Jerk Shrimp

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Jamaican jerk shrimp is succulent, smoky, and so flavorful. Garlic and a spicy jerk seasoning blend make a flavorful marinate for this tasty protein. Whether you bake in the oven, cook on the stovetop, or on the grill, this jerk shrimp and rice turns out perfect every time!

Suitable for Gluten Free, Low Carb, Keto, Paleo, Whole30, and Vegetarian diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

These jerk shrimps with coconut rice and peas recipe work well for every meal you can imagine. African recipe.

This mouthwatering Jamaican Jerk Shrimp recipe pairs succulent jumbo shrimp with a tantalizing blend of jerk seasoning, garlic, soy sauce, and a hint of optional hot sauce. This dance of flavors on your tongue is a celebration of bold and delicious taste. A little spicy, a little sweet, and a whole lot of smoky, this jerk shrimp and rice recipe is a must-try.

This jerk shrimp recipe takes me back to growing up in Sierra Leone, where I would be lucky enough to go to the beach early in the morning and watch the small fishing boats pull in with their catch. Then get to watch everything divided amongst the community, before being able to approach sellers to buy fresh fish, shrimp, and crabs.

Whether you get your shrimp fresh from the boat or from the freezer at your local grocer doesn’t matter. What makes this jerk shrimp recipe truly special is the boldness of flavor it brings to your table. Like my jerk chicken pasta and jerk shrimp tacos, this recipe is also incredibly easy.

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Cook these delectable shrimp on the stovetop, bake them in the oven, or sizzle them on the grill, the process is straightforward, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. The succulent shrimp make a delicious appetizer or can be added to rice, pasta, tacos, and more.

These jerk shrimps with coconut rice and peas recipe work well for every meal you can imagine. African recipe.

Why Make This Recipe

  • Fast – Marinate for up to an hour or go straight to the grill. These shrimp cook in just 6-8 minutes.  
  • Versatile – Serve as a light appetizer or make it the star of the meal. You can also add the shrimp to rice or rice bowls, cheesy grits, and salad.
  • Pantry Friendly – Keep frozen shrimp stocked in your freezer and find everything else you need in your pantry.  

If you’re looking for even more bold-flavored food, check out my complete library of Southern Recipes.

Ingredient Notes

  • Shrimp – Use jumbo shrimp that have been peeled and deveined but still have the tails on.
  • Jamaican Jerk Seasoning – This flavorful spice blend often contains a mix of cayenne pepper, allspice, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, parsley, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and thyme. Use store-bought or homemade jerk seasoning.
  • Garlic Paste – Make garlic paste by pressing several cloves with a knife until it forms a paste or use store bought garlic paste.
  • Gluten Free Soy Sauce – Such as tamari or liquid aminos. Use regular soy sauce if gluten isn’t a concern.
  • Hot Sauce – If you like extra heat, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
  • Olive Oil – You will need oil for the paste plus additional olive oil as needed for cooking. Use your favorite light, neutral-flavored oil.

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

How To Make Jerk Shrimp and Rice

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Combine the seasonings and oil in a medium bowl to form a paste. 
  2. Add the shrimp and toss until the shrimp are well coated. Allow to marinate in the spicy jerk marinade for up to 1 hour if desired. 
  3. Then cook the shrimp using one of the methods below.

How To Cook Shrimp on the Stovetop:

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 
  2. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 3 minutes. 
  3. Flip and cook for 3 minutes or until pink and opaque. 

How To Bake the Spicy Jerk Shrimp:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F / 204 degrees C. 
  2. Lightly spray a foil-lined baking sheet with cooking oil and lay the shrimp in a single layer. 
  3. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until pink and opaque. 

How to Grill Jamaican Jerk Shrimp:

  • Soak wooden skewers in water or use metal skewers. 
  • Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, so it is just barely touching. 
  • Spray the grill grates or grill pan with oil and heat to medium high. 
  • Add shrimp skewers and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until opaque.

Expert Tips

  • Look for Wild Caught Shrimp. You will get a more robust shrimp flavor, and it is more sustainable.
  • Buy peeled and deveined shrimp. I prefer to have the tails on, but you can remove them before cooking if desired.
  • If using fresh shrimp, peel and devein shrimp before cooking.
  • For this recipe, you want raw shrimp, but it can be frozen shrimp.
  • Be sure to fully defrost frozen shrimp before cooking.
  • Preheat your skillet, oven, or grill before adding the shrimp.
  • Adding a little bit of oil to your cooking surface will prevent the shrimp from sticking.
  • Pat dry with paper towels before seasoning the shrimp.
  • Use a large skillet or cook in batches.
  • When baking, leave space between the shrimp.
  • When grilling the shrimp, the skewers should be just barely touching.
  • Don’t overcook shrimp. Perfectly cooked shrimp curls slightly turn pinkish in color and are opaque.

Delicious Variations

  • Add Toppings – Top the jerk shrimp recipe with fried plantains or baked plantains, fresh avocado or Homemade guacamole, some sweet juicy tropical fruit like mango or pineapple, and pickled chilies and mango salsa work well too.
  • Cilantro Lime – Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and finely chopped cilantro to the marinade.
  • Spicy Shrimp – Jerk seasoning is slightly spicy, but you can add even more heat by mixing in a bit of hot sauce, additional cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes.
  • Add Veggies – Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and saute your favorite veggies, like bell peppers, onion, zucchini, etc., in the leftover seasoning and shrimp juice for lots of flavor.

Prep And Storage

  • Prep Ahead – Marinate the shrimp for up to 1 hour.
  • Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze – Cooked shrimp can be frozen in a freezer bag for about a month.
  • Reheat – Microwave for about 30 seconds or warm in a skillet over low to medium heat.

FAQs

How Do I Defrost Shrimp?

Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge overnight.

To defrost quickly, place the shrimp in a colander in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes. Drain and refresh the water and soak for another 15-20 minutes. Drain and dry with a paper towel before continuing.

Is Shrimp Healthy?

Shrimp is so flavorful and is a great addition to a healthy diet. Shrimp is high in protein, has no carbs, and is diet friendly. Shrimp is a beneficial source of iodine and selenium and can help promote thyroid function and reduce inflammation.

Is this recipe spicy?

The level of spiciness can be adjusted based on your preference. The optional hot sauce adds an extra kick, so feel free to adjust the quantity or omit it if you prefer a milder flavor.

How long should I marinate the shrimp?

Marinating the shrimp for up to one hour can increase it’s flavor. Do not marinate longer or the shrimp can become mushy.

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These jerk shrimps with coconut rice and peas recipe work well for every meal you can imagine. African recipe.

Weight Watchers Points

There is 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.

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These jerk shrimps with coconut rice and peas recipe work well for every meal you can imagine. African recipe.
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5 from 6 votes

Jerk Shrimp

Zesty Jamaican-style shrimp baked in the oven or cooked on the stovetop or grill in minutes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Marinating Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 13 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: jamaican
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 4
Calories: 159kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds (680g) raw jumbo shrimp
  • 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic paste or finely minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce reduced-sodium and gluten free
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce optional
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil plus extra as needed for cooking

Instructions

  • Combine the seasonings and oil in a bowl to form a paste.
  • Add the shrimp and toss until the shrimp are well coated. Allow to marinate for up to 1 hour if desired.
  • Then cook the shrimp using one of the following methods;

To Cook on the Stovetop:

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Flip and cook for 3 minutes or until pink and opaque.

To Bake the Jerk Shrimp:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F / 204 degrees C.
  • Lightly spray a foil-lined baking sheet with cooking oil and lay the shrimp in a single layer.
  • Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until pink and opaque.

How to Grill Jamaican Shrimp:

  • Soak wooden skewers in water or use metal skewers.
  • Thread the shrimp onto the skewers so it is just barely touching.
  • Spray the grill grates or grill pan with oil and heat to medium high.
  • Add the skewers and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until opaque.
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Notes

    • Look for Wild Caught Shrimp. You will get a more robust shrimp flavor, and it is more sustainable.
    • Buy peeled and deveined shrimp. I prefer to have the tails on, but you can remove them before cooking if desired.
    • If using fresh shrimp, peel and devein shrimp before cooking.
    • For this recipe, you want raw shrimp, but it can be frozen shrimp.
    • Be sure to fully defrost frozen shrimp before cooking.
    • Preheat your skillet, oven, or grill before adding the shrimp.
    • Adding a little bit of oil to your cooking surface will prevent the shrimp from sticking.
    • Pat dry with paper towels before seasoning the shrimp.
    • Use a large skillet or cook in batches.
    • When baking, leave space between the shrimp.
    • When grilling the shrimp, the skewers should be just barely touching.
    • Don’t overcook shrimp. Perfectly cooked shrimp curls slightly turn pinkish in color and are opaque.
    • Storage – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 3 days.
    • There is 1 WW Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 214mg | Sodium: 1106mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 901IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1mg

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These jerk shrimps with coconut rice and peas recipe work well for every meal you can imagine. African recipe.

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