Are you tired of bland and uninspiring shrimp dishes? Look no further! Discover the secret to unlocking a world of flavor with the perfect shrimp marinade. Whether you’re grilling, sautéing, or baking, a good marinade can transform ordinary shrimp into a mouthwatering delight that will leave your taste buds begging for more. Our brand’s mission is to bring you fresh and exciting flavors that will elevate your culinary experience. With our specially crafted marinade, you can easily infuse your shrimp with a burst of deliciousness. From tangy and citrusy to spicy and smoky, our marinades offer a variety of options to suit every palate. Not only do marinades enhance the taste, but they also tenderize the shrimp, resulting in juicy and succulent bites. So, get ready to impress your family and friends with a shrimp dish that is bursting with flavor and guaranteed to satisfy even the most discerning seafood lover. Are you ready to unleash the full potential of your shrimp dishes? Let our perfect shrimp marinade be your secret weapon in creating unforgettable meals that will leave everyone craving for more.
THE BEST SHRIMP MARINADE
Garlicky, lemony and fresh, this shrimp marinade is something to celebrate!
Shrimp are one of my favorite proteins for a quick meal. This shrimp marinade is my go-to when I want to add lots of flavor to shrimp with little effort. The marinade comes together in just a few minutes, and it packs in so much flavor. Honestly, after trying this marinade I don’t want to season shrimp any other way!
My favorite way to cook the marinated shrimp is on the grill, but you can also sauté them in a skillet or cook in the air fryer. I’ll include directions for each cooking method below.
SHRIMP MARINADE INGREDIENTS
Here’s a look at the ingredients you’ll need to make this shrimp marinade. Find the full recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.
- Olive Oil: Helps to infuse the flavors of the other marinade ingredients into the shrimp.
- Fresh Parsley: For a pop of fresh flavor and vibrant color.
- Lemon Zest: The bright citrus flavor is one of my favorites with seafood like shrimp.
- Garlic: I use 4 cloves of fresh garlic for lots of garlicky flavor. You can use less if you prefer.
- Salt and Pepper: To enhance all of the flavors.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Makes the shrimp a bit spicy. The spice isn’t overpowering, but if you prefer less heat you can reduce the red pepper flakes to 1/4 teaspoon or omit them.
- Shrimp! I like to buy peeled and deveined shrimp to save time. You can use shrimp with the tails on or off. If the shrimp are frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator before marinating. They’ll take about 24 hours to thaw in the fridge. I usually put them in a colander set over a bowl to catch the liquid that they’ll release when thawing.
USE LEMON ZEST, NOT JUICE IN A SHRIMP MARINADE
I use lemon zest, not lemon juice, in this marinade because acids like citrus juice will start to cook the shrimp as they marinate, which could cause the shrimp to turn out tough. Using lemon zest is the perfect way to add lemon flavor without the risk of rubbery shrimp.
HOW LONG CAN YOU MARINATE SHRIMP?
Marinate the shrimp for at least 20 minutes, and up to 2 hours. Even 20 minutes is enough to infuse them with delicious flavor. Since shrimp are so tender and quick-cooking, you don’t want to marinate them longer than 2 hours or the tender tissues could start to break down, affecting the texture of the cooked shrimp. Be sure to place the shrimp in the refrigerator while they marinate.
HOW TO COOK SHRIMP: GRILL, SAUTÉ OR AIR FRY
After marinating, discard the used marinade and cook shrimp according to your preferred cooking method:
- Grilled Shrimp: Grill shrimp over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, until they are opaque and pink. I like to thread the shrimp onto skewers for grilling, but you can also cook them directly on the grill grates.
- Sautéed Shrimp: Cook shrimp in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Air Fryer Shrimp: Preheat air fryer to 400° F for 5 minutes. Air fry shrimp at 400° F for 3 minutes. Flip shrimp over and air fry for 1-5 more minutes, until they are cooked through.
SERVING IDEAS
This shrimp marinade makes the tastiest shrimp, perfect for serving in so many ways! Here are a few of my favorites:
- Make Shrimp Tacos! I love serving the shrimp in shrimp tacos, wrapped in warm tortillas with crunchy cabbage, avocado, fresh cilantro and a drizzle of fish taco sauce.
- Over Pasta: I like to make pasta primavera (pasta with veggies) and add shrimp for protein.
- On a Salad: Shrimp makes a great addition to many of our favorite salad recipes.
- In a Bowl: Serve the shrimp with rice, with a fresh fruit salsa (I’m thinking mango avocado salsa would be delish!). Or, make a bowl with rice, shrimp and grilled veggies.