Asian Grilled Shrimp: BBQ or Stove Recipes

Are you ready to savor some delicious Asian grilled shrimp that taste like they’re from a fancy restaurant? With a magical blend of browned butter and sweet soy sauce, these shrimp are super simple to make and packed with flavor! Let’s get cooking and impress everyone at the dinner table!

Ingredients for Asian Grilled Shrimp

Let’s talk about the key ingredients that will make your Asian grilled shrimp absolutely unforgettable! These simple but flavorful elements will give your dish that magical touch. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Shrimp/Prawns: About 1 pound (500 g) of fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined. This is the star of the show!
• Garlic: Two crushed cloves add a delightful aroma. Who doesn’t love the smell of garlic?
• Vegetable Oil: Just 2 tablespoons to help coat the shrimp. It’s the base for all that flavor!
• Salted Butter: A generous 1/3 cup! This is what makes the shrimp so rich and delicious. If you only have unsalted butter, toss in a pinch of salt!
• Sweet Soy Sauce: You’ll want 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of this heavenly sauce, known as kecap manis. A little goes a long way in flavor!
• Lime: One big lime for that zesty kick! Fresh lime juice brightens everything up.

Optional garnishes add even more flair:

• Chili: A red bird’s eye chili, finely sliced for those who like a little kick!
• Cilantro: Fresh leaves to sprinkle on top for color and flavor!

Gather these ingredients, and let’s get cooking! Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

How to Prepare Browned Butter

Now, let’s dive into the magical world of browned butter! This rich, nutty delight will elevate your Asian grilled shrimp to a whole new level. It’s super easy to make, and I promise, once you try it, you’ll want to put it in everything!

Here’s how to create this golden goodness:

1. Melt the Butter: Start by placing 1/3 cup of salted (or unsalted with a pinch of salt) butter in a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat. Keep an eye on it, okay? We don’t want any burnt butter!

1. Get to Know Your Butter: As the butter melts, it will start to foam. This is where the magic happens! Swirl the pan gently to help it cook evenly.

1. Watch for Color: After a few minutes, you’ll notice the butter turning a lovely golden brown and smelling nutty. This is when you want to pay close attention! You might see little brown specks forming at the bottom. Those are the flavor bombs!

1. Remove from Heat: Once it’s golden and aromatic, take it off the heat immediately! Pour it into a jug, leaving behind any bitter bits. We want the good stuff!

Now, you have perfectly browned butter ready to drizzle over your shrimp! Isn’t that easy? Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Cooking Shrimp: BBQ vs. Stove

Now, it’s time for the fun part—cooking the shrimp! Whether you fire up the BBQ or use the stove, both methods can make your shrimp shine. Let’s break it down!

BBQ Method:

1. Preheat the Grill: Get that BBQ nice and hot! Aim for a high heat. Trust me, it makes a difference!
2. Prep the Shrimp: Toss those marinated shrimp directly onto the grill. Arrange them in a single layer for even cooking.
3. Cook to Perfection: Grill for about 2-3 minutes per side. Keep an eye on them! Perfectly cooked shrimp should curl into a “C” shape. If they form an “O,” you’ve got overcooked shrimp!

Stove Method:

1. Heat Your Pan: Grab a sturdy frying pan and heat it over high heat—no oil needed at this stage!
2. Add Shrimp: Toss in your shrimp and let them sizzle! Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side just like on the BBQ.
3. Check for Doneness: Look for that lovely golden color. The magic happens quickly, so don’t wander off!

I personally love both methods! The grill adds a smoky flavor, while the stove offers convenience. Either way, you’ll end up with succulent shrimp that are sure to impress! Get ready to dig in!

Creating the Perfect Sweet Soy Sauce

Let’s talk about that sweet soy sauce that takes your grilled shrimp from tasty to downright spectacular! Known as kecap manis, this sauce adds a rich, sweet flavor that perfectly complements the butter and shrimp. Making it at home is simple and super fun!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce: Use regular soy sauce, not light, for that deep flavor!
• 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon brown sugar: This creates that sweet syrupy goodness.

Instructions:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, mix the soy sauce and brown sugar together.
2. Heat It Up: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring it to a gentle boil.
3. Simmer: Let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes. Watch it closely! You want it to thicken to a light syrup consistency.
4. Cool and Store: Once it’s thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool. It will thicken even more as it cools!

This homemade kecap manis can be drizzled over your shrimp for that sweet, sticky finish. You can even save any leftovers to use in other dishes—like Indonesian Chicken Satay or even as a marinade!

So, are you ready to elevate your shrimp dish? Just imagine those flavors dancing on your taste buds! Yum!

Serving Suggestions and Garnishes

Now that you have your delicious Asian grilled shrimp ready, let’s chat about how to serve them up! Presentation can make all the difference, right? Here are some ideas to jazz up your dish and impress your family or friends!

Simple Serving Ideas:

• On a Platter: Arrange the shrimp neatly on a large platter. Drizzle some of that browned butter and sweet soy sauce over the top for that wow-factor!
• With Rice: Serve the shrimp over a bed of fluffy rice, like jasmine or coconut rice. The rice will soak up those tasty flavors!
• Tacos: Feeling adventurous? Place the shrimp in soft tortillas with avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Instant taco night!

Garnishes:

• Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped cilantro or green onions on top. It adds a pop of color and flavor!
• Chili Slices: For some heat, toss on a few slices of red chili. They not only look great but give your dish a nice kick!
• Lime Wedges: Serve with lime wedges on the side. A little extra lime juice can brighten everything up!

These serving suggestions make your shrimp look fancy while being super easy to prepare! Trust me, everyone will be asking for seconds. Let’s dig in!