13 Summer-Ready Ways to Use Grilled Shrimp

By Southern Living
Photo: Jacob Snavely

Whether you’re planning the menu for a backyard barbecue or craving the taste of Old Bay on a regular ole weekday, there’s nothing easier than grilled shrimp. A summer specialty, though we’ll take it any time of year, grilled shrimp is as versatile as it comes. Stick ‘em in a skewer with anything from okra to sausage for a hearty appetizer or family-friendly supper. Serve grilled shrimp on top of a salad or in a taco for a fresh lunch or healthy dinner. Toss them into charred hoagie rolls with all the Cajun fixings for a taste of New Orleans at your own dinner table. Simple grilled shrimp is a match for it all.

That’s especially true when it comes to our reader-favorite, flavorful ways to serve up this Gulf Coast staple. From skewers hot of the grill, like Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage, to new grilled takes on Lowcountry classics, like our Grilled Clambake Foil Packets with shrimp, these recipes are jumbo on flavor.  

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Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Grilled Cajun Shrimp Kabobs with Sausage

Perfect for parties and warm summer nights alike, these Cajun skewers come together in less than 20 minutes. 

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Grilled Shrimp Po'Boys with Quick Remoulade Sauce

Max Kelly

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Po'Boys with Quick Remoulade Sauce

Who says shrimp po'boys have to be fried? Switch things up without sacrificing New Orleans style by popping shrimp on the grill instead.

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Grilled Clambake Foil Packets with Herb Butter

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Grilled Clambake Foil Packets with Herb Butter 

In true Lowcountry style, shrimp, clams, potatoes, corn, and sausage mingle in a foil packet clambake that's ready in minutes. 

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Shrimp-Okra-and-Sausage Kebabs

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Tina Stamos

Recipe: Shrimp-Okra-and-Sausage Kebabs

Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, hot sauce, and butter pack a punch on these easy-to-grill skewers. 

 

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Tomato Salad with Grilled Shrimp

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Tomato Salad with Grilled Shrimp

Look for beautiful and tasty heirloom tomatoes in a rainbow of colors at your local farmers' market, and keep them at room temperature until you're ready to slice and serve. 

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Grilled Shrimp Salad with Sweet Tea Vinaigrette

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Salad with Sweet Tea Vinaigrette

This salad is packed with delicious ingredients—pecans, shrimp, peaches, and blue cheese. Whip up an easy Sweet Tea Vinaigrette to top it off.

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Mexican-Grilled Shrimp with Smoky Sweet Sauce

Photo: Oxmoor House

Recipe: Mexican-Grilled Shrimp with Smoky Sweet Sauce

Make this zesty Mexican seafood recipe for an appetizer or a fragrant main dish; simply serve with rice and a vegetable for a complete meal.

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Carolina Grilled Shrimp

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Carolina Grilled Shrimp

A light char off the grill and some easy-to-handle skewers are the perfect finishing touches to these marinated shrimps.

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Grilled Shrimp and Smoky Grilled-Corn Grits

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp and Smoky Grilled-Corn Grits

This twist on the Southern classic is ready to enjoy in less than 45 minutes from start to finish.

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Grilled Shrimp Gumbo Salad

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Gumbo Salad

Terrific flavors from the garden and grill come together in this twist on a New Orleans favorite. Served in smaller portions, it also makes a great first course.

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Grilled Shrimp-and-Green Bean Salad

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Lydia Pursell

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp-and-Green Bean Salad 

Freshly picked summer green beans have great texture that creates the perfect snap in each bite of this shrimp salad. Parmesan and bacon add a rich saltiness that flavors the beans and the shrimp. Serve over hot, crusty cornbread.

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Grilled Shrimp and Spinach Salad

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp and Spinach Salad

A colorful mix of sliced mangoes, fresh raspberries, goat cheese, and of course, grilled shrimp pumps up this spinach salad.

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Grain Salad with Grilled Shrimp and Sweet Peppers

Photo: Jacob Snavely

Recipe: Grain Salad with Grilled Shrimp and Sweet Peppers

If you use wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 30 minutes before threading on the shrimp.

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