Rob's BBQ Shrimp - New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp Recipe (2024)

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You’ll think you’ve been transplanted to Bourbon Street when you taste this delicious New Orleans BBQ Shrimp! And, it’s so easy that you can make it on busy weeknights!

My father-in-law is famous for this New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp. When he tells people he’s planning to make it, they literally jump up and down! Okay, I’m the only one that jumps up and down, but when you have a dish that people anticipate eating when they’re at your house, you truly have something to be proud of.

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This New Orleans BBQ Shrimp isn’t barbecued in the sense we typically think of. It’s not grilled. It’s not slathered in sweet barbecue sauce. This recipe is very similar to the recipe served at Pascal’s Manale restaurant in New Orleans, where the dish originated. But, honestly, this recipe is easier to make and way less complicated than their original recipe!

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This delicious shrimp is baked in the world’s most delicious butter sauce. It’s like a shrimp scampi with a ton of extra savory flavor.Butter, olive oil, lemon juice, loads of garlic, Worcestershire sauce, creole seasoning, bay leaves, black pepper and cayenne pepper are combined then poured over the top of the shrimp and then baked in the oven.

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The sauce seeps into the shrimp as the shrimp shell locks in the spices. Don’t let the amount of butter in this shrimp scare you! Kind of like mussels, there is a TON of extra sauce leftover.

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Recipe Substitutions:

I typically use fresh shrimp if I can find it. For the size of the shrimp, I prefer smaller shrimp or medium shrimp (30-35 count per pound) for this recipe. You can select either peeled or unpeeled shrimp, depending on your preference. I prefer using deveined shrimp, for sure.

I do not think this is a good way to use jumbo shrimp. I like to maximize the surface area of shrimp that touches the delicious buttery bath!

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Recipe Additions:

Like all recipes, you have the option to make some fun additions. Here’s are some great additions that I’ve added to this Cajun shrimp recipe with success:

  • A splash of white wine
  • Top with green onions once baked for garnish
  • Add lemon slices once baked for garnish
  • Add fresh rosemary once baked and stir to allow the herb to become fragrant
  • Add 1/2 cup Abita Amber beer to the sauce
  • If you are concerned about the butter content, substitute a portion of butter for shrimp stock or seafood stock.
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Serving Suggestions:

I like to serve this New Orleans-style BBQ Shrimp with a big loaf of French bread, a crisp, green salad and a glass of dry white wine or a festive King Cake Martini! I typically give each person a soup bowl for their shrimp, and also put a large bowl on the table for the shell discards.

You may want to tear your hot French bread into small chunks to make it easier to grab while you’re eating.

Also, grab a big bowl for the shrimp shells! Eating this barbecue shrimp recipe is a FUN, communal experience!

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​Leftovers

Save leftovers in an airtight container. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven. The butter will harden when it gets cold.

Leftover shrimp is delicious by itself, or served as BBQ Shrimp Po-Boys.

I have also saved the butter sauce in the freezer for up to 2-3 months, and reused it for a new batch of shrimp!

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Recipe Card

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Rob's Famous BBQ Shrimp (New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp)

Yield: Serves 3-4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

The BEST shrimp I've ever tasted! Cooked in butter, lemon and tons of spices.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound large raw shrimp, shell-on, deveined

For the buttery sauce:

  • ¾ pound salted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
  • juice of 1.5 large lemons
  • 1.5 tablespoons Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon black or white pepper
  • ½ tablespoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon rosemary
  • ¼ teaspoon basil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Place shrimp in a casserole dish OR a Dutch oven with the raw shrimp in a single layer.
  3. Make the sauce. In a small saucepan, melt cold butter over medium-high heat.
  4. Add garlic. Gently sauté for 1-2 minutes, until garlic is softened, but not browned.
  5. Add lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, spices and hot sauce. Heat over low-medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the liquid starts to bubble.
  6. Pour sauce over shrimp in casserole dish and place in oven to bake.
  7. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
  8. Serve warm with crusty bread.

Notes

  • We usually double this recipe! If you double the recipe, use a 9x13'' sized casserole pan.
  • Serve with crusty bread and a simple green salad.
Nutrition Information

Yield 4Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 877Total Fat 75gSaturated Fat 45gTrans Fat 3gUnsaturated Fat 25gCholesterol 422mgSodium 1854mgCarbohydrates 25gFiber 2gSugar 9gProtein 29g

The nutrition for this recipe is calculated by an app and may be incorrect.

Did you make this recipe?

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Rob's BBQ Shrimp - New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you eat New Orleans BBQ shrimp? ›

Serve with hot French bread. For a dish that's easy to eat, and still has that classic Barbeque Shrimp presentation, peel the shrimp, leaving the heads and tails on, before adding them to the sauce. Try substituting poached oysters for the shrimp, or fried oysters for a great barbeque oyster po-boy on hot French bread.

Why is it called BBQ shrimp New Orleans? ›

The “barbecue” in barbecue shrimp refers not to the process of barbecuing shrimp on a grill, but rather the sauce in which the shrimp are prepared that results in a smokey red, or “barbecued,” color!

How to cook raw shrimp on the barbecue? ›

Grill the shrimp over direct, medium heat for 5-7 minutes, turning the shrimp halfway through the process. The outside of the shrimp should turn a nice pink color when it is cooked while the meat inside should be white and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp or else it will become tough.

What pairs well with New Orleans BBQ shrimp? ›

What do you serve with New Orleans BBQ Shrimp? While a loaf of crusty bread and a pint of cold beer are hard to beat, BBQ Shrimp would also be delicious served over creamy grits or with a side of white rice and a simple salad.

What sides go with New Orleans BBQ shrimp? ›

New Orleans-style bbq shrimp with creole seasoning goes SOOO good with sweet potato fries. Homemade deep-fried sweet potato fries are a quick and easy recipe. It's a perfect pairing! This loaded potato salad is so good, even people who don't like potato salad will like this!

Who invented New Orleans BBQ shrimp? ›

Pascal's Manale in New Orleans. Pascal's Manale invented barbecue shrimp in 1953 and today it's one of the most copied New Orleans dishes in the world.

Why is Louisiana shrimp special? ›

Louisiana shrimp are prized by home cooks and restaurant chefs alike. The overall quality of our Gulf shrimp is unparalleled when it comes to taste and texture. Some call it a briny sweetness that shines in almost any culinary preparation with a texture that is unmatched by imported products.

What kind of shrimp are in New Orleans? ›

LOUISIANA SHRIMP INDUSTRY

Shrimp, namely white, brown, and seabob, have been harvested commercially in Louisiana since the 1800s and continue to be the foundation as the second largest commercial fishery in the state.

Why is BBQ shrimp called BBQ shrimp? ›

New Orleans BBQ shrimp has actually very little to do with barbecue. The Louisiana dish refers to sautéed shrimp in a garlicky, Worcestershire-spiked butter sauce. Typically made with copious amounts of butter, the shrimp are cooked and served with the shell on and then peeled at the table.

Is it better to BBQ shrimp with shell on or off? ›

In other cases, it's perfectly fine to grill shrimp with no shell. If you'd like to impart a smoky flavor, remove the shells and use a charcoal grill or a gas grill with wood chips. The shell will actually block and absorb the smoke in this instance, so it is best to remove it.

What is a good combo with shrimp? ›

13 Best Side Dishes for Shrimp That Really Complete the Meal
  • 01 of 14. Roquefort Pear Salad. ...
  • 02 of 14. Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan. ...
  • 03 of 14. Amish Macaroni Salad. ...
  • 04 of 14. Pesto Zoodles. ...
  • 05 of 14. Good for You Greek Salad. ...
  • 06 of 14. Muffin Tin Potatoes Gratin. ...
  • 07 of 14. Fresh Broccoli Salad. ...
  • 08 of 14.
May 24, 2021

Should you marinate shrimp before cooking? ›

Marinating peeled shrimp will result in more flavor soaking into the shrimp. Tails on or off is totally up to you and will probably depend on how you're serving the shrimp. If you're serving the shrimp in tacos, for instance, you'll want to remove the tails either before or after cooking the shrimp.

Do you rinse shrimp before grilling? ›

Thaw frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight or under cool running water in a colander for about an hour. Rinse and drain the shrimp in the colander and dry thoroughly before prepping for cooking.

Do you peel raw shrimp before grilling? ›

I like frozen shrimp because they are frozen quickly after they're caught, which makes them really fresh when defrosted. Whether fresh or frozen, you'll want your shrimp to be peeled and deveined.

How do you eat shrimp co*cktail at a fancy restaurant? ›

What is the proper way to eat a shrimp co*cktail in a restaurant? The proper way to eat a shrimp co*cktail in a restaurant is to start by using the small fork provided to pick up a shrimp from the co*cktail sauce. Then, bring the shrimp to your mouth and take small bites, savoring the flavor of the shrimp and the sauce.

How do you eat shrimp etiquette? ›

The shrimp in a shrimp co*cktail should be served peeled and are usually small enough to be eaten in one bite. The traditional utensil is an oyster fork, although any small fork will do. If the shrimp are bigger than one bite's worth, just spear each shrimp with your fork and cut it on the plate on which it's served.

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