Grilled Shrimp with Mojo Criollo

  • 2 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, and butterflied
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 2 limes, cut into small wedges

Season and grill the shrimp

  1. Place the shrimp in a large mixing bowl and drizzle the vegetable oil over them. Liberally season with salt and pepper and toss well. It's best to use your hands for this, as you want to make sure the oil and seasonings get inside the slits you made in the shrimp.
  2. Heat your grill to high (550°F) and close the lid. Wait at least 15 minutes before lowering the heat to medium-high (450°F) and continuing. Oil the grill grates with a vegetable oil-soaked paper towel held with a long pair of tongs.
  3. It is important to properly place the shrimp on the grill so that they cook quickly and evenly. Again, it is best to use your hands for this. Holding the shrimp by its tail, place the butterflied shrimp on the grill one by one, slit side down. Curl the tail down toward the head of the shrimp. Close the lid and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the flesh of the shrimp has just turned white and is no longer translucent. You will not need to turn the shrimp over.
  4. Add grilled shrimp to  mojo criollo
  5. Skewer on toothpicks for a tapa or chop up and use as an ingredient for a taco night.

Russ:

We learned this from our dear friend Beth Henninger. We honestly rarely serve shrimp any other way since learning this recipe. Critical to pick shrimp off the grill and dunk it into the mojo as soon as it is cooked to the point of not being raw.

Chef's notes