Smoked Shrimp (Plus VIDEO)

Vibrant, juicy, and super easy Smoked Shrimp is a delightful dish that your family will surely love. It’s a versatile recipe that goes well as an appetizer or main course. There are various delicious ways to cook shrimp, but one of my favorites is definitely smoking.

Contents… Quick and Easy Smoked Shrimp How to Buy Shrimp from the Grocery Store What smoker to use?     My Choice: Pellet Smoker     Charcoal Grill     Electric Smoker What You Need for Amazing Smoked Shrimp How Long to Smoke Shrimp Tips in Cooking Shrimp Serving Suggestions Tasty Seafood Recipes You’ll Love How to Smoke Shrimp Watch How To Make It

My friends were amazed to find out that I had smoked my shrimp. Oh yes! And it was totally delicious.

I love them as they are but often use them with other dishes. Now, my friends are asking me to make some for our next party.

Of course, I’ll oblige. And I’m gonna show you how easy it is to make smoked shrimp at home.

I’m not gonna lie; it’s a pretty delicate dish that you have to keep an eye on to cook it perfectly. But I also know you can make these super addicting dishes for your friends and family.

Quick and Easy Smoked Shrimp

One of the quickest recipes you can prepare in a smoker is a seafood dish. However, these recipes are some of the most delicate, which means you’re gonna have to watch them closely.

Don’t worry; this shrimp recipe won’t take much time at all.

This smoked shrimp recipe infuses the smoky flavor of your favorite woodchips with the juicy shrimp taste. Even better, it goes well with a lot of ingredients such as butter, garlic, and more.

How to Buy Shrimp from the Grocery Store

You know me, I love my ingredients fresh. So, I go straight to the butcher every time I can. However, it’s completely different with seafood, especially with shrimp since it’s very delicate.

Here are some things I learned that you might want to know when buying shrimp.

1. Fresh or Frozen – I’d go for frozen for this one. Seafood goes bad easily if you don’t store it properly. Fishing boats often immediately freeze shrimps to preserve the quality.
2. Smell it – Steer clear from shrimps that smell like ammonia. It’s a clear sign that it spoiled.
3. Touch it – If the shell feels soft or slimy, it’s probably better off in the garbage bin than the grocery store.
4. Look at the label – Personally, I prefer wild-caught shrimp since they taste better. You can also get them pre-packaged. Companies will advertise this. Farm-raised shrimps are also good, but be sure to ensure the farming practices are sustainable. (It will also be on the label.)

What smoker to use?

Honestly, there’s no one specific way to smoke seafood perfectly. I’ve tried many smokers, big and small, and I think it all depends on your preference. I like to experiment with different smoking methods and flavors to see what works best.

So here are some of my favored techniques for this recipe:

My Choice: Pellet Smoker

Pros

• Easy and Tender – The long smoking period is so worth the wait because it makes for truly tender seafood. It will also activate the delicious shrimp flavors.
• Flavored Wood Chips – Trying out different wood flavors is a definite plus with this smoker.
• Indirect Heat – Having the heat source as far away as possible from your shrimp will result in a fabulicious juicy plate of smoked shrimp.

Con

• This smoker can be bulky – I really wish it didn’t take up so much space. But hey, some things are just worth the sacrifice.

How to use a Pellet Smoker

• Shrimp Placement – Simply place the shrimp on the middle rack. This will ensure that your smoked shrimp cooks evenly without one side burning.
• The Water Pan -Add a pan with half a cup of water to the smoking chamber to prevent your shrimp from drying out. This method also infuses them with the wood chips’ flavor. (Personally, Hickory flavored wood is great for most seafood, but feel free to mix and match.)
• Retain the Heat – Close the lid and start cooking! Woohoo!

Verdict: This method is by far the easiest way to smoke. It automatically feeds the heater with pellets and fans the heat around the chamber. And no need to get dirty, just check the shrimp occasionally!👍

I love my Traeger Pellet Smoker for smoking shrimp because it’s so versatile. While I usually get woodchips from Traeger, Kingsford’s woodchips are also excellent.

Charcoal Grill

Pros

• Compact – This baby fits in my shed when I’m not using it.
• No Higher Electric Bill – Yay! You don’t need electricity for this super easy method. That means you can enjoy smoking shrimp even when you’re in the great outdoors.
• Low Cost – This is the most economical choice for the up-front expense and the maintenance. So this choice is really budget-friendly and waaay easier to clean!

Con

• Direct Heat – Although it’s technically indirect heat, the coals are in the same chamber as your shrimp. So you have to be a little more careful so that you don’t roast instead of smoke them.

A simple, compact charcoal grill is ideal for smoking, especially if you don’t have a lot of space in your backyard. Also, I wouldn’t wear anything I didn’t want permanently stained when using this one.

This smoking method uses charcoal which cooks the meat with low but direct heat. Additionally, you can throw in a few flavored wood chips to infuse a smoky aroma!

Barbecuing vs. Smoking. I love both, and both can take all day. But that gives us plenty of time to catch up on all the family’s latest gossip. A good BBQ is over an open fire. On the other hand, smoking uses covered indirect heat so that all sides cook perfectly.

How to use your charcoal grill as a smoker

• Heat the Charcoal – Place the hot coals on one extreme side of the grill.
• Catch the Drippings – Add a tin catch just below the grill so you can catch all those flavorful juices that drip off.
• Picture-Perfect Placement – Put the shrimp on the extreme other side of the grill, furthest from the coals, and put the water pan beside it. It’s even easier if you have a bigger grill.
• Trap the Heat – Close that lid so that you can keep all that heat for your smoked shrimp.

Verdict: This method seems to be the most convenient. I can use my grill for double duty. That means I don’t need space for a bulky smoker. 👍 All I need is my favorite wood chips and charcoal.

Electric Smoker

Pros

• No Direct Heat – No open fire for this smoker, just some woodchips and heating rods.
• Built-In Thermometer – You can always check the internal temperature with the built-in thermometer.

Cons

• It Takes Longer – Electricity can only get things so hot. The lower maximum temp means a longer minimum smoke time.
• Electric Consumption – This smoker might give you a higher electric bill. And while it rarely happens, a power outage can wreak havoc if you’re in the middle of smoking your favorite dish.
• Slight Taste Difference – While most people won’t notice, electricity and real fire create a slightly different taste.

Electric smokers do use wood chips to produce smoke via heating rods to produce the smoke. It adds convection heat, which gives your shrimp a slightly different flavor. It is similar to a bullet smoker with the wood tray taking the fire chamber’s place.

How to use an Electric Smoker

• Preheat the Smoker – Pre-smoke the unit with your choice of woodchips.
• Attach the Water Pan – Once the smoker reaches the desired temperature, place the water pan in the lowest place inside the unit.
• Perfect Placement – Place the shrimp on the rack and close the door to start cooking.

NOTE: If you’re using this electric smoker for the first time, I suggest preheating it and seasoning it with cooking oil. That way, you reduce manufacturing residue that can affect your smoked shrimp’s flavor.

Verdict: Electric grills usually take longer because they cook at a lower temperature.

What You Need for Amazing Smoked Shrimp

One reason this recipe is so addicting is that it’s so simple and uses easy-to-find ingredients. In addition, the natural flavors of the shrimp blend well with the smokiness of the woodchips. The seasoning takes this dish to a whole new level.

Here’s everything I used for this smoked shrimp recipe:

• Jumbo Shrimps – You’ll want jumbo shrimp, first, for satisfaction in every bite, and, second, it doesn’t fall through the grill. Frozen is safest.
• Thyme – Fresh herbs are best for this recipe, but dried thyme also works fine. I used dried for this recipe because it was what I had.
• Oregano – This herb, with a pungent smell and taste, creates lovely flavors when added to a dish.
• Black Pepper – A staple spice that gives the dish the right amount of heat.
• Cumin – The earthy, pungent, and mildly bitter taste makes any dish flavorful.
• Garlic – Mincing garlic really gets the flavor and aroma into the meat. You can get it in a jar or use my failproof guide to mince garlic.
• Pepper Flakes – Give your dish the perfect amount of heat and excitement.
• Italian Seasoning – This fantastic mix of dried herbs brings out authentic Mediterranean flavors. Check out this super easy DIY version.
• Olive Oil –  It is an aromatic oil perfect for all types of meats and veggies.
• Lemon Juice – Give your dish a refreshing zing with a bit of lemon!

How Long to Smoke Shrimp

Shrimp is one of the quickest dishes you can make in a smoker. It only takes about 20 minutes, sometimes even less, to perfectly cook this dish. You don’t need fancy tools to tell if it’s done. Just looking at it will do.

Once it’s vibrantly orange and forms a C shape, it’s good to go. That tells you that it’s juicy and not rubbery.

Tips in Cooking Shrimp

• Easy Shrimp Peeling – Twist the head to remove this part. Gently press your thumb under the shell to loosen the legs from the body, releasing most of the shell. Then, gently tug the tail to remove the remaining shell.
• Deveining Shrimp – Use a toothpick and pierce it a little below the vein and pull it outward. Or just slit the back part of the shrimp to open it and simply pull it out by hand.
• Perfectly Cooked Shrimp – Fresh shrimps often start with an obtuse curve. This shape slowly changes to a “c” as it cooks. Catch it before it forms an “o,” which means it’s overcooked.

Serving Suggestions

Like I said earlier, I enjoy this dish in a variety of ways. I know what I make to go with it will be totally satisfying. So here’s a list of the most soul-satisfying pairings for your smoked shrimp.

1. The bold and earthy flavors of Parmesan Crusted Baked Asparagus is an excellent combo to the juicy shrimp.
2. Top your bowl of homemade Macaroni Salad with the smoky taste of shrimp.
3. Fresh veggies from this Greek Salad perfectly complement that smoky aroma of the main dish.
4. Complete your day with a plate of Caribbean Potato Salad, and top it off with those juicy, smoky shrimps.

Tasty Seafood Recipes You’ll Love

• Creamy Tuscan Shrimp
• Shrimp Salad
• Broiled Salmon
• Blackened Catfish with Shrimp Sauce

How to Smoke Shrimp

Preparing the Shrimp

• Devein and Peel – Clean the shrimp by deveining the back part of the shrimp and removing the shell. Skip this if you bought it deveined and peeled already. (Photos 1 & 2)

• Mix the Seasonings – In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, oregano, minced garlic, cumin, Creole seasoning, pepper flakes, ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning. (Photos 3 & 4)
• Apply the Seasoning – Add the mixture to the shrimp and ensure that all the shrimps are covered. You can toss the shrimp in the bowl if you have advanced mixing skills. I suggest mixing them by hand. (Photo 5)

Smoking the Shrimp

• Placement – Place the shrimp in the smoker. Make sure that there are spaces between so that they don’t overlap when they cook. (Photo 6)
• Close and Cook – Close the lid and start the cooking process.
• Is it Done Yet? – Check the smoker after 15-20 minutes to see if it’s done. If it shows all the signs that it’s done, take it out of the smoker. It’s easy to overcook, so be very careful. (Photo 7)
• Serve – Serve with your favorite dip and some lemon wedges. (Photo 8)

Watch How To Make It

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