to prepare and makes for a special meal.

The next time you feel like firing up the grill, think beyond burgers, steak or chicken. With some light seasoning and a side of garlic butter, grilled shrimp makes for an easy-to-prepare and delicious meal. You can use any size shrimp, though larger shrimp works best as you can place them directly on the grill. And if you can find prawns--often called jumbo shrimp--those make for an extra special treat.

Things You'll Need

• 6 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 pound unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp chopped Italian parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound raw, deveined, shell-on shrimp
• Lemon wedges, optional

Instructions

Preparation

1. 

   Fresh shrimp are best for grilling.

   Rinse the shrimp under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels and place in a bowl. Add two tablespoons olive oil and toss to coat. Set aside.

2. 

   If using salted butter, be sure to omit the salt when seasoning the mixture.

   Add the remaining four tablespoons olive oil to a saute pan, on medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook until tender, but not brown--about two minutes. Be sure to stir often to prevent over-cooking. Lower the heat and add the butter, stirring until completely melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. Turn off the heat and cover the pan with foil to keep the garlic butter warm.

3. 

   Use a skewer to grill smaller shrimp.

   Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for medium-high heat. When the grill is heated, remove the shrimp from the oil and place on the grill--be sure to place the shrimp across the grate so as to prevent them from falling through. Grill, turning over once, until the shrimp turn pink--about two to three minutes per side. Place shrimp on a serving plate.

4. 

   Get creative with the herbs you use when cooking shrimp.

   Add the Italian parsley to the garlic butter and stir. Pour the mixture into small bowls for dipping.

5. 

   For a more filling meal, serve grilled shrimp over rice or pasta.

   Serve the shrimp with the individual bowls of garlic-butter sauce and lemon wedges, if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• There is some confusion surrounding prawns because the term is used to describe different types of shellfish. One type of prawn belongs to the lobster family, while another refers to lobster-like shrimp that migrates from salt to fresh water during migration. The use of the term prawn in this article refers to any jumbo-sized shrimp.

• Try other herbs in place of the Italian parsley--basil, thyme and rosemary work especially well with grilled seafood.

• If you are using fresh shellfish within two days of purchase, you can store it in your refrigerator. Otherwise, place the shellfish in a freezer-proof bag or wrap with foil and keep in your freezer until ready to use.

References

• Epicurious Food Dictionary: Prawns
• Fresh and Frozen Seafood: Selecting and Serving It Safely

Resources

• Grilled Shrimp Recipe
• Sauteed Garlic Butter