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    Home » Appetizers

    Grilled Shrimp with a Kick

    Published: Jul 9, 2009 · Modified: Mar 29, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 19 Comments

    8Shares

    Grilled Shrimp with a Kick

    My mum claims that I was born hiccuping.  While this may be an exaggeration, it is true that I tend to get the hiccups more than the average Joe (or Josephine).  Not just once, either.  If I get the hiccups in the morning, I am destined to get them at least three more times that same day. My kids, of course, think this is hilarious and are certain I'm putting on a show for their sheer entertainment.  I'm less than happy to oblige.   One of the triggers for these digestive disturbances is spicy foods.  Whenever I eat something spicy, it is a necessity to have a glass of water and a teaspoon of sugar close at hand, which is the only remedy that works for me.  Now, I don't want to hear all of your hiccup remedies.  Believe me, I've tried them all - drinking upside down from a cup, holding my breath, sticking my fingers into my ears, pulling my tongue (one of my least favorites and not recommended in a public place), and asking my husband to leap out from around the corner at an unexpected moment.  The only thing that works - and it works everytime - it to stir a spoonful of sugar into a glass of water and take as many small sips as I can without breathing.

    The point of my rambling is to tell you that these shrimp have been known to provoke my diaphragm to do the tango, though I will admit that it was well worth the annoyance.  If you don't like your food to have moxie, simply use less of the rub.

    This recipe was adapted from one by Bobby Flay.  In his recipe, he used shrimp with the shells on, applied the rub on top of the shells, and then let his guests peel the shrimp themselves.  I have made it Mr. Flay's way and it works beautifully.  If you leave the shells on, be sure to use all of the rub so that the flavors seep through to the shrimp.  If you use shrimp without shells, use about half the amount of the rub.

    Soak 8 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes.

    Preheat a grill to high heat. 

    In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon ground cumin.

    Add 2 tablespoon canola oil, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to the spice mixture and whisk well. 

    Place 1 pound of large shrimp in a large bowl. If you are using shrimp with the shells on, add all of the spice mixture. For shrimp with no shells, use half of the spice mixture. Stir until the shrimp are well coated.

    I made a smaller portion because the kids wanted to leave the hiccups to me.

    Thread the shrimp onto the skewers. Be certain that the skewer goes through the head and tail of each shrimp so that they are easier to turn on the grill.

    Place the skewered shrimp on the grill and cook until just barely done, turning halfway through cooking.

    The cooking time will be 4-5 minutes for shell-on shrimp and 2-3 minutes for no-shell shrimp.

    Remove the shrimp from the grill and slide them off of the skewers. Mix in ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions. Serve with plenty of napkins. Oh yeah, and don't forget the glass of water and sugar. Hic!

    Other shrimp recipes:

    Grilled Shrimp & Pesto Pizza
    Shrimp Scallion Dumplings
    Southwestern Shrimp Cocktail

    Grilled Shrimp with a Kick

    8 wooden skewers
    2 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika
    1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
    1 tablespoon brown sugar
    1 teaspoon ground cumin
    2 tablespoon canola oil
    1 teaspoon kosher salt
    ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    1 pound large shrimp, shells on or off
    3 cloves garlic, minced
    ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions

    Soak the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes. Preheat a grill to high heat.

    In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, ancho chili powder, brown sugar, ground cumin, canola oil, salt, pepper, and minced garlic.  Whisk well.

    Place the shrimp in a large bowl. If you are using shrimp with the shells on, add all of the spice mixture. For shrimp with no shells, use half of the spice mixture. Stir until the shrimp are well coated.

    Thread the shrimp onto the skewers. Be certain that the skewer goes through the head and tail of each shrimp so that they are easier to turn on the grill.

    Place the skewered shrimp on the grill and cook until just barely done, turning halfway through cooking.  The cooking time will be 4-5 minutes for shell-on shrimp and 2-3 minutes for no-shell shrimp.  Remove the shrimp from the grill and slide them off of the skewers. Mix in the green onions. Serve.

    Makes 4 appetizer servings.

    Printable recipe

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Alisa

        July 18, 2009 at 7:11 pm

        Come to think of it,spicy food also gives me some nasty hiccups, but holding my breath works.When I make this, I'd be sure to take that sugar and glass of water right next to me :)Great recipe!

        Reply
      2. Cookin' Canuck

        July 11, 2009 at 3:01 pm

        Thanks so much, Amanda!

        Reply
      3. HannahBanana aka Amanda

        July 10, 2009 at 9:40 pm

        Come by my blog and see the award I just nominated you for...and I've linked to your site!
        All the best, Amanda
        http://www.dosesofnourishment.blogspot.com

        Reply
      4. Kim, Ordinary Recipes Made Gourmet

        July 10, 2009 at 5:05 pm

        What a funny story, you had me laughing about the hiccups although I'm certainly not laughing at you! I'd risk it too though to eat this shrimp dish! They look so good!!!! And I do love my spicy food!

        Reply
      5. KrisKishere

        July 10, 2009 at 3:30 pm

        I can totally sympathize with the hiccuping. My husband tells me to hold my breath, but they'll just come right back if I do! These shrimp look really good, the color of them is beautiful!

        Reply
      6. Mel @ bouchonfor2.com

        July 10, 2009 at 4:50 am

        Shrimp are one of my fav things to grill. So easy, don't have to worry about under-cooking, and the flavour the grill lends melds perfectly. Gorgeous pictures. Always a fan of your work <3

        Reply
      7. Claudia

        July 10, 2009 at 1:35 am

        Looks gorgeous! I grilled my spicy shrimp this eve but it was notas pretty as yours!

        Reply
      8. Angie's Recipes

        July 09, 2009 at 7:36 pm

        These look really delicious!

        Angie's Recipes

        Reply
      9. JehanP

        July 09, 2009 at 7:26 pm

        This looks great...I know I will love the sweet heat of this shrimp..have to give this a try.

        Reply
      10. Jenn

        July 09, 2009 at 7:22 pm

        I LOVE shrimp. These look great. I like the "kick" you added. Ironically it's right about lunch time right now and I think I want to have me some shrimp.

        Reply
      11. Mixing Bowl Mama

        July 09, 2009 at 5:47 pm

        I love spicy shrimp and I love grilled shrimp and this looks very yummy! I'm Canadian as well and have found your blog via HWTM...it's great!

        Reply
      12. Maria

        July 09, 2009 at 4:01 pm

        I love the added kick! Looks great!

        Reply
      13. Laura

        July 09, 2009 at 3:43 pm

        This looks absolutely delicious. Love the colors.

        Reply
      14. HannahBanana aka Amanda

        July 09, 2009 at 3:34 pm

        oohhh a quick question...where do you get your ancho chili powder from? Online?

        Reply
      15. HannahBanana aka Amanda

        July 09, 2009 at 3:30 pm

        These look and sound great...I love using smoked paprika on seafood, it really adds so much flavor! I like that you made them without the shells....eating them with the shells would be an etiquette catastrophe for me!

        Reply
      16. Cooking Mama

        July 09, 2009 at 3:30 pm

        Yumza! These look good. I tried BBQ shrimp the other night on my own and it was a disaster. It may have helped if I wouldn't have used already cooked shrimp. Duh! 🙂

        I know you said you didn't want hiccup remedies but the only thing that works for me is to eat a huge teaspoonful of peanut butter. It works every time.

        Reply
      17. tastyeatsathome

        July 09, 2009 at 1:45 pm

        I love shrimp, and I love spicy. These sound like an excellent speedy dinner!

        Reply
      18. Belinda @Zomppa

        July 09, 2009 at 1:35 pm

        This looks soooooooooooooooooooo good - and gorgeous! I can't wait to try it.

        Reply
      19. Miranda

        July 09, 2009 at 1:15 pm

        This looks absolutely terrific.
        My husband LOVES shrimp and spicy. WHat a great combo
        Thank you...

        Reply

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