Ginger-Mint Grilled Shrimp
For snappy, well-browned shrimp from the grill, follow just a few simple steps: Make sure they’re very dry. (You can even let them air-dry in the fridge overnight.) Get your grill very hot, then cook the shrimp for longer on the first side to minimize overcooking. While you can use a heated grill basket, you don’t need to; leaving the tails on means the shrimp won’t slip through the grates. (By the way, eat those tails. They’re a delicious, crispy bite.) Well-grilled shrimp need just a little brightness to balance their char: A squeeze of lemon or lime, or this herby-spicy mixture of ginger, mint and lime zest made in the style of gremolata, will do the trick.
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- 1 ½pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
- Kosher salt
- Olive oil
- 1(1/2-inch) piece ginger, peeled
- 1cup firmly packed mint leaves
- 1small lime
Instructions
Step 1
Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for two-zone cooking over high heat: For a charcoal grill, pour the coals onto one half of the grill. For a gas grill, heat all the burners, then turn off one of the end burners. (See Tips.)Step 2
Meanwhile, pat the shrimp dry, then transfer to a medium bowl and season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and lightly coat with olive oil. Set aside. Coarsely chop the ginger, then add the mint and a pinch of salt. Finely chop the ginger and mint together until homogenous. Transfer to a small bowl, finely grate 1/2 teaspoon lime zest into the bowl, and mix to combine. Cut the lime into wedges for serving.Step 3
When you're ready to grill, take the shrimp, mint-ginger mixture, lime wedges, a tightly folded paper towel soaked in olive oil, a serving platter and tongs to the grill. Clean the grates with a grill brush, then oil the grates with the paper towel. Add the shrimp perpendicular to the grates over the flame and cook until well browned, about 2 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook until opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes. (See Tips.)Step 4
Transfer the shrimp to the platter and toss with the mint-ginger mixture and a squeeze of lime.