Fire up the grill and toss your shrimp in everything from spicy harissa to savory-tangy miso butter.
By
Kristin Donnelly is a writer with nearly two decades of experience crafting stories and recipes for editorial publications, books, and brands. She was a food editor at Food & Wine for eight years. Kristin is the author of two cookbooks and co-host of the Everything Cookbook podcast.
Updated on July 8, 2022
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/201306-xl-grilled-shrimp-with-miso-butter-2000-df68ce682a2c44209913d39ec5861a43.jpg "8 Great Sauces to Serve with Grilled Shrimp (1)")
Since grilled shrimp cooks in mere minutes, spend a little time making a spectacular sauce to toss with them or serve alongside.
Green goddess dressing
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/grilled-shrimp-and-lettuces-with-charred-green-goddess-dressing-FT-RECIPE0820-40a751cbaad04daaadcc7ccc51920c5b.jpg "8 Great Sauces to Serve with Grilled Shrimp (2)")
Throw parsley and scallions onto the grill to get a quick char before blending them into a smoky upgrade to a retro dressing that's great for your salad and shrimp.
Miso butter
Mix butter with miso, lemon zest and juice, and scallions for a savory-tangy sauce you can toss with shrimp post grilling.
Oregano and lemon
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/201107-xl-grilled-shrimp-with-oregano-and-lemon-92bb6cbf0ac74ef19a8785c3de83daa7.jpg "8 Great Sauces to Serve with Grilled Shrimp (4)")
For Mediterranean-style shrimp, chop together capers, oregano, and garlic, then blend in olive oil and lemon juice to serve at the table.
Pesto
Forget that rule about mixing cheese with seafood. Make a lemony pesto, enriched with Parmigiano-Reggiano, to serve with grilled shrimp.
Harissa
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/201406-xl-peel-and-eat-grilled-shrimp-with-harissa-cdf3aac77f0647f98ccb755dd78360d2.jpg "8 Great Sauces to Serve with Grilled Shrimp (5)")
Toss shell-on shrimp with the North African-style chile paste known as harissa soon after it's grilled and serve with lime wedges; let people peel and eat at the table.
Aioli
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/201504-xl-shrimp-cakes-9c07aed97d0046aeb85b1b206b0f790a.jpg "8 Great Sauces to Serve with Grilled Shrimp (6)")
Doctor aioli (or a cheater version with store-bought mayo) with citrus zest and serve with shrimp (or shrimp cakes) for dipping.
Romesco
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/grilled-shrimp-with-cocoa-nib-romesco-sauce-r-xl-200008-48c4e35924ff4a3fb0bc4aee2495c323.jpg "8 Great Sauces to Serve with Grilled Shrimp (7)")
Spain's sauce of roasted peppers, almonds, and garlic is a natural with grilled shrimp. Serve a basic version or add cocoa nibs.
Chile and sweetened condensed milk
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Grilled-Shrimp-With-Green-Chile-Condensed-Milk-Sauce-FT-RECIPE0122-ce3ff6ade057434fba42957b1ab6c862.jpg "8 Great Sauces to Serve with Grilled Shrimp (8)")
Try mixing Thai green chiles with sweetened condensed milk for a beguiling balance of fiery heat and creamy sweetness that serves as a perfect dipping sauce for your grilled shrimp.
Kristin Donnelly is a former Food & Wine editor and author of The Modern Potluck (Clarkson Potter, 2016). She is also the co-founder of Stewart & Claire, an all-natural line of lip balms made in Brooklyn.
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!
