Big Easy BBQ Shrimp

This New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp recipe offers a vibrant and unforgettable culinary experience, transforming simple shrimp into an extraordinary dish perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner or entertaining esteemed guests, this zesty and flavorful creation is sure to impress. Its signature bold sauce, rich with aromatic spices, demands to be savored with plenty of crusty bread for dipping and soaking up every delicious drop. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Louisiana with this incredibly easy yet sophisticated dish.

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Discovering the Magic of New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

There’s something truly special about New Orleans cuisine – a vibrant fusion of flavors and traditions that tells a story with every bite. Our journey with New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp began during a memorable trip to St. Michael’s, Maryland, where my husband, Tom, and I first encountered this iconic dish at a charming local restaurant. Served as an appetizer with fresh focaccia, it was an immediate revelation. The moment we tasted that piquant, buttery sauce enveloping succulent shrimp, we knew we had to recreate that magic at home. Since then, this dish has become a cherished staple in our kitchen, gracing our dinner table throughout the year, especially on Fridays during the Lenten season.

Unlike traditional barbecue, New Orleans BBQ shrimp isn’t grilled; it’s a luscious, rich preparation where plump shrimp are cooked in a savory, spicy, and tangy butter-based sauce. It’s a testament to the city’s unique culinary landscape, where bold flavors and simple, high-quality ingredients combine to create something truly spectacular.

Why This New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe Will Be Your New Favorite

This isn’t just another shrimp recipe; it’s an experience. Here’s why this New Orleans BBQ Shrimp will quickly become a beloved dish in your repertoire:

Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The star of this dish is undoubtedly the sauce. It’s a harmonious blend of tangy Worcestershire, bright fresh lemon juice, aromatic fresh rosemary, pungent garlic and onion, a hint of your favorite hot sauce, and the distinctive Creole seasoning, Emeril’s Essence, all brought together with a touch of white wine and rich unsalted butter. Every spoonful is a burst of complex, savory flavor that will awaken your taste buds.
Remarkably Easy to Prepare: Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward. With clear, step-by-step instructions, even novice cooks can achieve restaurant-quality results in their own kitchen.
Incredibly Versatile: Serve it as an elegant appetizer, letting guests dip crusty bread into the luxurious sauce, or transform it into a satisfying main course by pairing it with fluffy white rice. It adapts beautifully to any dining scenario.
Perfect for Any Occasion: While easy enough for a weeknight family meal, its impressive flavor and presentation make it special enough for entertaining weekend guests or celebrating special moments.
A Taste of the Big Easy at Home: Bring the vibrant spirit and rich culinary heritage of New Orleans right to your dining table without ever leaving home.

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Flavor

Crafting the perfect New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp starts with selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors of this iconic dish.

Key Ingredients You’ll Need:

Shrimp: Opt for large, fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails left on for presentation. Don’t discard the shells – they are vital for building a deeply flavorful sauce base.
Cracked Black Peppercorns: Freshly cracked peppercorns provide a more pungent, aromatic spice than pre-ground pepper, essential for the signature kick of this dish.
Emeril’s Essence: This classic Creole seasoning blend is a cornerstone of New Orleans cooking. You can find it in most grocery stores or easily make it from scratch for a homemade touch.
Fresh Rosemary: Its earthy, pine-like notes add a wonderful depth to the marinade and sauce.
Olive Oil: Used for searing and building the sauce, choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
White Cooking Wine: A dry white wine adds acidity and complexity to the sauce.
Worcestershire Sauce: Contributes a savory, umami richness that is indispensable.
Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the sauce and cuts through the richness.
Yellow Onion & Garlic: Aromatic foundational ingredients that build the savory base.
Hot Sauce: Your favorite brand will do! Adjust the amount to control the heat level.
Unsalted Butter: The generous amount of butter is crucial for creating the dish’s characteristic rich, emulsified sauce. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness.

Step-By-Step Guide to Perfect New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp

Follow these detailed instructions to create an authentic and mouthwatering New Orleans BBQ Shrimp experience.

Step 1: Marinate the Shrimp for Enhanced Flavor

Begin by placing your peeled and deveined shrimp (tails on) in a medium bowl. Toss them with half of the cracked black peppercorns, one teaspoon of Emeril’s Essence, and the chopped fresh rosemary. Ensure the shrimp are evenly coated with this aromatic mixture. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20-30 minutes, or up to an hour. This marination step infuses the shrimp with incredible flavor before cooking.

Step 2: Build the Flavorful BBQ Base

This is where the magic truly begins! Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a deep 12-inch skillet over high heat. Add the reserved shrimp shells, the remaining half tablespoon of cracked black pepper, and one teaspoon of Emeril’s Essence. Sauté for three minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shells turn pink and fragrant. This step extracts deep flavor from the shells, creating a rich foundation for your sauce.

Next, carefully add the white cooking wine, 3 cups of water, Worcestershire sauce, fresh lemon juice, finely chopped yellow onion, minced garlic, and your chosen hot sauce to the skillet.

Bring this mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow it to bubble slowly for 45 minutes. This simmering process allows all the flavors to meld beautifully and intensify. After simmering, strain the mixture through a coarse strainer, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. You should be left with approximately one cup of a concentrated, aromatic BBQ base.

Step 3: Sear the Shrimp and Combine with Sauce Base

Heat a clean 14-inch skillet over high heat. Add the remaining olive oil. Once shimmering, add your marinated shrimp in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about two minutes, searing each side until they develop a beautiful pink color and are just starting to curl. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp at this stage.

At this point, pour the prepared BBQ base into the skillet with the seared shrimp. Reduce the heat to medium and allow it to simmer for another minute or two, just until the shrimp are fully cooked through and opaque. Overcooking shrimp will make them tough, so watch them closely.

Step 4: Finish with Butter for a Rich, Silky Sauce

Remove the skillet from the heat. This is a critical step for achieving the dish’s signature richness. Whisk in the unsalted butter, one piece at a time, ensuring each piece is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce before adding the next. This emulsifies the butter into the sauce, creating a luxurious, glossy, and thick consistency.

Optional: If you prefer a slightly thicker sauce, you can take a few spoonfuls of the sauce, whisk it into a small bowl with one tablespoon of all-purpose flour until smooth, and then stir this mixture back into the skillet. Continue to whisk gently until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. This roux-like addition will give your sauce a bit more body.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy Your New Orleans Delicacy

Transfer the cooked shrimp and generous amounts of the luscious sauce to a serving platter or individual plates if serving as an appetizer. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired for a touch of color. If you are serving this as a main course, it’s absolutely divine spooned over a bed of fluffy white rice.

What to Serve with New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp

The beauty of this New Orleans BBQ Shrimp lies in its versatility. Here are some perfect accompaniments:

Crusty French Bread or Focaccia: This is a must! The robust, flavor-packed sauce is practically begging to be soaked up by thick slices of crusty bread. It’s an essential part of the experience.
Fluffy White Rice: For a more substantial meal, serving the shrimp and sauce over white rice is a classic and satisfying choice. The rice acts as a perfect canvas for the rich sauce.
Side Salad: A simple, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the shrimp.
Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, green beans, or broccoli, lightly roasted, make a healthy and delicious side.
Cornbread: A Southern staple, cornbread offers a sweet and savory balance that pairs wonderfully with the zesty shrimp.

This flavorful shrimp dish promises to be a hit for your next dinner, offering an easy yet incredibly satisfying meal that everyone will adore. Its bold flavors and simple preparation make it a true winner!

Expert Tips for Success and Variations

Achieving the perfect New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp is easy, especially with these insider tips and considerations:

Homemade Emeril’s Essence: If you enjoy making your own spice blends, you can easily prepare Emeril’s Essence at home. It’s a fantastic way to control the freshness and exact flavor profile. A popular recipe can be found HERE. Making a larger batch to keep in an airtight container ensures you always have this versatile seasoning on hand for other recipes. Typically, it yields about 2/3 cup.
Cracking Peppercorns: Freshly cracked black peppercorns provide superior aroma and spice. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, simply place the peppercorns in a small, sturdy Ziploc bag and gently crush them with the bottom of a heavy skillet or rolling pin.
Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly. Overcooked shrimp become rubbery and tough. Watch them carefully and remove them from the heat as soon as they turn opaque and pink. The simmering in the sauce should be just enough to finish them off without making them tough.
Adjusting Spice Levels: The hot sauce adds a customizable kick. If you prefer a milder dish, use less hot sauce or a very mild variety. For those who love heat, feel free to increase the amount or choose a spicier hot sauce.
Quality of Ingredients: Since the sauce is so rich and flavorful, starting with good quality shrimp and fresh aromatics (onion, garlic, rosemary, lemon) will make a noticeable difference in the final taste.
Making Ahead: The BBQ base can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This can significantly reduce preparation time on the day you plan to serve, making it even easier for entertaining. Reheat the base gently before adding it to the seared shrimp.
Garnish for Freshness: A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions just before serving not only adds a pop of color but also a fresh, herbaceous note that brightens the dish.

More Delicious Shrimp Recipes to Explore

If you love the ease and versatility of shrimp, here are a few other fantastic recipes to add to your culinary repertoire:

Shrimp Creole

Cajun Shrimp Dip

Baked Shrimp with Feta and Olives

New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp Recipe Details

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 4 servings

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs. large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on, shells reserved
1 Tbsp. cracked black peppercorns
3 tsp. Emeril’s Essence
1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup white cooking wine
3 cups water
3/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. garlic, finely minced
1 Tbsp. hot sauce, use your favorite
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces

Instructions

Place your shrimp in a medium bowl and toss with half of the cracked pepper, one teaspoon of the Emeril’s Essence, and the rosemary until evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.
Heat one tablespoon of your olive oil in a deep 12-inch skillet over high heat. Add the shrimp shells, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of cracked black pepper, and one teaspoon Emeril’s Essence. Cook for three minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the wine, 3 cups water, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, onion, garlic, and hot sauce. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and let it gently bubble for 45 minutes. Strain the mixture through a coarse strainer. You will have about one cup of the BBQ base.
Heat a 14-inch skillet over high heat. Add your remaining olive oil, then your marinated shrimp. Cook for two minutes, searing on each side. Pour in the BBQ base, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about another minute or two until the shrimp are cooked through.
Remove the skillet from the heat and whisk in the butter, one piece at a time, ensuring not to add the next piece until the previous piece is totally melted. Optional: For a thicker sauce, take a few spoonfuls of sauce, whisk with one tablespoon of flour in a small bowl until smooth, then add back to the skillet and whisk until desired consistency is reached.
Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter or individual plates if serving as an appetizer and top each with some of the sauce. If serving as a dinner, serve the shrimp and sauce over white rice.

Notes

If you prefer to make your Emeril’s Essence spice homemade, you can find a recipe HERE. This recipe typically yields about 2/3 cup, and homemade blends can be stored in an airtight container in your pantry for various dishes.
For cracking black peppercorns, a mortar and pestle work best. Alternatively, place the peppercorns in a small, sturdy Ziploc bag and gently crush them using the bottom of a heavy skillet or a rolling pin.

Keyword: BBQ, Comfort Food, shrimp

Cuisine: New Orleans

Course: Main Dish, Appetizer

Before your first bite, snap a photo and share! If you make this recipe, I’d love to see! Be sure to follow thebeachhousekitchen on Instagram and tag @thebeachhousekitchen or tag #thebeachhousekitchen!

This recipe is an adaptation of a classic by Emeril Lagasse, bringing authentic New Orleans flavor to your home kitchen.