Description
Enjoy this flavorful Cowboy Butter Smoked Shrimp recipe that combines smoky, spicy, and herbaceous flavors, perfect for a quick appetizer or main dish. The shrimp are marinated in a savory cowboy butter, smoked until tender and slightly charred, then served hot with extra butter for dipping, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Seafood & Marinade
- 1 1/2 lbs large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp ghee melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives chopped
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Smoker: Preheat your smoker to 225-250°F using hickory or oak wood to impart a smoky flavor to the shrimp.
- Make Cowboy Butter: In a bowl, whisk together melted ghee, minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, chopped parsley, chives, Worcestershire sauce (if using), salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Marinate Shrimp: Toss the shrimp in half of the cowboy butter, ensuring they are well coated. Allow to marinate for 15-30 minutes to absorb flavors but avoid over-marinating to prevent texture issues.
- Smoke the Shrimp: Arrange the marinated shrimp on a smoker rack or tray and smoke for 30-40 minutes, or until shrimp turn pink, are firm, and have a slight char.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the shrimp from the smoker immediately drizzle them with the remaining warm cowboy butter for added flavor. Serve hot with extra cowboy butter on the side for dipping, garnished with additional fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Do not over-marinate shrimp to prevent textural deterioration caused by acid.
- Use ghee instead of regular butter for better smoking performance and flavor.
- Keep the remaining cowboy butter warm for easy dipping during serving.
- This recipe pairs well with crusty bread or rice for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz (113 g)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
