Easy Grilled Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe | Juicy & Flavorful Seafood Dish

The Ultimate Summer Shrimp Dish

Grilled garlic butter shrimp is the kind of dish that instantly feels like summer. Inspired by The Fork Bite, COOKtheSTORY, and The Modern Proper, this recipe celebrates smoky char, buttery richness, and a garlicky punch that makes shrimp irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, planning a quick weeknight dinner, or serving elegant appetizers, this dish fits seamlessly into any occasion.

The beauty lies in its simplicity: shrimp cook in minutes, yet the flavor payoff is huge. Garlic butter infuses every bite with savory depth, while the grill adds a subtle smokiness that elevates the dish beyond ordinary seafood fare. It’s crowd-pleasing, versatile, and endlessly customizable—perfect for pairing with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.

This recipe proves that with just a handful of ingredients and a hot grill, you can create something that feels indulgent yet effortless, making it a summer staple worth repeating.

What Is Grilled Garlic Butter Shrimp?

Grilled garlic butter shrimp is a simple yet luxurious seafood dish where shrimp are brushed or marinated in garlic butter, then grilled until tender and lightly charred. The high heat of the grill locks in juiciness while adding smoky depth, creating a flavor profile that’s savory, buttery, and slightly spicy.

The garlic butter base is the star—rich, aromatic, and versatile enough to complement shrimp’s natural sweetness. A touch of red pepper flakes or paprika can add gentle heat, while lemon juice brightens the richness. The result is a dish that feels indulgent but cooks in under 10 minutes.

Its quick cooking time makes it ideal for busy evenings, while its elegance makes it equally suited for entertaining. Whether served as skewered appetizers or plated with sides, grilled garlic butter shrimp delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, embodying the perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication.

Ingredient Overview

Shrimp: Large or jumbo, peeled and deveined for ease. Fresh is best, but frozen works if thawed and patted dry.

• Butter: Unsalted, melted for brushing and flavor infusion.
• Garlic: Freshly minced cloves for bold aroma.
• Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and parsley for balance.
• Optional add-ins: Lemon juice for brightness, paprika for smokiness, or honey for a sweet glaze.
• Skewers: Wooden (soaked in water) or metal for grilling convenience.

Tip: Fresh shrimp yield the best texture and flavor, but if using frozen, ensure they’re fully thawed and dried to avoid excess moisture on the grill.

This ingredient lineup ensures balance: butter and garlic provide richness, seasonings add punch, and optional extras let you tailor the dish to your taste. Lemon and herbs keep things fresh, while paprika or honey can shift the flavor profile toward smoky or sweet. Skewers make grilling easy, ensuring even cooking and a beautiful presentation.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat grill: Set to medium-high heat for quick, even cooking.
2. Prepare garlic butter: Melt butter in a small saucepan. Stir in minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Keep warm.
3. Thread shrimp: Arrange shrimp on skewers, leaving slight space between each for even cooking.
4. Brush generously: Coat shrimp with garlic butter before grilling.
5. Grill: Place skewers on the grill. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until shrimp are opaque and lightly charred.
6. Finish: Brush with more garlic butter immediately after grilling. Sprinkle with parsley and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Tips for success:

• Don’t overcook—shrimp turn rubbery quickly. Pull them as soon as they’re opaque and firm.
• Keep garlic butter warm but not boiling to preserve flavor.
• If using wooden skewers, soak them for 30 minutes to prevent burning.

This method ensures juicy shrimp with a smoky char and a glossy garlic butter finish. The quick cooking time makes it weeknight-friendly, while the presentation on skewers makes it perfect for entertaining.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ons

• Lemon-garlic butter shrimp: Add fresh lemon juice and zest for brightness.
• Cajun-spiced shrimp: Mix Cajun seasoning into garlic butter for bold heat.
• Honey-garlic glaze: Stir honey into butter for sweet-savory balance.
• Chili-lime shrimp: Add lime juice and chili flakes for tangy spice.

These variations allow you to tailor the dish to your mood—zesty, smoky, sweet, or spicy—while keeping the garlic butter base intact.

Serving Suggestions

Serve grilled garlic butter shrimp over fluffy rice, twirled into pasta, or alongside grilled vegetables for a balanced meal. Crusty bread is a must for soaking up extra garlic butter.

As a main dish, pair with a crisp salad and chilled white wine. As an appetizer, arrange skewers on a platter with lemon wedges for easy sharing.

This dish’s versatility makes it equally at home at casual BBQs or elegant dinner parties, ensuring it always impresses.