Grilled Jerk Shrimp Recipe

Smoky, spicy, sweet heat shrimp that sizzle like a summer slow jam—fast, bold, and impossible to ignore.

This grilled shrimp recipe brings Caribbean fire straight to the grill, starring jerk shrimp kissed with smoke, chile heat, and warm island spices.

It’s rooted in Jamaican flavor tradition, powered by jerk seasoning, and built for speed juicy grilled jerk shrimp on the table in under 20 minutes. When dinner needs to feel like a cookout anthem instead of a weeknight chore, this is the move.

This version of jerk shrimp is pure fire!!! Juicy and plump jumbo shrimp is seasoned with dry jerk seasoning and quickly grilled for a great BBQ appetizer.

The shrimp is grilled directly over the coals for a quick cook so that you can serve your guests in a matter of minutes.

For other Caribbean based shrimp recipes you might like, try these coconut shrimp or Puerto Rican mofongo or for a Louisiana classic try this shrimp creole.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with jerk shrimp)

I'm not saying shrimp is an aphrodisiac, but this grilled jerk shrimp will put you in some type of mood; a good mood that is. Try them as an appetizer to open you up to the remainder of the your menu items.

Wet Jerk Marinade vs. Dry Jerk Seasoning

Wet spicy jerk marinade and dry jerk seasoning are two different approaches to infusing dishes with the bold flavors of jerk seasoning. Wet jerk marinade involves creating a liquid mixture by blending or combining ingredients such as scotch bonnet peppers, soy sauce, spices, herbs, citrus lime juice, vinegar, and oil. This marinade is used to coat the meat, allowing it to soak and absorb the flavors before cooking.

On the other hand, dry jerk seasoning refers to a powdered or dry spice blend made by grinding together various herbs, spices, and seasonings like allspice, thyme, garlic, ginger, and more. The dry seasoning is typically rubbed directly onto the meat, forming a flavorful crust during the cooking process.

For this grilled shrimp recipe I went with the dry jerk seasoning mix. I wanted this to be easy and quick, so preferred not to go through this process of making and blending up a marinade.

If you dig this one, try this smoked jerk chicken recipe.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

• Big flavor, small effort – Grilled shrimp cook fast but hit hard on taste.
• True jerk energy – Scotch bonnet heat, allspice warmth, and smoky char.
• Versatile – Serve as a main, taco filler, salad topper, or party platter.
• Summer-ready – Minimal prep, maximum grill swagger.

Key Ingredients (and Why They Matter)

• Jumbo Shrimp – Plump, meaty shrimp stand up to high heat and soak up jerk seasoning without drying out.
• Jerk Seasoning – The soul of jerk shrimp: allspice, thyme, garlic, chile, and warm spices that bring sweet heat and cultural depth.

How to Make Grilled Jerk Shrimp

• Pat shrimp dry and toss with oil and jerk seasoning.
• Let marinate briefly (10–20 minutes for max flavor without curing)

• Preheat grill to medium-high and oil the grates.
• Grill shrimp 2–3 minutes per side until charred and just cooked through.

• Finish with a squeeze of citrus and rest briefly before serving.

Serve with your favorite green sauce.

Grilled Shrimp Cooking Considerations

When making grilled jerk shrimp, here are some cooking considerations and tips to keep in mind:

Choose the largest shrimp available. Smaller shrimp will cook too fast and thus be too easy to overcook.

Remove the shell, but leave the tail in tact for easier handling. 

Skewer the shrimp to make grilling simple and to prevent the shrimp from falling through the grates. Otherwise, use a seafood grill pan.

Make your own dry jerk seasoning mix using my recipe or use your favorite store-bought mix.

Butterfly the shrimp for better results. Butterflying creates more surface area for the seasoning and grilling purposes which means more intense flavor for you.

Serve with a green sauce.

What To Serve With This Grilled Jerk Shrimp Recipe

Pair with sides like coconut ginger rice, rice and peas, or curry collard greens. I like to start these with a cup of callaloo soup and finish with fried plantains.

make this Jamaican Jerk Shrimp recipe

This tantalizing jerk shrimp recipe is a flavorful Caribbean delight. The well balanced blend of aromatic spices, fiery heat, and succulent shrimp creates culinary goodness that will leave you licking your fingers!

Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue or looking to add some zest to your weeknight dinner, these jerk shrimp are sure to impress with their bold flavors and irresistible appeal. So fire up the grill, get ready to savor the explosion of flavors, and embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the vibrant and dynamic spirit of Caribbean cuisine.

If you make this grilled jerk shrimp recipe or any other recipe please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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