Description
Smoked Shrimp is a smoky, slightly spicy seafood dish that enhances the natural sweetness of shrimp with bold flavors from a simple marinade and wood smoke. Perfect as an appetizer or entrée, it’s ideal for cookouts, dinners, or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Wood chips (hickory, oak, applewood, or cherrywood for smoking)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using).
- Add shrimp and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 15–30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Preheat smoker to 225°F (107°C) and add wood chips of choice.
- Arrange shrimp directly on smoker rack or thread onto skewers for easy handling.
- Smoke for 30–45 minutes or until shrimp are pink, opaque, and slightly browned on edges.
- Remove from smoker and serve hot with lemon wedges or dipping sauce of choice.
Notes
For a milder smoke flavor, use applewood or cherrywood.Marinate longer (up to 1 hour) for stronger flavor, but no more to avoid mushy texture.Use skewers to prevent shrimp from falling through smoker grates.Serve with chipotle mayo, garlic butter, or over rice, tacos, or salads.Do not overcook—shrimp should be just opaque and slightly firm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
