Louisiana Style BBQ Shrimp
Saucy Louisiana shrimp cooked in a herbed butter sauce. Serve with crusty bread. Easy, spicy, and best with heads on.
This Louisiana Style BBQ Shrimp recipe is a favorite of ours from Louisiana. It's not a BBQ in the traditional sense, but herbed shrimp. It's best with shrimp with heads on, but if you can't find them, headless will do.
Submitted by: Helen from Albany, OR
Yield: 8 appetizer servings
- This is a saucy, herbed shrimp cooked in butter and olive oil, not grilled BBQ.
- Use heads-on shrimp when possible, cook just until opaque and pink, then let rest in the sauce.
- Serve with crusty bread for dipping; adjust cayenne or add chipotle for spice.
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Preparation Instructions:
Combine all the dry herbs and mix well. Simmer wet ingredients for the sauce on the stovetop. Add the dry herbs, stirring for about 6-7 minutes. Use a large enough pot for the shrimp to fit in a single layer.
Add the shrimp and bring to boil. Lower heat, and cook l0 minutes or more, stirring and lifting, till all are pink. Do not overcook.
Turn off heat, cover pan, and let sit to absorb the flavors for about 15 minutes.
If you prefer, you can bake the shrimp in a 400 degree oven until cooked through. Don't overcook them, they just have to be very hot throughout - too much will toughen. The longer they sit in the sauce, they better they become!
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More About This Recipe
Serve this with hot, crusty french bread to dip in the sauce, as you peel the shrimp and eat them. You can adjust the amount of cayenne, depending on your taste. Also, ground Chipotle chile pepper is good in this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called BBQ shrimp when it is cooked in butter?
In Louisiana BBQ shrimp refers to shrimp simmered in a bold, seasoned butter sauce rather than being grilled. The name comes from the rich, salty, slightly spicy sauce that tastes like classic barbecue flavors.
Can I use peeled or frozen shrimp?
Yes. Heads-on shrimp give more flavor, but peeled shrimp work if needed. If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely, pat dry, and remove excess water so the sauce does not dilute.
How do I know when the shrimp are done?
Shrimp are done when they turn opaque and pink and the flesh is firm but still tender. For medium to large shrimp this is usually about 5 to 8 minutes after the sauce returns to a simmer. Avoid long cooking or they will get tough.
Can I bake the shrimp instead of cooking on the stove?
Yes. Transfer shrimp and sauce to an ovenproof pan and bake at 400 F until shrimp are cooked through. Watch closely to avoid overcooking. Let the pan sit covered for 10 to 15 minutes to let flavors deepen.
How can I make the sauce milder or hotter?
Cut the cayenne or skip it to make the sauce milder. To boost heat and add smoke, use ground chipotle or increase the cayenne a little at a time until you hit your preferred spice level.
What should I serve with Louisiana BBQ shrimp?
Serve with hot crusty French bread to dip in the sauce. It also pairs well with steamed rice, grits, or a simple green salad. A cold beer or a crisp white wine works nicely.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Cool shrimp within two hours and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat just until hot. Reheating too long will make the shrimp rubbery.
Why is it called BBQ shrimp when it is cooked in butter?
In Louisiana BBQ shrimp refers to shrimp simmered in a bold, seasoned butter sauce rather than being grilled. The name comes from the rich, salty, slightly spicy sauce that tastes like classic barbecue flavors.
Can I use peeled or frozen shrimp?
Yes. Heads-on shrimp give more flavor, but peeled shrimp work if needed. If using frozen shrimp, thaw completely, pat dry, and remove excess water so the sauce does not dilute.
How do I know when the shrimp are done?
Shrimp are done when they turn opaque and pink and the flesh is firm but still tender. For medium to large shrimp this is usually about 5 to 8 minutes after the sauce returns to a simmer. Avoid long cooking or they will get tough.
Can I bake the shrimp instead of cooking on the stove?
Yes. Transfer shrimp and sauce to an ovenproof pan and bake at 400 F until shrimp are cooked through. Watch closely to avoid overcooking. Let the pan sit covered for 10 to 15 minutes to let flavors deepen.
How can I make the sauce milder or hotter?
Cut the cayenne or skip it to make the sauce milder. To boost heat and add smoke, use ground chipotle or increase the cayenne a little at a time until you hit your preferred spice level.
What should I serve with Louisiana BBQ shrimp?
Serve with hot crusty French bread to dip in the sauce. It also pairs well with steamed rice, grits, or a simple green salad. A cold beer or a crisp white wine works nicely.
How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Cool shrimp within two hours and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat just until hot. Reheating too long will make the shrimp rubbery.
If you are ever in New Orleans and want to taste the best bbq shrimp in the whole world go to Pascall Manelli’s on Napoleon blvd. It is just out of the french quarter in the garden district.They will put a bib on you and serve this dish on a huge piled up plate ! I liked it so much I ordered another plate before I was finished and would have had a third and forth if I could have held it. This recipe is darn close but no cigar?