A simple broiled shrimp recipe is the perfect easy and healthy dinner for busy evenings. Thanks to plenty of garlic, zesty Old Bay seasoning, and fresh rosemary, the marinade infuses the tender shrimp with delicious flavor — and they cook in just 5 minutes!
Table of Contents
Shrimp is always well received at the table! Whether you serve cajun shrimp pasta alfredo, honey garlic shrimp, fried shrimp, shrimp pesto pasta, crispy marinated grilled shrimp, Charleston pickled shrimp, or my mom’s Southern shrimp and grits, the quick-cooking shellfish makes an affordable and fast weeknight meal. However, once you learn how to broil shrimp, you might never want it any other way!
With even just a short soak, the marinade infuses the shrimp with the fresh flavors of garlic, herbs, seafood seasoning, and a touch of sweet honey. Serve the broiled shrimp with a side of rice, a crusty loaf of bread, or a Caesar salad for a light, satisfying dinner.
What cooking method is best for shrimp?
From frying to grilling, pan-searing to roasting, you can cook shrimp in a variety of ways. No matter which method you choose, cooking shrimp over higher heat (rather than low and slow) is your best bet. The high temperature yields a better texture: juicy and tender shrimp, without any stringy chewiness. A broiler’s intense, direct heat is a wonderful way to achieve this delicious result!
Why This Recipe Works
This broiled shrimp recipe works well for a number of reasons:
- The salt in the marinade (from the Old Bay seasoning) helps the shrimp retain moisture, even when cooked under high heat.
- The olive oil and honey add richness, boost browning, and highlight the shrimp’s naturally sweet flavor.
- Arranging the shrimp in a single layer on top of a wire rack allows for better airflow and even cooking.
- Placing the shrimp about 4 inches from the broiler provides enough space for the shrimp to cook evenly and brown quickly, without the need to slip the shrimp halfway through.
Broiled Shrimp Ingredients
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for a pan of broiler shrimp. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Olive oil: the fat that helps transfer fat-soluble flavors onto the shrimp, aids with browning, and also helps the shrimp retain moisture.
- Garlic: for savory flavor.
- Old Bay seasoning: this classic seafood seasoning gives the shrimp a bold, zesty flavor and a bit of spicy zip.
- Rosemary: for fresh, earthy flavor.
- Honey: emphasizes the subtle sweetness of the shrimp, and also helps to promote browning under the broiler.
- Shrimp: any size peeled, deveined shrimp will work fine. Just keep an eye on the shrimp while it’s broiling, since smaller shrimp will cook faster than jumbo shrimp or extra large shrimp.
How to Broil Shrimp
You can broil shrimp in a matter of minutes, making this easy recipe perfect for busy weeknights. Prep the marinade in the morning or the night before, and a quick meal will be ready for the table in just minutes. I’ve included the detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick version:
- Marinate the shrimp for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
- Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on top of a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Broil the shrimp for 3-5 minutes, or until cooked through. Seafood perfection!
What to Serve with Broiled Shrimp
This versatile broiled shrimp goes well with almost any of your favorite sides. Here are some ideas to try:
- Hush Puppies
- Rice Pilaf, Easy Mushroom Risotto, or Charleston Red Rice
- Pesto Pasta, 5-Ingredient Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes, or Pomodoro Sauce
- Coleslaw or Vinegar Coleslaw
- Baked Potato Wedges, Baked Potatoes, Easy Potato Salad, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, or Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
- Cheese Grits
- Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits, 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, 4-Ingredient Butter Swim Biscuits, 7UP Biscuits, Sweet Potato Biscuits, Cheese Biscuits, Pumpkin Spice Biscuits, Cheddar Biscuits with Chives and Bacon, or Drop Biscuits
- Cast Iron Cornbread, Sour Cream Cornbread, Fluffy Bakery-Style Corn Muffins, Broccoli Cornbread, Southern Cornbread, Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn, Sweet Cornbread, Pumpkin Cornbread, Cake Mix Cornbread, Skillet Cornbread, Corn Sticks, or Honey Butter Cornbread
- Crusty French Baguette, No-Knead Bread, Dutch Oven Bread, No-Knead Cast Iron Focaccia, or Dinner Rolls
- 3-Ingredient Sour Cream Muffins
- Wedge Salad, Classic Caesar Salad, House Salad with Candied Pecans, Mixed Greens with Dijon Vinaigrette, Southern Caesar Salad, or a Green Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
- Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon or Southern-Style Green Beans
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Southern Succotash or Summer Corn Salad
- Southern Collard Greens, Sweet and Spicy Collard Greens with Bacon, or Sauteed Spinach with Garlic
- Fried Okra or Okra and Tomatoes
- Broccoli and Cheese
- Easy Pasta Salad, Southern Macaroni Salad, or Couscous Salad
- Southern Squash Casserole
- Fried Cabbage with Apples and Onion, Braised Red Cabbage, or Roasted Cabbage
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Marinate the shrimp for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
- Leftover shrimp will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To extend the life of the shrimp, you can wrap it tightly and keep it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Reheat the shrimp gently in a skillet over low heat, just until warmed through. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30 seconds or so.
Recipe Variations
- Can you broil shrimp from frozen? Technically, yes — but the finished dish won’t be nearly as good. Frozen shrimp don’t absorb as much flavor from the marinade. Since frozen shrimp contain more liquid, they will steam rather than brown under the broiler. Instead, thaw frozen shrimp quickly before marinating. To do so, place the frozen shrimp in a colander. Run them under cold water for a few minutes, just until they’re thawed.
- Cooking for a smaller family? Cut all of the ingredients in half and prepare just 1 lb. of shrimp.
- Swap out the rosemary and use other fresh herbs that you enjoy, such as cilantro, parsley, thyme, chives, oregano, basil, or a combination of these. Sliced green onions would also be a great addition.
- Don’t have fresh rosemary? Substitute with about 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary.
- Use about ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder instead of the fresh cloves.
- Try adding other spices to the marinade, such as cumin, onion powder, paprika, or Italian seasoning.
Tips for the Best Broiled Shrimp Recipe
- Use a rasp (microplane) to grate the garlic into a paste. This way you don’t end up with chunks of garlic in the marinade, the garlic will infuse more easily into the shrimp, and won’t burn under the broiler.
- Allow the shrimp to sit on the counter at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before broiling. This will help them cook more evenly.
- Keep a close eye on the shrimp when they’re broiling. They can go from raw to done in seconds! Overcooked shrimp will have a tough, chewy texture, so you’ll want to make sure to pull them out as soon as they turn pink and get a little bit of charring on them.
- Season the shrimp with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste after they’re done. The Old Bay contains quite a bit of salt, so they might not need anything more.
- Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a bright, acidic finishing touch.
More Easy Shrimp Recipes to Try
Honey Garlic Shrimp
15 minutes mins
Marinated Grilled Shrimp
35 minutes mins
Garlic Butter Shrimp with Old Bay
25 minutes mins
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Garlic and Rosemary Broiled Shrimp
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, grated to paste
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 lbs. shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Optional garnish: lemon wedges; chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, or additional rosemary)
Instructions
- Whisk together olive oil, garlic paste, Old Bay, rosemary, and honey in a large bowl. Add the shrimp; toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. When ready to cook the shrimp, allow them to sit on the counter at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
- Adjust an oven rack about 4 inches from the broiler element and preheat broiler on HIGH. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and set a wire rack on top. Spritz the rack with nonstick cooking spray.
- Remove the shrimp from the bowl, shaking off any excess marinade. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on the wire rack on top of the baking sheet.
- Broil until the shrimp are opaque and starting to char in spots, about 3-5 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and chopped fresh herbs, if desired.
Notes
- Use a rasp (microplane) to grate the garlic into a paste. This way you don’t end up with chunks of garlic in the marinade, the garlic will infuse more easily into the shrimp, and won’t burn under the broiler.
- Allow the shrimp to sit on the counter at room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before broiling. This will help them cook more evenly.
- Keep a close eye on the shrimp when they’re broiling. They can go from raw to done in seconds! Overcooked shrimp will have a tough, chewy texture, so you’ll want to make sure to pull them out as soon as they turn pink and get a little bit of charring on them.
- Season the shrimp with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste after they’re done. The Old Bay contains quite a bit of salt, so they might not need anything more.
- Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a bright, acidic finishing touch.
Super simple dish with excellent flavor! You did it again!
Thank you, Heather!