Hello, all you food lovers out there! Today, we’re diving into an amazing culinary experience, perfect for those lazy, sun-soaked summer afternoons. We're talking about our 'Ultimate Summer BBQ Shrimp Extravaganza.' What sets this shrimp recipe apart is our homemade, tangy barbeque sauce, fresh shrimp, and an array of flavorful spices. So, without further ado, let's get started!
Ingredients:
For the Shrimp:
2 lbs of jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the BBQ Sauce:
2 cups of ketchup
1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of honey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional, for those who like a bit of a kick)
Salt to taste
For the Skewers:
8 wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least 20 minutes
Instructions:
Preparation of the BBQ Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice. Stir well until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. This combination gives a perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and depth of flavor to the sauce.
Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and salt. Stir again to ensure that the spices are well incorporated into the mixture.
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes. This time allows the flavors to meld together and gives the sauce a rich, deep flavor. Make sure to stir the sauce occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Once done, remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool. This sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge in an airtight container.
Preparation of the Shrimp: While the sauce is cooling, it's time to prepare the shrimp. Ensure the shrimp are thoroughly cleaned, peeled, and deveined. If you prefer, you can leave the tails on for presentation purposes. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and put them into a large mixing bowl.
Drizzle olive oil over the shrimp, and season them with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss the shrimp well to ensure they are evenly coated with oil and seasoning.
Skewering the Shrimp: Thread the shrimp onto the pre-soaked wooden skewers. This helps prevent the skewers from burning on the grill. Depending on the size of your shrimp, you should be able to fit 4-6 shrimp on each skewer. Make sure to leave a bit of space between each shrimp to allow them to cook evenly.
Grilling the Shrimp: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once heated, place the skewered shrimp on the grill. Cook them for about 2 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink. Shrimp cook quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Adding the BBQ Sauce: Once the shrimp are cooked, it's time to slather on that delicious BBQ sauce! Using a basting brush, generously coat the shrimp with the sauce. Cook them for another 1-2 minutes on each side to allow the sauce to caramelize slightly.
Final Steps: Once the shrimp are coated with the BBQ sauce and cooked to perfection, it's time to take them off the grill. Carefully remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes. This resting time allows the BBQ sauce to seep into the shrimp, enhancing the overall flavor.
Serving: Serve the BBQ shrimp skewers hot, with a side of extra BBQ sauce for dipping. They pair excellently with a fresh summer salad, grilled vegetables, or corn on the cob.
There you have it, folks - the Ultimate Summer BBQ Shrimp Extravaganza. With its smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, it's sure to be a hit at your next summer BBQ! Not only is this recipe delicious, but it's also fun to prepare. Whether you're cooking for two or hosting a summer party, give this BBQ shrimp recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
Remember, the best part about cooking is making it your own. Feel free to experiment with different spices, types of honey, or even adding a bit of bourbon to the BBQ sauce for an extra kick. The possibilities are endless.
Happy grilling!
