Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Shrimp
This tantalizing dish combines succulent shrimp with a burst of flavor from spicy jalapeños, all wrapped in crispy bacon. Originating from Robby's Seafood, a beloved restaurant in Hattiesburg, MS, these grilled delights are perfect for any occasion. Serve them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or as a flavorful main course alongside dirty rice, hot French bread, and a fresh salad. Just don’t forget a cold beer to cool down the heat while you savor every bite of this spicy seafood creation!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
large shrimp (prawns)
16 (peeled, deveined, shell on tail, butterflied)
bacon
8 slices (raw, cut in half)
jalapeño peppers
16 slices (jarred, seeds removed (for milder flavor))
barbecue sauce
1/2 cup (for basting)
toothpicks
16 (soaked in water)
butter
1/8 cup (optional, for basting)
Instructions
1
Begin by peeling, washing, and deveining the shrimp, leaving the shell on just the tail for easy handling. Butterfly the shrimp by making a shallow cut along the back, but do not cut all the way through; this creates space for the jalapeño slices. Place the shrimp in the refrigerator to keep them cold while you prep the bacon.
2
Cut the bacon strips in half and cook them until they reach a medium doneness. You can use a pan, oven, or microwave depending on your preference. The goal is to make the bacon chewy but not fully crispy, as it will finish cooking on the grill.
3
After cooking, let the bacon drain on paper towels to remove excess grease. Take one piece of bacon and insert a slice of jalapeño into the butterflied shrimp. Wrap the bacon around the shrimp, securing it by threading a toothpick through from one side to the other, ensuring the jalapeño is contained within.
4
Preheat your barbecue or gas grill to medium-hot. Place the shrimp on the grill, turning them every 2 to 3 minutes for even cooking. After a few flips, baste the shrimp with barbecue sauce on both sides, allowing it to caramelize for another 4 to 6 minutes, or until both the bacon is crispy and the shrimp are cooked through.
5
For a milder version, feel free to omit the jalapeños or use a smaller piece. Alternatively, for a buttery twist, you can baste some with melted butter instead of barbecue sauce.
6
Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to prevent them from becoming tough. Each serving includes four shrimp, but they are so delicious that you might want to offer more to your guests!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Shrimp?
It is a tantalizing seafood dish that combines succulent shrimp with spicy jalapeño slices, all wrapped in crispy bacon and grilled to perfection.
What is the origin of this shrimp recipe?
This recipe originates from Robby's Seafood, a well-known restaurant located in Hattiesburg, MS.
How should I prepare the shrimp before assembly?
You should peel, wash, and devein the shrimp, making sure to leave the shell on the tail and butterflying them to create space for the jalapeño.
What does it mean to butterfly the shrimp?
Butterflying involves making a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp without cutting all the way through, allowing it to open up like a book.
Should I keep the shrimp cold during preparation?
Yes, it is recommended to place the butterflied shrimp in the refrigerator while you prepare the bacon to keep them cold.
How should the bacon be cooked initially?
The bacon should be cut in half and cooked to a medium doneness so it is chewy but not fully crispy before wrapping.
What methods can I use to pre-cook the bacon?
You can use a frying pan, an oven, or a microwave to cook the bacon to its initial medium doneness.
How do I remove excess grease from the bacon?
After cooking the bacon to a medium doneness, let the slices drain on paper towels to remove any excess grease.
How do I assemble the appetizer?
Take a piece of bacon, insert a jalapeño slice into the butterflied shrimp, and wrap the bacon around it, securing it with a toothpick.
What is the purpose of the toothpick?
The toothpick is threaded through the shrimp to secure the bacon wrap and ensure the jalapeño slice remains contained inside.
Should the toothpicks be prepared in any special way?
Yes, the toothpicks should be soaked in water before use to prevent them from burning on the grill.
What type of jalapeños are recommended?
The recipe suggests using jarred jalapeño slices with seeds removed for a milder flavor.
What grill temperature is best for this recipe?
A medium-hot barbecue or gas grill is ideal for cooking these shrimp.
How often should I turn the shrimp on the grill?
You should turn the shrimp every 2 to 3 minutes to ensure even cooking and to prevent burning.
When should I apply the barbecue sauce?
Baste the shrimp with barbecue sauce on both sides after a few initial flips on the grill.
How long do the shrimp need to grill after basting?
Allow the shrimp to grill for another 4 to 6 minutes after basting until the sauce caramelizes and the bacon is crispy.
Can I substitute the barbecue sauce?
Yes, for a buttery twist, you can baste the shrimp with melted butter instead of barbecue sauce.
How can I make a milder version of this dish?
To reduce the heat, you can omit the jalapeños entirely or use much smaller pieces.
How do I avoid making the shrimp tough?
Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as overcooking causes them to become tough and rubbery.
What are the suggested side dishes for this meal?
This dish pairs perfectly with dirty rice, hot French bread, and a fresh salad.
What beverage is recommended with this spicy seafood?
A cold beer is recommended to help cool down the heat from the jalapeños.
How many shrimp are considered a standard serving?
A typical serving includes four bacon-wrapped shrimp.
How many slices of bacon are needed for 16 shrimp?
You will need 8 slices of bacon, which are then cut in half to create 16 pieces.
Can I use large prawns for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifies using large shrimp or prawns.
How much barbecue sauce is required?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce for basting.
Is this recipe suitable for appetizers?
Yes, it is described as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, though it can also serve as a main course.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 6 total ingredients: shrimp, bacon, jalapeños, barbecue sauce, toothpicks, and optional butter.
Why is the shell left on the tail?
Leaving the shell on the tail makes the shrimp easier to handle during preparation and eating.
What should the final texture of the bacon be?
The final goal is for the bacon to be crispy after its time on the grill.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
The recipe suggests prepping the shrimp and bacon separately and assembling them, which can be done shortly before grilling.