To cook shrimp on a charcoal grill, you can follow these steps:
- Preparing the shrimp: Start by selecting fresh shrimp, either peeled or unpeeled, whichever you prefer. If the shrimp is unpeeled, remove the shell and leave the tail on for a better presentation. Rinse the shrimp thoroughly and pat them dry using a paper towel.
- Marinating the shrimp (optional): You can marinate the shrimp if desired, although it is not necessary. For a simple marinade, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss the shrimp in the marinade and let it sit for about 15-30 minutes.
- Preparing the grill: Prepare a charcoal grill by lighting the charcoal and letting it burn until it becomes hot and covered in white ash. Arrange the hot coals in a single layer for even cooking.
- Oil the grill grates: Using tongs, rub a folded paper towel soaked in vegetable oil over the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- Cooking the shrimp: Place the shrimp directly on the preheated grill grates. Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes per side until they turn opaque and pink. Avoid overcooking to prevent rubbery texture.
- Flipping the shrimp: Use tongs to carefully flip the shrimp halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that both sides cook evenly.
- Testing for doneness: You can test for doneness by cutting into a thick part of a shrimp and checking its color. Cooked shrimp will be opaque and should have a pink or orange hue.
- Removing from heat: Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the grill using tongs or a spatula. Transfer them to a serving platter or plate.
- Serving: Serve the grilled shrimp immediately with your preferred accompaniments, such as a squeeze of fresh lemon, cocktail sauce, or a herb-infused butter.
Remember to exercise caution while grilling to prevent any accidents and be sure to preheat the grill adequately. Enjoy your delicious grilled shrimp straight from the charcoal grill!
Best Charcoal Grills of July 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830SC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker with Cover, 811 Square Inches, Black, Outdoor Camping
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811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Tasty Smoke Flavors: The offset smoker is firmly attached to grill to ensure good circulation of heat and smoke. Easy to open side door to add charcoal and remove ashes; air vent stokes fire instantly.
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Adjustable Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan creates better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check and monitor the cooking temperature and you can cook with great confidence.
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Grill Cover Included: Made of heavy-duty fabric, the cover protects your grill from elements and withstands the harshest weather.
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Ample Space: Front and side tables offer workspace for seasonings and grilling tools. The bottom shelf provides extra storage space and holds up to only 20 lb. accessories when they are evenly distributed.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Weber Original Kettle 22-Inch Charcoal Grill
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Stay true to the modern version of the kettle that started it all—the Original Kettle, invented by Weber’s founder, and loved around the world. Its ultra-durable, porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, while the damperseasily adjust for precise temperature control. With a One-Touch cleaning system for easy cleanup after a long day of grilling, the Original Kettle will always be the grill built for everyone
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Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press
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One-Touch cleaning system provides hassle-free ash cleanup.Removable, aluminum ash catcher
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Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl Retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
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Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
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Dampers allow you to easily control the temperature inside your grill
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3D interactive assembly instructions for this product are available through the free BILT app.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Char-Griller E1515 Patio Pro Charcoal Grill, Black
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CHARCOAL GRILL - Barrel style BBQ Grill with heavy duty steel construction and powder coating finish, the perfect grilling solution for small decks, backyards, and patios
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LARGE COOKING AREA - 250 square inch total cooking area delivers exceptional taste and charcoal flavor
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BARBECUE GRILL FEATURES - Thick Cast Iron Cooking Grates, Bottom Storage Rack, Heavy-Duty Steel Construction, Side Air Vent, Stay Cool Wood Handle, Wheels for Easy Mobility, and Side Shelf Workstation with Barbecue Tool Storage Hooks
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EASY TO ASSEMBLE & CLEAN - Assembles easily and quickly cleans up after use with the Easy Dump Ash Pan
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830 30 Barrel Charcoal Grill with Side Table, 627 Square Inches, Outdoor Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black
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627 Smoking Space: 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates with 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack offer enough space to cook.
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Heat Control: Close the side air vent completely that cuts off the oxygen flow to help extinguish coals and adjust the smoke stack for extra heat control.
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Adjustable Fire Grates: 2-level height-adjustable fire pan ensures more controlled cooking and holds up to 6 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check heat fluctuations for confident grilling.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CD1824M 24-Inch Charcoal Grill, BBQ Smoker with Handle and Folding Table, Perfect for Outdoor Patio, Garden and Backyard Grilling, Black, Medium
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Spacious Cooking Area: 384 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates and 106 sq. in. stainless steel warming rack provide a total of 490 sq. in. cooking space respectively, serving up to 10 people.
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Height-adjustable Charcoal Pan: The crank handle controls the distance between the charcoal pan and food for fine-tuning temperature and regulating heat. The charcoal pan holds charcoal up to 4.5 lb. for each use.
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Convenient Access Door: Front charcoal access door with heat-resistant spring handle provides more convenience for adding charcoal and controls heat loss to a minimum during cooking.
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Built-in Thermometer Gauge: The lid-mounted thermometer indicates the temperature changes precisely in real-time.
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Air Flow: Two adjustable air vents control air circulation to enhance sufficient burning of charcoal for efficient smoking.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Royal Gourmet Barrel Charcoal Grill with Front Storage Basket, Backyard BBQ Party and Outdoor Cooking Grill on Clearance Prime with Wheels, Black, CC1830T
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Additional Cooking Options: The charcoal grill can meet your versatile cooking demands by slow smoking or grilling ribs, veggies, lobster tails, or other preferred ingredients.
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Ample Cooking Area: To accommodate 23 hamburgers at once, there are 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates and a 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack as a secondary heating area.
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Impressive Storage: Store seasonings in the front basket, hang some cooking utensils on the integrated hooks, place plates and other food on the side tables, and meanwhile put your charcoal on the bottom storage shelf.
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Adjustable Charcoal Pan: Easily control the distance between food and fire with the lifting handle to regulate cooking temperature, which also saves fuel in the meantime.
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Heat Control: Customize your desired temperature by twisting the air damper and smoke stack, thus getting the best cooking results.
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill, 22-Inch, Black
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Holds up to 13 burgers made with a Weber burger press; Built-in lid thermometer. Rust-resistant aluminum dampers
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One-Touch cleaning system with high-capacity ash catcher provides hassle-free ash cleanup
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Porcelain-enameled lid and bowl retain heat, and won’t rust or peel
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Use the lid hook to avoid placing the lid on the ground while grilling
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Cooking grate is hinged for easily adding charcoal while grilling
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830S 30" BBQ Charcoal Grill and Offset Smoker | 811 Square Inch cooking surface, Outdoor for Camping | Black
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811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Tasty Smoke Flavors: The offset smoker is firmly attached to grill to ensure good circulation of heat and smoke. Easy to open side door to add charcoal and remove ashes; air vent stokes fire instantly.
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Adjustable Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan creates better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lbs. of coal.
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Temperature Monitor: Lid-mounted thermometer gauge helps check and monitor the cooking temperature and you can cook with great confidence.
9
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
Dyna-Glo DGN576SNC-D X-Large Premium Dual Chamber Charcoal Grill
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Removable firebox divider for single or dual cooking zone
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Primary cooking area is 576 square inches
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Secondary cooking area is 240 square inches
10
Rating is 4.1 out of 5
Royal Gourmet CC1830W 30 Barrel Charcoal Grill with Side Table, 627 Square Inches, Outdoor Backyard, Patio and Parties, Black
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Spacious Cooking Area: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated steel wire warming rack, and 184 sq. in. offset smoker.
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Offset Smoker: Use the side fire box to get tasty and authentic smoky flavors in the main chamber. Smoking, grilling, or searing all will be your choices.
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Adjustable Charcoal Pan: 2-level height-adjustable charcoal pan ensures better heat control and holds up to 4.4 lb. of coal.
Can I grill different sizes of shrimp together or should I separate them?
It is generally better to separate shrimp into similar sizes when grilling. This will ensure that they all cook evenly and prevent smaller shrimp from overcooking or larger shrimp from being undercooked. By separating them, you can adjust the grilling time accordingly for each size.
Can I use a grill basket or skewer to cook shrimp on a charcoal grill?
Yes, you can use a grill basket or skewer to cook shrimp on a charcoal grill. A grill basket is especially useful for cooking smaller or more delicate pieces of shrimp, as it keeps them from falling through the grates. Skewers can be used to thread multiple shrimp onto a single stick, making them easy to handle and flip on the grill. Just be sure to soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using them to prevent them from burning. Additionally, if you are using skewers, it's a good idea to thread the shrimp tightly together to prevent them from spinning and making it difficult to flip.
Should I remove the tail from the shrimp before grilling?
It is generally recommended to remove the tail from shrimp before grilling. Leaving the tail on can make it harder to remove the shell and eat the shrimp once it is cooked. Removing the tail also allows for easier handling and even cooking. However, some people prefer to leave the tail on for presentation purposes or if they enjoy eating the tail. Ultimately, it is a personal preference.
Can I use a marinade brush while grilling shrimp or will it cause flare-ups?
Using a marinade brush while grilling shrimp may cause flare-ups, especially if the marinade contains oil or other flammable ingredients. When the marinade comes into contact with the direct heat of the grill, it can cause flames to rise and potentially lead to flare-ups. It is recommended to brush on the marinade before grilling the shrimp, ensuring an even coat, and being cautious with the heat to prevent flare-ups.
