This recipe for Old Bay Grilled Shrimp is familiar to seafood cooks throughout Maryland. So many cooks here keep Old Bay Seasoning in their pantries. It’s the native seasoning here for seafood and is produced by the McCormick Company, also native to Maryland. Rather than claiming Old Bay Grilled Shrimp as my recipe, I am sharing a favorite regional recipe. Besides a squeeze of lemon, there’s only one seasoning and the smoky taste of the grill that makes this shrimp so addicting.
I grilled jumbo shrimp (my favorite oxymoron) in this recipe. I also shopped for sustainable seafood for my Old Bay Grilled Shrimp. Sustainable shrimp are wild-harvested responsibly or are farmed in “fully recirculating systems or inland ponds,” Unfortunately, it cannot be apparent to determine what’s sustainable and what’s red-listed when shopping for shrimp. There are dozens of market names for shrimp. It helps to use the Seafood Watch App. I always ask fishmongers for the market names and origins of shrimp for sale. Information in the app is based on the market names and seafood sources, so don’t be shy about asking for this information. With market names and origins of shellfish and fish, I have the best chance of determining whether there is sustainable seafood available or something else (that I don’t want).
PREPARING OLD BAY GRILLED SHRIMP
The flavor of Old Bay Grilled Shrimp is enhanced when using a charcoal grill. But a gas grill or even a stove-top grill will work for this recipe as well. If you can, buy pre-cleaned shrimp. Season both sides with Old Bay Seasoning. Place shrimp in a lightly greased grilling basket or on a sheet of heavy aluminum foil sprayed with non-stick vegetable spray. Grill the significant/jump shrimp for three minutes per side. Make enough for second servings and enjoy this recipe all summer.
INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds jumbo shrimp (about 20-24 shrimp)
3 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning, plus more to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
INSTRUCTIONS:
Season both sides of shrimp with Old Bay Seasoning. Do not peel shrimp before grilling.
Place shrimp in a lightly greased grilling basket or on a sheet of heavy aluminum foil sprayed with non-stick vegetable spray.
Grill the significant/jump shrimp for three minutes per side. Remove shrimp from the grill and squeeze lemon juice over shrimp (still in the shell). Serve shrimp with additional Old Bay Seasoning for each diner to peel, eat, and enjoy.
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