This Texas Roadhouse grilled shrimp recipe is juicy, smoky, garlicky, and full of bright lemon herb flavor. Jumbo shrimp are tossed in a simple marinade with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, oregano, paprika, and seasonings, then grilled until tender and lightly charred.
It is perfect for quick dinners, summer cookouts, seafood nights, appetizers, rice bowls, salads, or a restaurant-style meal at home. The shrimp cook fast, the marinade is simple, and the final dish tastes fresh, savory, and satisfying without needing a heavy sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Texas Roadhouse Grilled Shrimp
- It cooks quickly and is ready in minutes once the shrimp are marinated.
- The lemon herb marinade gives the shrimp bright, savory flavor.
- Garlic, paprika, and oregano make the shrimp taste bold without being complicated.
- It works as a main dish, appetizer, salad topping, or rice bowl protein.
- The grilled edges add smoky flavor and a restaurant-style look.
- You can make it on an outdoor grill, grill pan, or under the broiler.
What Makes This Recipe Special
What makes this grilled shrimp special is the simple marinade. Olive oil helps coat the shrimp, lemon juice adds brightness, garlic gives savory flavor, and parsley brings a fresh finish.
The shrimp are threaded onto skewers and cooked quickly over medium-high heat. This gives them a lightly charred outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Shrimp
- Jumbo shrimp: Use large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined. Shrimp around 16/20 count work well because they stay juicy on the grill.
- Lemon wedges: Serve on the side for squeezing over the hot shrimp before eating.
For the Marinade
- Olive oil: Helps the marinade coat the shrimp and prevents them from drying out on the grill.
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds brightness and a fresh seafood-friendly flavor.
- Fresh parsley: Adds color and a clean herb finish.
- Fresh garlic: Gives the shrimp a bold savory flavor. Fresh garlic is best for this recipe.
- Dried oregano: Adds warm herb flavor and pairs well with lemon and garlic.
- Paprika: Adds color and mild warmth. Smoked paprika can be used for a deeper smoky flavor.
- Salt: Seasons the shrimp and brings out their natural sweetness.
- Black pepper: Adds a simple savory bite.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Optional, but they add a little heat.
Optional Serving Additions
- Extra parsley: Sprinkle on top for a fresh finish.
- Garlic butter: Optional for serving if you want a richer finish, but it is not required.
- Rice: Great for turning the shrimp into a full meal.
- Grilled vegetables: Add color and make the plate more complete.
Best Tips Before You Start
Pat the shrimp dry before adding them to the marinade. Dry shrimp absorb flavor better and grill more evenly.
Do not marinate the shrimp too long. Lemon juice is acidic, and too much time in the marinade can change the texture of the shrimp.
If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water before grilling. This helps prevent the skewers from burning over the heat.
Watch the shrimp closely while cooking. Shrimp cook very quickly and can become rubbery if left on the grill too long.
How to Make Texas Roadhouse Grilled Shrimp
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
Peel and devein the shrimp if needed. You can leave the tails on for a prettier presentation or remove them for easier eating.
Step 2: Make the Marinade
In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, chopped parsley, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Step 3: Marinate the Shrimp
Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss until every piece is coated. Cover and let the shrimp marinate briefly so the flavors can soak in.
Step 4: Prepare the Skewers
Thread the shrimp onto skewers, placing several shrimp on each skewer. Try not to pack them too tightly so they cook evenly.
Step 5: Heat the Grill
Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates if needed to prevent sticking.
Step 6: Grill the First Side
Place the shrimp skewers on the hot grill. Cook until the first side turns pink, lightly charred, and opaque around the edges.
Step 7: Flip and Finish
Flip the skewers and cook the second side until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through. This usually takes only a few minutes total.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.
Recipe Tips
- Use jumbo shrimp so they stay juicy on the grill.
- Pat shrimp dry before marinating for better texture.
- Do not marinate longer than needed because lemon juice can affect the shrimp texture.
- Soak wooden skewers before grilling.
- Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat.
- Remove shrimp from the grill as soon as they turn opaque.
- Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Substitutions and Variations
Smoked Paprika Shrimp
Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika for a deeper grilled flavor. This version is especially good if you are using a grill pan indoors.
Spicy Grilled Shrimp
Add more crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade. Start small and adjust depending on how much heat you like.
Garlic Butter Finish
After grilling, brush the shrimp lightly with melted garlic butter. This gives the shrimp a richer finish while keeping the lemon herb marinade as the main flavor.
Lemon Herb Shrimp Bowls
Serve the grilled shrimp over rice with cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, grilled corn, and extra lemon. This makes an easy lunch or dinner bowl.
Broiled Shrimp Version
If you do not have a grill, place the shrimp skewers on a lined baking sheet and broil them briefly on each side. Watch closely so they do not overcook.
Grill Pan Version
Use a hot grill pan on the stovetop. Work in batches if needed so the shrimp can sear instead of steam.
Make-Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the marinade ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Add the shrimp closer to cooking time so they do not sit too long in the lemon juice.
Cooked shrimp are best served right away, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or enjoy cold over salads. Avoid overheating because shrimp can become tough quickly.
Freezing cooked shrimp is possible, but the texture is best when freshly grilled. If using frozen raw shrimp, thaw them completely and pat them dry before marinating.
What to Serve with Texas Roadhouse Grilled Shrimp
Serve these grilled shrimp with rice, cilantro rice, roasted potatoes, pasta, garlic bread, dinner rolls, or a simple green salad.
For vegetables, pair them with grilled corn, roasted Brussels sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, green beans, zucchini, cucumber salad, or tomato salad.
For a restaurant-style meal, serve the shrimp with seasoned rice, lemon wedges, garlic bread, and a fresh side salad.
More Recipes You May Like
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes. Thaw frozen shrimp completely before marinating, then pat them dry very well. This helps the marinade stick and keeps the shrimp from steaming.
Should I leave the tails on?
You can leave the tails on for a nicer presentation or remove them for easier eating. Both options work well.
How long should shrimp marinate?
Shrimp only need a short marinating time. Avoid leaving them in lemon juice too long because the acid can change their texture.
How do I know when shrimp are done?
Shrimp are done when they turn pink, opaque, and curl slightly. They cook quickly, so remove them from the heat as soon as they are cooked through.
Can I make this without skewers?
Yes. You can cook the shrimp directly on a grill pan or skillet. Skewers simply make them easier to flip and serve.
Can I cook these shrimp in the oven?
Yes. Broil the shrimp for a few minutes per side until opaque and cooked through. Watch closely because shrimp can overcook fast under the broiler.
This Texas Roadhouse grilled shrimp recipe is quick, juicy, garlicky, and full of lemon herb flavor. With jumbo shrimp, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, oregano, paprika, and simple seasonings, it is an easy seafood recipe for grilling season, weeknight dinners, appetizers, and fresh summer meals.
Texas Roadhouse Grilled Shrimp
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and place them in a bowl.
- Add olive oil, paprika, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using) to the bowl. Toss until shrimp are coated.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until hot.
- Add shrimp in a single layer. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, until pink and curled.
- Reduce heat to low, add butter, and additional garlic if desired. Toss for 20 to 30 seconds until shrimp are fully coated.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and serve immediately.
Leave a comment