Traeger Smoked Shrimp Simple & Delicious

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For all you meat smokers out there, if you haven’t tried smoked shrimp, yet, what are you waiting for? It doesn’t take long from preparing to enjoying, so grab some shrimp, preheat the smoker, and get ready to enjoy that rich, smokey flavor in less than an hour.

Whether you like to eat shrimp alone as an appetizer or use it with other recipes, Smoked Shrimp is a great choice. Using common spices you already have on-hand, as long as you have shrimp, you can toss it in your smoker any time you’re smoking other meats as well. You don’t even have to share, if you don’t want to. Eat these right out of the smoker and enjoy your reward for smoking some other meat for dinner.

Smoked Shrimp Ingredients

Below is an overview, so be sure to check the recipe card at the end for exact measurements.

• Raw Shell-On Shrimp – You don’t need jumbo shrimp, but you could use them. Just be sure to check the internal temp and adjust the cook time, if needed.
• Vegetable Oil – To help the seasoning stick as well as encouraging that smokey flavor you love.

Good Shrimp Seasoning

• Kosher Salt – A staple in cooking, salt is the flavor enhancer. Kosher salt also is a little larger and changes the texture some.
• Cracked Black Pepper – Also larger like the Kosher Salt, Cracked Black Pepper adds an even more robust flavor.
• Garlic Powder – Garlic is always a great flavor enhancer.
• Paprika – A great addition to any smoked meat, paprika will only compliment the smokey flavor.

How to Make Traeger Shrimp

To make Smoked Shrimp, start with preheating the smoker. It doesn’t take long to prep the shrimp, so it’s good to get it going so it’s ready when you are. To prep the shrimp, first peel and rinse them. Use a paper towel to blot off the excess water. Take a large bowl and toss the shrimp with all the other ingredients, making sure the shrimp is well coated.

Once your smoker is preheated, place the prepared shrimp onto the smoker grates and cook until they are done. Be ready, because they are best eaten straight out of the smoker. If you’re using them in a recipe rather than eating them as an appetizer, have everything else ready to go when the shrimp is finished.

How Much Shrimp Do I Need?

This recipe calls for 1-2 pounds. Each pound will probably give you about 13-15 shrimp, depending on the size of shrimp you purchase. Usually, a pound of shrimp can feed around 4 people, depending on how you plan to use the shrimp. Eating the shrimp alone as an appetizer may require more shrimp than including the shrimp in, say, a pasta dish. 

Keep in mind, not only the size of the shrimp will matter, but if the shrimp are raw, you’ll need more pounds and if they are peeled and deveined, you’ll need fewer pounds. It can be a confusing kind of math to do, but you’ll want to make sure you have plenty for everyone. 

Quick Tips for Smoked Shrimp

You may find that the shrimp are too small to place directly on your smoker grates. If this is the case, simply cover your smoker grate with some aluminum foil, taking care to poke small holes into the foil. The holes allow the smoke to flow through and still add the smokey flavor to your shrimp. 

If you’re smoking meat for a different meal and you have some room in your smoker, go ahead and toss these shrimp in with it! Even if you don’t make a ton, no one will ever say no to such a delicious pre-dinner snack. 

WHAT SIDES TO SERVE WITH SMOKED SHRIMP?

Smoked Vegetables – serving fresh vegetables is the perfect addition to Smoked Shrimp

Homemade Hush Puppies – seafood and hush puppies go hand in hand

Grilled Asparagus – a great way to keep the meal light