Grilled Firecracker Shrimp are spicy, garlicky and a little zesty from the lime. Perfect as an appetizer, less than 30-minute dinner or on top of a crisp salad.
Appetizer or Light Main
With a glass of wine in one hand and a skewer of grilled Firecracker Shrimp, you have the recipe for the perfect gathering. You are going to love these crunchy perfectly grilled shrimps with the delightful spicy marinade. Drizzle on a little extra freshly squeezed lime juice and you are in heaven.
The only question you may want to ask yourself is, “Why didn’t I try this recipe sooner”? Delicious over a summer salad or with a side of pineapple fried rice.
Bring on the Heat
Grilled shrimp marinated in Sriracha hot chili sauce is one of those perfect treats for the grill. Sriracha sauce has some punch to it but is more flavorful that just traditional hot sauce. If you do not have Sriracha hot chili sauce, try making your own Asian chili sauce at home.
Control the Spice Level
If you like it spicy, add 2 tablespoons of chili sauce. On the other hand, if you like it only mildly spicy, add 1 tablespoon or less of sriracha sauce to your liking. Every person has their own personal desired flavor profile.
Food on a Stick
Everything is more fun when you can eat on the go! This shrimp appetizer would be a great as a football tailgating treat too. What do you think? If you are keen to serving fun appetizer food on a stick, be sure to try our World's Easiest Appetizer, Caprese Salad on a Stick.
Oldie but Goodie
We originally made this firecracker shrimp recipe on October 2011 on the grill whilst looking over the China Sea. It was also our inspiration for the start of entertaining plan for our favorite Asian BBQ and grilling recipes. This recipe was adapted from the recipe on the back of the Sriracha hot chili sauce in Hong Kong.
As directions were only in Chinese characters, the word "adapted" or maybe "vaguely" like it might be more like it. Thank goodness for the pictures.
How to Prepare Shrimp
- If you plan to skewer your shrimp, soak your bamboo sticks in water for water for at least minutes. This prevents the bamboo sticks from burning while grilling. You can also use one of those cool grilling baskets that keep small food items from falling in the grill and skip the skewers.
- Make sure that you peel and devein your raw shrimp first. You can leave the shrimp tail on or off.
- Do not use precooked shrimp for this recipe or otherwise it will be tough and rubbery and no wants a tough and rubbery shrimp. The effect you are going for is crunchy and juicy.
- Allow your shrimp to marinate for about 15 minutes in the delicious spicy sriracha garlic sauce. Maximum up to one hour.
How to Grill Shrimp
- Preheat your grill to medium heat about 350 degrees F.
- Grill the shrimp over direct, medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Turn your shrimp over half way though the cooking process.
- Your goal is that the shrimp should be pink with a few grill marks and the inside of the shrimp should be opaque and lightly white in color. Grilled shrimp should not look translucent.
Do Not Overcook your Shrimp
If you overcook your shrimp, they will be super white on the inside and no longer crunchy but rubbery.
Perfectly cooked shrimp with look like the letter “C”. Whereas, over cooked shrimp will look the letter “O”.
C = Cooked
O = Overcooked
How to Serve Grilled Firecracker Shrimp
APPETIZER: Grilled firecracker shrimp are a great appetizer along with grilled shishito peppers. Allow your guests to munch on a few Spicy Garlic Cucumber Refrigerator Pickles or Gingered Red Onion Pickled Golden Beets and add a chilled glass of wine and you are sorted.
SALAD: You can also serve your spicy shrimp as a main on top of a delicious salad topped with our Lemon White Balsamic Vinaigrette or with our Grilled Shrimp Nectarine Summer Salad.
MAIN: If serving your Firecracker Grilled Shrimp as a main be sure to add our Nutty Ginger Tamari Quinoa Salad , Favorite Provencal Ratatouille Recipe or Super Easy Grilled Asian Eggplant as a delicious side dish.
More Grilling Recipe
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Grilled Firecracker Shrimp
Equipment
- grill
Ingredients
- Bamboo grilling sticks
- 1 pound shrimp
large (16 to 20 count) peeled and deveined - 2 tablespoons Sriracha Sauce
hot chili sauce (adjust amount to your liking- this version is HOT so adjust as needed) - 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoon sugar
or low glycemic sugar alternative - 4 cloves garlic
chopped - Lime slices sliced - optional
- cilantro chopped - optional
Instructions
- Place bamboo grilling sticks in water and soak submerged for at least 30 minutes (This step helps prevent the wood from burning) If you have a grilling basket, you can skip this step.
- Prepare your grill. Preheat to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C)
- Get the grilling chef a nice cold drink for one hand and get the tongs ready for the other.
- Peel and devein shrimp. You can leave the tail on or off, depending on your preference.
- Add shrimp, sriracha sauce, olive oil, salt, pepper, sugar or sugar alternative and garlic in a bowl. Toss well. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour. We marinated at room temperature so that the shrimp were ready for grill and will heat evenly. (If you need to hold the shrimp longer than 30 minutes, pop them in the refrigerator)
- Skewer shrimp onto bamboo stick and place approximately 3-5 shrimp on each stick depending on size of shrimp and bamboo stick. (Pierce head and bottom of shrimp on stick so the shrimp lays flat for grilling)
- Prepare the grill for cooking and set grill to 350 degrees F (176 C ). (If you do not have a grill you can use an indoor grill pan to get those nice little grill marks on the shrimp)
- Lay the firecracker shrimp skewers on the grill and cook for about 2- 3 minutes on each side until shrimp are opaque, slightly white inside and have nice grill marks. They should no longer be translucent.
- Garnish with a fresh squeeze of lime juice, lime slices and chopped cilantro, if desired.
Notes
RECIPE TIPS
- If you plan to skewer your shrimp, soak your bamboo sticks in water for water for at least 30 minutes. This prevents the bamboo sticks from burning while grilling.
- Do not use precooked shrimp for this recipe or otherwise it will be tough and rubbery.
- Allow your shrimp to marinate for about 15 minutes in the delicious spicy sriracha garlic sauce. Maximum up to one hour.
- You will have to adjust to your desired heat level. If you like things mildly spicy use only 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce. We used 2 tablespoons of sriracha, and it was quite spicy.
- We used coconut sugar as our sweetener, or you can use a sugar free alternative if diabetic. You can decrease down to 1 teaspoon, if you wish but this is a nice balance between the spicy, sweet, savory and sour, if using 2 tablespoons of sriracha sauce.
Eha says
Bobbi - on this side of the Pond a glass of wine for the cook is definitely a part of the mise en place ere beginning the cook! Also our prawns seem to grow bigger 😉 ! Love your recipe, especially the addition of coriander and lime . . . . hugs . . .
HWC Magazine says
Most definitely! A little wine for the dish and a lot of wine for the cook. Thanks and take care
Mimi Rippee says
Mmmm. where has this recipe been my whole life?!!
HWC Magazine says
I guess hiding! We are huge shrimp lovers too. These spicy grilled shrimp are ready in just minutes making it the perfect everyday recipe. Stay well and take care
Lynn Fenby says
These firecracker shrimp are just was delicious as they look. We had a patio party and when I walked out with a platter of these gorgeous shrimp, the crowd all exclaimed, "WOW!" They were a bit hit, and they are quick and easy to make.
HWC Magazine says
So happy to hear and thank you Lynn. These little firecracker grilled shrimp can be made as spicy or as mild as you like. Stay well and take care
Raul says
What kind of wine would you pair with this?
Healthy World Cuisine says
My top picks for a wine to pair with this dish would be maybe a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or a Sparkling Wine. Thanks for stopping by. Take Care, BAM
fleurdeselsf says
What a gorgeous dish to complement the gorgeous view!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you. We call this our million dollar view.... A balcony over looking the Victoria harbor. Pair this with a nice wine and something delicious on the BBBQ and life is good. Take Care, BAM
Taryn (Have Kitchen, Will Feed) says
These look so good. Just bought a grill - time to use it.
Janae says
This is something my husband would love; looks delicious! And what a view - how inspiring! No wonder you like to be outside. (And I'm with you on the weather - it's still in the 80s here!)
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Kay, thanks for stopping by my website as I was able to find yours. Love your style. Take Care
Kay aka Babygirl says
Wow, this Firecracker Shrimp recipe sounds amazing. And just look at those shrimp.. now I am so hungry. Great post
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide says
That is a beautiful view. I love how spicy the shrimp is too!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you. Have a great weekend!
busycookinthelou says
Ahhh, I'm so jealous of your view. It is beautiful! The shrimp look great too, but that view - OH MY!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you. The view is wonderful but if it is any conciliation to you there, most days the smog is very bad and you cannot see a thing. This particular day was an exception.
Joanne says
Wowwwwwwww that view is amazing!!!!!!!!!! My goodness!!!!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Joanne, thanks so much. You should come visit HK with your family and reminisce. Have a great day.
bellini says
You certainly do have one of the most beautiful views to inspire you. I have turned on the fireplace here in British Columbia, but we BBQ all year round here in Canada.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you. Thanks for finally releasing the suspense of your location on your morethanburnttoast website. I like the temperate climate of HK but I really do miss the changes of the seasons with the fall colors and the crisp air. Enjoy snuggling up to the fireplace in BC.
Wholesome Cook says
Yum! And your outfit today augurs well for me on Friday. I'll be arriving in HKG bright and early at 6am. Yay! Love the view from your place - gorgeous!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Martyna! Have a safe trip to HKG. I am going to be heading out of HK this Friday as well. Let me know next time you come for a visit and maybe we can gather for a quick cuppa. Take Care