One of the most delicious methods of cooking shrimp is on the grill. Shrimp are harvested locally from the offshore and inshore waters of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Fresh local shrimp are unmatched compared to frozen shrimp purchased from the grocery store. Place the grilled shrimp in hard or soft taco shells to make superb grilled shrimp tacos. Here is what you must know about grilling shrimp for tacos. 

How Long Should You Cook Shrimp On The Grill

When placing shrimp on the grill, the shrimp must be cleaned, which means removing the vein on the upper and lower side of the body. Here are the steps to deveining a shrimp.

Shrimp cook fast when grilled and must be monitored closely. Avoid overcooking as they will become dry. Consider placing the shrimp on a skewer stick or top rack to prevent them from falling through the grates. 

When cooking shrimp on the grill for tacos, oil both sides, season with a flavor of our choice, and grill two to three minutes on each side or until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp and serve quickly to avoid them from becoming cold. 

How Much Shrimp Do You Need Per Person For Tacos

Purchasing fresh white shrimp from local seafood markets or straight from the dock most commonly equates to medium-sized shrimp.

Medium shrimp run between forty and fifty shrimp per pound. We recommend placing five to six medium shrimp per taco. Expect adults to eat between two and three tacos. 

When planning the amount of shrimp to serve, friends and family consider the number of guests and the average number of tacos eaten per person. Avoid running short and leaving people hungry. White shrimp purchased directly from shrimpers is sold in five-pound bags with shells on them. 

Should You Grill Shrimp With The Shell On

Some would argue that shrimp retain moisture when grilled with the shells intact. We recommended removing the shells before grilling because of the process after the fact. Shrimp tacos do not include peel and shrimp, which would be an unpleasant experience biting into shell-coated shrimp within the shell. 

To avoid the shrimp from becoming cold, remove the shells before placing the shrimp on the grill. 

When Grilling Shrimp Do You Leave The Tail On

When grilling shrimp for tacos, remove the tail before or after cooking. The shrimp will be stuffed inside the shell and unable to be pulled free from the meat.

We recommend removing the tails before cooking because the shrimp will cool fast when adding on the additional step after they are prepared. 

How Do You Keep Shrimp From Drying Out On The Grill

The process of preventing shrimp from drying when cooking on a grill is simple. Always oil the shrimp before placing shrimp on the grill, avoid the shrimp from coming in contact with direct flames, and never overcook. 

Shrimp must be observed during the cooking process. Shrimp become dry quickly when overcooked; once the shrimp are pink and opaque, remove immediately. 

What Is Good To Serve With Shrimp Tacos

The options are endless when choosing grilled shrimp taco toppings and sides to pair with the meal. Consider these options the next time you prepare grille shrimp tacos. 

Grilled Shrimp Taco Toppings

When it comes to toppings, keep in mind that you must avoid masking the flavor of the shrimp in combination with the smoky charred taste. Avoid using overpowering additions inside of the hard or soft taco shell. 

One of the most popular toppings is slaw, a combination of shredded cabbage and carrots. Dry slaw is available pre-shredded from local grocery stores and is placed atop the shrimp. 

Pico De Gallo adds unmatched freshness with the combination of diced tomatoes, onion, and squeezed lime juice. Add the pico moments before serving to avoid the taco shell from becoming soggy. 

The last option is keeping it simple by topping the grilled shrimp with shredded lettuce or cilantro. Place a dollop of sour cream with either option. 

Grilled Shrimp Taco Sides

While grilled shrimp tacos are packed full of healthy additions, consider these sides, which pair well with the meal. 

Black beans and rice is a traditional and tasty as you can get. Combining cumin seasoned black beans above rice makes an excellent side for shrimp tacos. Check out this tremendous black bean and rice recipe. 

While the grill is hot, place seasoned halved bell peppers on the racks and cook until soft. Once the peppers are cooked, slice and serve for a healthy option. 

A second healthy option is a black bean and corn salsa. Combine corn, black beans, a diced red pepper, and an Italian seasoning dry packet. Stir the mixture and scoop onto the plate beside the shrimp tacos. 

Are You Ready To Cook Grilled Shrimp Tacos

The first step to making high-quality grilled shrimp tacos is locating fresh, never frozen shrimp. Determine whether your guests prefer hard or soft shell tacos or a mix and match combination of the two. Cook the shrimp until the moment they turn pink and opaque, and place atop the shells with your favorite toppings paired with a side. There is no need to visit a restaurant when this can be accomplished in your backyard.