Old Bay Grilled Shrimp

Name: Old Bay Grilled Shrimp
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing; 2 teaspoons Old Bay or Cajun seasoning; Heaping 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; Salt and pepper; 1 1/2 pounds large, tail-on shrimp, peeled and deveined, patted dry; 1 lemon; 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley or cilantro leaves and stems; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

By Ali Slagle

Updated Oct. 12, 2023

Old Bay Grilled Shrimp — Kerri Brewer for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

Total Time: 35 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Rating: 4(371)
Comments: Read comments

The appeal of this grilled shrimp recipe lies in the combination of sweet shrimp, savory Old Bay and the singe of the grill, but the secret ingredient may be the baking soda, which keeps the shrimp snappy and tender. Old Bay seasoning is a beloved blend of sweet paprika, celery seed, dried mustard and other secret spices; it’s often used on Maryland blue crabs, but once you try it on shrimp, you’ll pine to use it elsewhere, too. (Try popcorn, corn or a Bloody Mary.) This recipe is brightened with lemon, garlic and parsley, but hot sauce, mayonnaise or drawn butter wouldn’t be out of place.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
2teaspoons Old Bay or Cajun seasoning
Heaping ¼ teaspoon baking soda
Salt and pepper
1½pounds large, tail-on shrimp, peeled and deveined, patted dry
1lemon
¼cup finely chopped parsley or cilantro leaves and stems
2garlic cloves, finely chopped

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Heat a grill to high. (You can also cook the shrimp in a cast-iron skillet over high heat, following the same timing.) In a medium bowl, stir together the oil, Old Bay, baking soda and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the shrimp and stir to combine. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.
Step 2
Finely grate the zest of the lemon into a small bowl. Add the parsley and garlic and stir to combine. Cut the lemon into wedges for serving.
Step 3
Clean and lightly oil the grates. Grill the shrimp until well browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook until opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes. (If using a gas grill, cover grill between flips.)
Step 4
Transfer the shrimp to a platter and top with the lemon-herb mixture. Serve with a squeeze of lemon.

Ratings

4 out of 5

371 user ratings

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Comments

Louisiana Mimi1 year ago

Please remove the tails of shrimp before including them in a dish that is to be eaten with a fork. What in the world do you do with the tails but choke or place them on the tablecloth. As for the idea of that leaving them on improves the flavor is silly. Make a stock with them and add that to the dish.

Anne B from St Mary's County, MD1 year ago

We have been using Old Bay on our shrimp that we fry on the stovetop in a heavy skillet; we also often add a little jarred garlic to the shrimp when we turn the second time. One of our favorite meals served over Basil Pesto Spaghetti or linguini.

Sue W.1 year ago

What about cooking the shrimp in an air fryer?

Linda3 days ago

This seems to suggest putting the shrimp directly on the grill grates. What? Wouldn't it just fall through? If I try this, I will use my grill basket.

Christie5 months ago

great instructions - turned out just like the photo!

HHolmberg11 months ago

What is the purpose of the baking soda?

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