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Shrimp Marinade

This quick and easy shrimp marinade recipe packs sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors into your shrimp in under an hour, ensuring a delicious and flavorful dish for any occasion.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the marinade
  • 1/4 cup Olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Honey or brown sugar
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Lime zest (from about 1 lime)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Hot sauce (optional)
Main ingredient
  • 1 1/2 pounds Shrimp, peeled and deveined Buy fresh for better flavor.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey or brown sugar, minced garlic, parsley, smoked paprika, lime zest, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
  2. Taste the marinade and adjust sweetness or add a dash of hot sauce if needed.
  3. Place the shrimp in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring even coverage.
  4. Seal the bag and gently massage to distribute the marinade evenly.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, up to 1 hour.
Cooking
  1. Preheat a grill pan or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, ensuring it's properly hot before adding shrimp.
  2. Remove shrimp from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and discard the used marinade.
  3. Place shrimp in a single layer in the hot pan, avoiding overcrowding. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side.
  4. Remove from heat once shrimp are opaque and curled into a C shape.
  5. Transfer cooked shrimp to a serving platter and squeeze fresh lime juice on top. Sprinkle with additional chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Quality shrimp makes a significant impact on flavor. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper searing. Watch cooking time closely, as shrimp can overcook quickly.