Description
This smoked shrimp recipe delivers tender, flavorful shrimp infused with smoky aromas from cherry, apple, or hickory wood chips. Perfect as a main course or appetizer, these shrimp are marinated with a blend of smoked paprika, garlic, and lemon juice, then slow smoked to a perfect pink and firm texture. Ideal for seafood lovers looking for a simple yet impressive dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Marinade
- 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Smoking
- Wood chips for smoking (cherry, apple, or hickory recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat Smoker: Preheat your smoker to 225°F using your preferred wood chips such as cherry, apple, or hickory, which will impart a sweet and smoky aroma to the shrimp.
- Marinate Shrimp: In a large bowl, combine the shrimp with olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Toss well to coat evenly and let marinate for 10–15 minutes while the smoker heats up to enhance flavor infusion.
- Arrange Shrimp for Smoking: Place the marinated shrimp in a single layer on a grill tray or wire rack that fits inside your smoker to ensure even cooking and smoke exposure.
- Smoke the Shrimp: Insert the tray into the preheated smoker and cook the shrimp for 30–40 minutes, until they become firm, change to a vibrant pink color, and acquire a delicate smoky taste.
- Serve: Remove shrimp from the smoker promptly to prevent overcooking, and serve immediately with lemon wedges or your preferred dipping sauce for an elegant and smoky seafood experience.
Notes
- Smoked shrimp are delicious served warm or chilled, making them versatile for salads, tacos, or appetizers.
- For a more intense flavor, marinate the shrimp up to 1 hour before smoking.
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp as they can become rubbery and lose their tender texture.
