Grilled Shrimp Scampi

Fire up the BBQ and make this heavenly Grilled Shrimp Scampi flavored with lemon, garlic, basil, and grainy mustard for a phenomenal entree. It’s a delicious, easy recipe to kick off the summer grilling season!

The twist on this Recipe for Shrimp Scampi isn’t the recipe itself, but the technique. Cooking quickly over charcoal imparts an incredible smoky flavor which complements the sweet, succulent shrimp perfectly.

Why You Must Make

• You may think of pasta tossed with garlicky shrimp and butter when shrimp scampi comes to mind. But this grilled version is fabulous!
• Apparently Italian immigrants to the states developed scampi by utilizing Italian techniques to cook American food.
• I was relieved that adding grainy mustard and basil wouldn’t necessarily butcher a purest’s interpretation of scampi nor would grilling it. 

Recipe Tips

My husband lets me get my way most of the time. I think that’s how we have stayed married for 30 years. Smart man. But he refuses to let me purchase a gas grill. Granted, the taste of charcoal does impart a certain smokey deliciousness, but it’s messy. I think that’s my new excuse for wearing yoga pants 24/7! I admit, though, that he does have a point.

• These shrimp, for example, were phenomenal. Besides all the layers of flavors from the marinade, the grilling process imparted another marvelous nuance. Of course, a gas grill is much easier to control, so feel free to use whatever method you have available. 
• Shrimp grill quickly, so work fast. Just 1-2 minutes per side and they need to be removed from the heat so the texture doesn’t become rubbery.
• If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent them from catching on fire. Metal skewers are always an option.
• PRO-Tip: Use two skewers threaded through each shrimp as seen in the photo above. This will make the shrimp easier to flip as they’re locked in place.
• Use your eyes to judge when the shrimp is done. Once they start turning pink, give them a quick flip and remove them to a serving tray. Also, watch for them to curl. If they curl into a “C” shape, they’re cooked. If they curl into an “O” shape, they’re overcooked.
• Timing will vary, of course, depending on the temperature of your grill and the size of your shrimp. If you are a shrimp lover, you must make this extraordinary grilled shrimp scampi!

Serving Suggestions

• We enjoyed this with a lovely Sauvignon Blanc with citrus flavors of lemon peel and grapefruit.
• A crusty loaf of bread or slices of Garlic Bread would be delicious.
• Roasted Asparagus or Green Beans
• Rice Casserole
• Polenta
• Caesar Salad
• Guacamole Salad

Frequently Asked Questions

You May Also Like:

• Beer Battered Buffalo Shrimp Sliders from Tidy Mom
• Grilled Spicy Salt and Pepper Shrimp Skewers from Boulder Locavore
• Sweet and Spicy Baked Coconut Shrimp Dip from Country Cleaver
• Rosemary Prosciutto Shrimp
• Margarita Shrimp 
• Baked Garlic Shrimp
• Spicy Shrimp Fajitas
• Maple Mustard Glazed Salmon
• More Delicious Seafood Recipes

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The Recipe:

Grilled Shrimp Scampi

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 4 minutes

Total Time 24 minutes

Yield 6 servings

A fabulous grilled version of the classic shrimp scampi.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Zest of half a lemon
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grainy mustard
• 1/4 cup minced basil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon Badia spices complete seasoning mix
• 2 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined

Instructions

1. In a shallow glass dish (I used my 9x13-inch pyrex cake pan), mix together olive oil, butter, lemon juice and zest, mustard, basil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and seasoning mix.
2. Add shrimp and stir till the shrimp are coated with the paste.
3. Place in the refrigerator for about an hour.
4. Prepare grill. Thread shrimp onto skewers. Gently microwave any marinade left in the pan and smear over skewered shrimp.
5. Grill for approximately 2 minutes per side or till just starting to turn pink. Serve hot.

Notes

Grill just until the shrimp turn pink. Overcooking will make them rubbery.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 258Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 334mgSodium: 1583mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 35g

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