If you’re a home cook and a shrimp fan, you’re missing out if you’ve never made our Texas Roadhouse shrimp recipe. These delicious little crustaceans are seasoned and grilled to perfection. The result is a crisp and flavorful bite your friends and family will go crazy for.
And best of all — it’s crazy easy.
What is the Best Type of Shrimp to Grill?
Fresh shrimp is always the best shrimp. When you’re craving this Texas Roadhouse shrimp recipe, your best bet is to use jumbo or colossal-sized shrimp. After all, everything is bigger in Texas!
If you’re along the coast where truly fresh shrimp is an option, you won’t regret using it on the grill. However, if you are struggling to find the freshest shrimp, the grocery store’s “fresh” kind will work, too.
Generally, for this recipe, it doesn’t matter what type of shrimp you use. Since you will be grilling them and putting them on a skewer, however, you’ll want to use a fairly large shrimp. Shrimp comes in a few different sizes.
There are eight different shrimp sizes, if we’re being exact. When I make this recipe at home, I use the largest shrimp I can find that my grocer has fresh: that’s usually jumbo or extra large. But depending on where you live in the United States, you might have access to different sizes. So, in short, use what you like and that you have access to. Just remember that if they are much smaller, you’ll want to adjust the grilling time to avoid drying out the shrimp.
Below is a diagram of the typical sizes of shrimp:
What do you Soak Shrimp in Before Grilling?
While it is not required to soak your shrimp before grilling, a good saltwater brine can make it extra juicy. The process is simple, so if you can wait the extra time it takes to brine, you won’t regret it. Simply soak the shrimp in a mixture of 1 tablespoon salt and a quart of water for at least 30 minutes.
Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?
You can buy frozen shrimp to use in this copycat Texas Roadhouse shrimp recipe, but it is recommended to thaw it before use. Adding seasoning or marinade to frozen shrimp doesn’t work well, as it fails to stick or soak in. Grilling shrimp that is still frozen can also result in a rubbery texture that no one will enjoy.
Thaw the shrimp by placing them in a Ziplock bag and dropping the bag in a large bowl of cool water. Leave the bag for approximately 30 minutes. When the time has elapsed, check the shrimp to ensure they are all thawed before using them in your recipe.
Important Tip: Whatever you do, don’t put the frozen shrimp in hot water! This will cook your shrimp as they thaw. And since you plan on marinating and grilling them, this isn’t recommended.
Making Grilled Texas Roadhouse Shrimp
Making a copycat grilled Texas Roadhouse shrimp recipe starts with using quality ingredients. The listed ingredients can be swapped out for those you might prefer, but this recipe comes close to the real Texas Roadhouse flavor. So, in short, the more obsessed you are with the original dish, the closer you should stick to the below ingredients 😉
One of my favorite side dishes to serve? Try our Redneck Caviar recipe!
Ingredients
Peeled and deveined shrimp – It is up to you whether you remove the shrimp tails or leave them on. They are more aesthetically pleasing with the crispy tails on, but some people prefer to remove them before cooking. (We personally keep them on in our house, our dog loves them!)
Olive oil – Other forms of cooking oil are acceptable. If you’re looking for an alternative oil option, avocado oil can be substituted; if you just need an oil with a high heat point, vegetable or canola oil will work.
Salt – Even if you opted for a saltwater brine, the salt in the seasoning mix adds a flavor that you don’t want to miss. If you’re sensitive to salt, you could drop this to ¼ teaspoon if using the brine bath.
Lemon juice – The actual Texas Roadhouse shrimp recipe uses lemon juice, but you can trade it out for lime juice if that’s what you have on hand. The flavor might change slightly, but it will still be similar. It’s also recommended to use fresh lemon juice.
Oregano – This earthy and bitter herb adds a strong flavor to your grilled shrimp. It’s an Italian favorite and provides an aromatic component to the dish.
Basil – Basil is a popular herb in various types of cuisine and adds a robust flavor to your meal. While there is only ½ teaspoon in the Texas Roadhouse shrimp recipe, it brings a slightly sweet and savory element to the meal.
Black pepper – Just a bit of black pepper enhances the flavor. This shrimp recipe isn’t intended to be spicy, but if you want to kick it up a notch, some extra pepper could help.
Garlic powder – Everyone loves garlic! When it comes to this shrimp dish, garlic is essential.
Paprika – Paprika offers the shrimp a sweet and peppery taste, but the added bonus is in color. This is a fantastic ingredient to give your shrimp a lively, reddish color that will make anyone want to try it.
Onion powder – The onion powder in this recipe is slight but adds a subtle spice that amplifies the entire dish.
Parsley – While the chopped parsley is only used as a garnish, the greenery contrasts the shrimp’s red color. Plus, the earthy elements it brings to the palate make this Texas Roadhouse shrimp recipe hard to beat!
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, lemon juice, oregano, basil, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Stir well.
- Toss in the peeled and deveined shrimp with tongs and a ladle to coat well. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes. Do not leave in the marinade for more than an hour.
- Remove from the fridge and place marinated shrimp on a skewer, evenly spaced.
- Place over medium-high heat and grill for 3 minutes per side.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the temperature is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures can result in dry shrimp.
- Serve this Texas Roadhouse shrimp skewer over a bed of rice and alongside some grilled asparagus with garlic butter as a dipping sauce. Fresh lemon wedges can also be a nice addition. You could also serve the shrimp on a flat surface like a wooden tray as an appetizer.
What to Serve with Texas Shrimp
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Steak
Smoked Corn on the Cob
Sauces for Rice
Grandma Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie
Cowboy Caviar
Leftover Fried Chicken Recipes
Texas Roadhouse Shrimp Recipe (A Copycat Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 lbs shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 tbs olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tbs lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, lemon juice, oregano, basil, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Stir well.
- Toss in the peeled and deveined shrimp with tongs and a ladle to coat well. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes. Do not leave in the marinade for more than an hour.
- Remove from the fridge and place marinated shrimp on a skewer, evenly spaced.
- Place over medium-high heat and grill for 3 minutes per side.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the temperature is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures can result in dry shrimp.
- Serve this Texas Roadhouse shrimp skewer over a bed of rice and alongside some grilled asparagus with garlic butter as a dipping sauce. Fresh lemon wedges can also be a nice addition. You could also serve the shrimp on a flat surface like a wooden tray as an appetizer.
Notes
Nutrition
More Shrimp Recipes
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If you have leftover shrimp, store your grilled Texas Roadhouse shrimp recipe in an airtight container in your refrigerator. It can last for up to three days.
