Cooking Shrimp On The Grill In The Shell
Each has its advantages and there is no right or wrong answer.
Cooking shrimp on the grill in the shell. Shell on shrimp always present one small conundrum. Start by lightly coating the clean grill grates with oil especially important if you re using a dry spice rub. They re the key to making a flavorful bisque or seafood stock. Leave the shell on the tail to make a handle if you re serving shrimp with a dip.
If you see a black vein running down the shrimp peel and devein them. I grill the shrimp over direct heat until they re just cooked through then serve them. Cooking shrimp with the shells on is a double barreled taste sensation. There are two great debates when cooking shrimp.
A shrimp boil or shrimp on the barbie also shines when the shell is left on. Cooking unpeeled shrimp is the thing that will really make that shrimp. Preheat your grill to 350 450 f and set it up for direct cooking. But if you do choose to peel the shrimp before cooking save the shells and freeze them to make seafood stock for chowders and stews.
Overcooked shrimp like overmarinated shrimp are rubbery and tough. If you want to grill shrimp purchase shrimp that are about 10 20 count meaning there are 10 20 shrimp per pound. Large or jumbo shrimp stay juicy on the grill. By size such as jumbo large medium small and by count how many shrimp per pound such as 10 15 15 30 and 30 41.
The shells of crustaceans that means shrimp as well as lobster crayfish and crab are loaded with flavor. While most americans prefer shelled shrimp without the vein whole shrimp are preferred in much of the world. Shell or no shell and vein or no vein. When it comes to grilling shrimp bigger is better.
Because there s no grill smoke. You can use a wooden skewer or metal skewer both options work well. Grill the shrimp over direct medium heat for 5 7 minutes turning the shrimp halfway through the process. The shell itself if seasoned and sauteed is delicious on its own.
Small shrimp can dry out too quickly or fall through the grate. Most of the marinade flavor is on the exterior of the shells while the shrimp inside have an exceptional shrimp flavor and juicy tender texture thanks to being cooked in the shells. Store the shrimp shells in a zip top bag in the freezer until you re ready to. When you shop for shrimp you ll notice they re labeled two ways.
Next season the shrimp with olive oil salt pepper and lemon juice. If you peeled your shrimp before cooking or serving don t just throw the shells in the trash. It s becoming more common to find shell on shrimp that s already been de. Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and using long handled tongs rub it on the clean grill grates.
It also protects the shrimp inside from overcooking and becoming tough.