Smoked Shrimp Lemon Herb

Name: Smoked Shrimp Lemon Herb
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb Large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on); 4 tbsp Unsalted butter; 2 tbsp Fresh lemon juice; 1 tsp Lemon zest; 2 clove Garlic, minced; 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, finely chopped; 1 tsp Fresh thyme leaves; 1 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tsp Kosher salt; 0.5 tsp Smoked paprika

Quick, bright and buttery smoked shrimp finished with a lemon-herb butter for a fresh, restaurant-style bite. Made on a pellet smoker for reliable smoke and an easy hands-off cook, this recipe is perfect for weeknight seafood or as a shareable appetizer.

0.0(0 reviews)

Prep: 15m · Cook: 10m · Total25 mins

DifficultyEasy

Serves4

AuthorJake

Ingredient Spotlight

Smoked paprika

A finely ground spice made from red peppers that have been smoked (traditionally over oak) and dried—commonly known by its Spanish name pimentón. It originates from Spain (La Vera region) and imparts a distinctive smoky, sweet-to-mildly-hot flavor and a deep red color. Find it in the spice aisle, international/Spanish markets, or online; substitute with regular paprika plus a pinch of smoked salt or a little chipotle powder (or a drop of liquid smoke) to mimic the smoky character.

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Jake's note

"This recipe shines as a light main or party appetizer — the lemon-herb butter brings a bright finish that pairs beautifully with the smokiness from a pellet smoker. Home cooks will love how fast it comes together and how impressive the result tastes."

Smoked Shrimp Lemon Herb

Bright, buttery and impossibly quick, these smoked shrimp are built to deliver big flavor in minimal time. A low-and-slow touch of fruitwood at 225°F lets the shrimp pick up a delicate smoke note without drying out, while a finishing lemon-herb butter adds the acidity and herbaceousness that make each bite feel lifted and restaurant-ready. Keeping the tails on gives you both a pretty presentation and an easy handle for finger-food service; a light dusting of smoked paprika before the smoker deepens color and layers a whisper of heat without overpowering the seafood.

This version works because it separates two moments of flavor: the subtle background smoke from the pellet smoker and the immediate bright punch from the warm lemon-herb butter. That last-minute baste sets a glossy finish and softens any hint of smoke, making the shrimp versatile enough for weeknight plates or party platters. It’s an excellent recipe for cooks who want something impressive without fuss — scale it up for a crowd, thread onto skewers to speed service, or serve a modest portion as an elegant first course.

Plan your timing

Enter your target meal time:

6:31 pm–6:35 pm→Make the lemon-herb butter

6:35 pm–6:39 pm→Season the shrimp

6:39 pm–6:43 pm→Preheat pellet smoker

6:43 pm–6:47 pm→Smoke the shrimp

6:47 pm–6:51 pm→Baste and finish

6:51 pm–6:55 pm→Rest and serve

Ingredients

Yield

Instructions

Make the lemon-herb butter

In a small saucepan or heatproof bowl, gently melt the unsalted butter over low heat or in short bursts in the microwave. Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped parsley, thyme leaves and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt until combined; keep warm or transfer to a covered container so it is ready for basting and serving.

For this step

4 tbspUnsalted butter
2 tbspFresh lemon juice
1 tspLemon zest
2 cloveGarlic, minced
2 tbspFresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tspFresh thyme leaves
1 tspKosher salt

Season the shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss the shrimp with the olive oil, smoked paprika and the remaining pinch of kosher salt so they are evenly coated; this helps smoke adhere and promotes even color.

For this step

1 lbLarge raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on)
1 tbspExtra-virgin olive oil
0.5 tspSmoked paprika

Preheat pellet smoker

Preheat your pellet smoker to 225°F (about 107°C) using a mild fruit or hardwood (apple, cherry, or alder work well). Make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

Smoke the shrimp

Arrange shrimp in a single layer directly on the smoker grate or on skewers for easy flipping. Smoke until the shrimp are opaque, curled and firm, about 6–8 minutes depending on size; watch closely as shrimp cook quickly.

Baste and finish

Brush the shrimp liberally with the warm lemon-herb butter and return to the smoker for 1–2 minutes to set the glaze and boost flavor. Remove when butter is glossy and shrimp are fully opaque.

Rest and serve

Transfer shrimp to a platter, spoon any remaining butter over the top and let rest for a minute. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and an extra sprinkle of chopped parsley; leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days.

Tips from the kitchen

Dry thoroughly first

Pat shrimp completely dry before tossing with oil so they brown and the smoke adheres evenly rather than steaming.

Warm the butter

Keep the lemon-herb butter warm so it spreads easily and glosses the shrimp when you baste; cold butter will clump and won’t set on the surface.

Watch the cook time

Shrimp go from undercooked to rubbery very quickly — start checking at 5 minutes and rely on opacity and a firm curl rather than the clock alone.

Use tails as handles

Leave tails on for easier serving and a nicer presentation; guests can pick them up, and the tails help prevent overcooking the meat at the narrow end.

Choose mild fruitwood

Apple, cherry or alder are ideal because they add sweetness without competing with the lemon and herbs in the butter.

Variations & substitutions

Spicy Citrus Kick

Add 1/4–1/2 teaspoon cayenne to the smoked paprika and finish the butter with a teaspoon of orange zest for a bright, spicy twist.

Dairy-Free Version

Swap melted butter for equal parts extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil and stir in the lemon, garlic and herbs for a dairy-free finish.

Mediterranean Herb Swap

Replace parsley and thyme with a mix of chopped oregano and basil, and finish with a splash of white wine vinegar for a Mediterranean profile.

Garlic-Heavy Knockout

Increase the garlic to 3 cloves and add a teaspoon of anchovy paste to the butter for a deeper umami hit that pairs well with crusty bread.

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover smoked shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours; the texture softens after that and the smoke flavor will mellow. Make the lemon-herb butter ahead and refrigerate; gently rewarm before serving. To reheat, warm briefly in a hot skillet with a splash of olive oil or return to the pellet smoker at 225°F for 3–4 minutes — avoid long reheats to prevent toughness.

What to serve with it

Serve these shrimp over a pile of herbed rice, creamy polenta, or a crisp romaine and fennel salad to balance the richness of the butter. For casual entertaining, arrange them on a platter with lemon wedges, extra chopped parsley and crusty bread to mop up the buttery pan juices; a zesty Sauvignon Blanc, dry rosé or a citrusy IPA will cut through the richness.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes — thaw overnight in the refrigerator and pat completely dry before seasoning, as excess ice will prevent smoke adhesion and can steam the shrimp.

How do I know when shrimp are done?

They should be opaque all the way through, firm to the touch and curled into a loose C shape; a tight O indicates overcooking.

Can I smoke at a higher temperature?

You can raise the smoker to 275–300°F for a faster cook, but monitor closely — higher temps increase the risk of overcooking and will reduce the time for smoke to penetrate.

Is a pellet smoker required?

No — you can use a gas or charcoal grill with a smoker box or wood chips; a pellet smoker is simply convenient for steady low heat and consistent smoke.

How long can I make the butter ahead?

The lemon-herb butter can be made 2–3 days ahead and refrigerated; rewarm gently before basting so it emulsifies evenly over the shrimp.

About the author

Jake

Hello, I'm Jake. I started this recipe site with the idea that I hated recipe websites that overwhelm you with long stories and ads just to see plain content that's not helpful. My goal is to provide you with quality recipes, simple ideas and a fun cooking experience. There's lots of fun things to cook, and I think as you browse the site you'll find that TopShelf.Recipes is the place for quality recipes on the web.

See all recipes by Jake →

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Ingredients

4 servings

Step 1: Make the lemon-herb butter

Unsalted butter4 tbsp
Fresh lemon juice2 tbsp
Lemon zest1 tsp
Garlic, minced2 clove
Fresh parsley, finely chopped2 tbsp
Fresh thyme leaves1 tsp
Kosher salt1 tsp

Step 2: Season the shrimp

Large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on)1 lb
Extra-virgin olive oil1 tbsp
🛒 BuySmoked paprika0.5 tsp

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Nutrition Facts

Per serving: 4 oz shrimp

Calories261

Total Fat18.4g

Saturated Fat9.2g

Trans Fat0g

Polyunsaturated Fat2.6g

Monounsaturated Fat1.1g

Total Carbohydrates1.3g

Dietary Fiber0.3g

Total Sugars0.2g

Protein23g

Nutrition values are estimated from USDA ingredient data and may vary based on preparation, brands, and portion sizes. Values are provided for informational purposes only.

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