How to Cook Shrimp on a Pellet Smoker? Life-Changing Tips

By Avi Green October 05, 2023

Are you ready to master the art of cooking shrimp on a pellet smoker? If you own a pellet smoker and are looking for ways to elevate your shrimp dishes, youre in for a treat! In this article, we will delve into the remarkable techniques and big tips to ensure your shrimp not only tastes great but also has that perfect smoky flavor.

The flavor that a shrimp gets from a pellet smoker is tremendous, making your dish remarkable and unmissable. Let's dive into the world of smoking shrimp and how you can achieve that delightful taste with the right method!

Understanding Your Pellet Smoker

Before we get into the actual cooking process, it's important to understand your pellet smoker. For those who are new to pellet smokers, they utilize wood pellets as a fuel source and can achieve various temperatures, making them suitable for different types of cooking. If you want to learn more about pellet smokers, check out this beginner's guide.

Choosing the Right Shrimp

Choosing the right shrimp is crucial for a successful cook. Ideally, you want to select fresh, high-quality shrimp. Here are some tips for selecting the best shrimp:

Size Matters - Large shrimp work best for grilling.
Freshness - Look for shrimp that have a clean, ocean-like smell. Avoid any that smell fishy.
Shell Option - You can either cook them with shells on for more flavor or peel them for easier eating.

Preparation: Marinating Your Shrimp

Once you have your shrimp, you need to prepare them. Marinating can significantly enhance the flavor, ensuring that your shrimp is flavorful when smoked. Heres a simple marinade recipe:

Simple Marinade Recipe

1/4 cup of olive oil
3 cloves of minced garlic
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix these ingredients and let the shrimp marinate for 30 minutes. This will infuse your shrimp with a delicious flavor.

Getting Your Pellet Smoker Ready

To cook shrimp perfectly, you need to prepare your pellet smoker. Here are some important steps:

Preheat Your Smoker - Set your smoker to 180F - 225F.
Check Your Pellets - Use quality wood pellets like hickory or apple for great flavor.
Use a Smoke Tube - If you want to intensify the smoked flavor, consider using a smoke tube with extra pellets.

For more details on getting your smoker ready, visit this guide.

Cooking Shrimp on the Pellet Smoker

When your smoker is ready, its time to cook the shrimp! Here are the steps to ensure theyre cooked perfectly:

Rinse and Dry: Rinse the marinated shrimp and dry them with a paper towel.
Skewer or Directly on Grill: Skewer the shrimp to make flipping easier. You can also place them directly on the grill grates.
Place Shrimp on Smoker: Place the shrimp on the smoker. Cook for about 30 minutes. This gives them time to absorb the smoky flavor.
Check for Doneness: Shrimp are cooked perfectly when they turn opaque and form a C shape. Typically, it takes about 6-8 minutes at this temperature. Remove them once they reach an internal temperature of 120F.

Serving Your Smoked Shrimp

Once cooked, let your shrimp rest for a few minutes before serving. This not only gives you great flavors but also enhances the texture. Here are some serving suggestions: