July 27, 2023

Zingy Brown Sugar Grilled Shrimp with Fresh Mint Sauce

Name: Zingy Brown Sugar Grilled Shrimp with Fresh Mint Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 94 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup packed golden brown sugar; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; 3 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (divided); 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup olive oil; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more if you like it hot!); 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 2 pounds large uncooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, preferably U8-12 count); 2 cups fresh mint leaves (packed (I used a combo from my herb garden of traditional mint and lime mint))

Zingy Brown Sugar Grilled Shrimp with Fresh Mint Sauce is a dish that’s layered with flavor. It starts with the shrimp, of course. They have some heat from the cayenne and, when grilled, a lovely candied edge forms on the shrimp from the brown sugar in the marinade. Spoon on the fresh mint sauce for some herbaceous freshness. Whether you serve this as a main course (as I did) or an appetizer, this dish is a summertime winner. My husband and daughter concur😋!

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Ingredients

Organize the ingredients – light brown sugar, lemon juice and zest, olive oil, cayenne, kosher salt, U8-12 large raw shrimp and fresh mint.

The Marinade

Combine marinade ingredients in a large bowl...light brown sugar, lemon juice and zest, cayenne, and kosher salt.

Add shrimp and mix to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 mins (but no longer than 60 mins).

Mix marinade ingredients together in a large bowl – brown sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons oil, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, and salt. Add shrimp to the marinade and thoroughly coat. Marinate 30 minutes or up to 1 hour, no longer. Cover and refrigerate.

Making the Fresh Mint Sauce

While shrimp are marinating, make the fresh mint sauce by adding the mint leaves, lemon juice, and olive oil to the blender.

Puree for 30-45 seconds or until sauce is smooth.

While shrimp are marinating, place mint, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, and remaining 1/2 cup oil in a blender. Puree until mint is finely chopped and mixture is smooth. Season with salt.

Making Rice Vermicelli Noodles (Optional)

Drain noodles and set aside. Add a little bit of oil to the noodles to keep them pliable.

Cook Rice Vermicelli Noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles and set aside. Add a little bit of oil to the noodles to keep them pliable.

Grilling the Shrimp

Cook the shrimp on the preheated grill over medium high heat for 2 minutes.

Then flip the shrimp and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until cooked through but not over-cooked.

Heat barbecue to medium-high heat. Oil the grill and then place shrimp on the grill reserving the leftover marinade. Grill shrimp until just cooked through, about 2 minutes on the first side and 1 minute on the other side until cooked through but not over-cooked!

Transfer leftover marinade into a small saucepan and heat on medium heat until the marinade is heated through and simmering.

Zingy Brown Sugar Grilled Shrimp with Fresh Mint Sauce

Sweet and Zingy Grilled Shrimp with Fresh Mint Sauce

If using the noodles, place them on a large serving platter. Then place grilled shrimp on top of the noodles. Spoon fresh mint sauce over the shrimp. Transfer the extra mint sauce and reserved marinade into small serving bowls and nestle them onto the platter. Garnish dish with fresh mint and a lemon wedge.

Print Recipe

Zingy Brown Sugar Grilled Shrimp with Fresh Mint Sauce

Prep Time30

Cook Time4

marinate1

Total Time1 34

Course: Appetizer, dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brown sugar, cayenne, gluten free, grilled shrimp, lemon juice, lemon zest, mint, shrimp

Servings: 4 people

Author: GFchow @ gfchow.com

Ingredients

1/4 cup packed golden brown sugar
2 teaspoons lemon zest
3 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice divided
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper more if you like it hot!
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 pounds large uncooked shrimp peeled, deveined, preferably U8-12 count
2 cups fresh mint leaves packed (I used a combo from my herb garden of traditional mint and lime mint)

Instructions

Mix marinade ingredients together in a large bowl – brown sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons oil, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, and salt.
Add shrimp to the marinade and thoroughly coat. Marinate 30 minutes or up to 1 hour, no longer. Cover and refrigerate.
While shrimp are marinating, place mint, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, and remaining 1/2 cup oil in a blender. Puree until mint is finely chopped and mixture is smooth. Season with salt.
This is the time to also cook the rice vermicelli noodles if you choose to use them. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles and set aside. Add a little bit of oil to the noodles to keep them pliable.
Heat barbecue to medium-high heat. Place shrimp on the grill reserving the leftover marinade. Grill shrimp until just cooked through, about 2 minutes on the first side and 1 minute on the other side.
Place leftover marinade into a small saucepan and heat on medium heat until the marinade is heated through and simmering.
If using the noodles, place them on a large serving platter. Then place grilled shrimp on top of the noodles. Spoon fresh mint sauce over the shrimp. Transfer the extra mint sauce and reserved marinade into small serving bowls and nestle them onto the platter. Garnish dish with a sprig of fresh mint and a lemon wedge.

Notes

Shrimp can be thread onto skewers, if desired.

This dish can easily be served either as an entree or appetizer.

If serving as an appetizer 1) place the mint sauce into a separate dipping bowl and 2) the serving size will feed 10 people.

Recipe from Bon Appétit and slightly modified by me.

If you like this GFchow recipe, you may also like these recipes. Grilled Shrimp with Turmeric Citrus Sauce, Asian-Glazed Shrimp and Calamari with Wilted Basil, and Open-Faced Shrimp Quesadilla.

GLUTEN FREE DISCLAIMER

The recipes you find here are considered by me to be gluten free. However, it is up to you to make sure the ingredients you use are gluten free. Whenever possible, I will list specific brands of ingredients that I use, but always be sure to check the labels yourself to verify the item is gluten free.