Description
This vibrant Grilled Jerk Shrimp recipe infuses fresh medium-large shrimp with a tangy, spicy jerk marinade featuring lime juice, honey, soy sauce, and traditional jerk seasoning. Quick to prepare and grill, these skewered shrimp are perfect for a flavorful summer meal. Garnished with fresh herbs and served with lime wedges, they deliver a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and citrusy notes in just minutes.
Ingredients
Marinade and Shrimp
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning (or to taste)
- 1 medium lime, juiced + extra lime wedges for serving
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 pound fresh medium-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Fresh cilantro or fresh parsley, finely minced (optional, for garnishing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, jerk seasoning, lime juice, honey, and soy sauce until combined. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat them evenly with the marinade.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Allow the shrimp to marinate for 15-20 minutes at room temperature. For longer marinating up to 45-60 minutes, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Do not exceed 60 minutes to avoid the lime juice “cooking” the shrimp and making them tough.
- Prepare Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water while shrimp marinate to prevent burning. If using metal skewers, this step is not required.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your outdoor grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates to prevent sticking. Alternatively, heat a grill pan over medium-high to high heat on the stovetop.
- Thread the Shrimp: Thread 5-6 marinated shrimp onto each skewer evenly. Reserve any leftover marinade for basting during cooking. If sautéing in a skillet instead of grilling, you can skip skewering.
- Cook the Shrimp: Grill the shrimp skewers for about 2 minutes on one side, then flip. Brush the shrimp with the reserved marinade and cook 2 additional minutes or until opaque and thoroughly cooked. Discard any leftover marinade after basting. When sautéing, cook shrimp in a skillet with a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes, flipping once midway through. Shrimp are done when pink, opaque, and slightly curled but not tightly curled.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with finely minced fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley and garnish with extra lime wedges. Serve immediately with your choice of sides like salsa or rice for a delicious, quick meal.
Notes
- Do not marinate shrimp longer than 60 minutes to avoid the acidic lime juice cooking them prematurely.
- If shrimp stick to the grill or pan, wait an additional 30-45 seconds; they will release easier when closer to done.
- Shrimp cook quickly; total cook time is about 4-5 minutes depending on size and heat intensity.
- Look for shrimp to be opaque and pink, slightly curled into a loose C shape, as a visual cue for doneness.
- Use fresh jerk seasoning or store-bought options based on preference.
- Wooden skewers must be soaked to prevent burning during grilling.
- This recipe can be easily adapted for skillet cooking if no grill is available.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Caribbean