Category: Seafood

Pizza Shrimp Skewers: The Backyard App You Didn’t Know You Needed

6/3/2025

Ever looked at a slice of pizza and thought, “This needs more shrimp and fire?”
Yeah. Us too.

Introducing Pizza Shrimp Skewers—a flavor fusion so bold it skips the crust and goes straight to the grill. Perfect as an appetizer, game-day snack, or a meal when you’re done pretending you weren’t going to eat all of them.

They’re easy. They’re saucy. And they’re loaded with Awesome Shrimp—literally.

🦐 Ingredients:

Awesome Shrimp – peeled, cleaned, and ready to rock
String Cheese – cut into chunks (a Midwest delicacy, don't @ us)
Pepperoni – sliced or halved
Green Olives – pitted, preferably salty little monsters
Balsamic Vinaigrette – for zing
Spicy BBQ Sauce – for heat (use Mad Dog & Merrill® Spicy BBQ Sauce, of course)

🔥 Grilling Instructions:

Grill Shrimp First:
Toss the shrimp on a HOT grill and sear for 2 minutes per side—get those gorgeous grill marks and a bit of char.
(We recommend using a Pit Boss Grill—because of course we do.)
Build the Skewers:
Once shrimp are grilled, thread onto skewers with chunks of string cheese, slices of pepperoni, and green olives. Alternate however your heart desires—we’re not here to limit your skewer creativity.

3. Baste & Blaze:
Brush generously with balsamic vinaigrette and Spicy BBQ Sauce.
Set them back on the grill for just a minute to warm the cheese and crisp the edges.
Serve hot and don’t blink—these disappear fast.

Sponsor Highlights:

🦐 Awesome Shrimp – the name says it all
🔥 Pit Boss Grills – fire up the flavor
🧂 Wisconsin State Agricultural Tourism Association – bringing the best to your backyard
🧀 Rebex Cutlery – slicing cheese, not fingers
🍖 Mad Dog & Merrill® Spicy BBQ Sauce – the bold bite on every skewer

Final Thoughts:
These skewers are smoky, cheesy, salty, spicy, and sweet all in one bite. Basically, they’re the grilled version of "Why choose?"
Make a tray for the crew—or make a tray for yourself. Either way, this one’s going in the Great Grilled Party Food Hall of Fame

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Shrimp Hors d’Oeuvres: Fancy Enough for a Party, Saucy Enough for Mad Dog & Merrill®

5/7/2025

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You ever bite into something that makes you feel classy and chaotic at the same time? Like you could host a garden party and wrestle a raccoon for the last shrimp? That’s the energy these Shrimp Hors oeuvre's bring to the table.

We’re stacking up layers of horseradish cheese, crisp cucumbers, grilled Awesome Shrimp, and our notorious Horsey Shrimp Dip—all balanced on a Breton cracker like a tiny flavor throne. Then, we crown the whole thing with either jalapeños (for spice lovers) or scallions (for people who enjoy pretending they’re not sweating).

Perfect for backyard parties, holiday spreads, or just standing in your kitchen at 10 p.m. whispering “I deserve this.”

The Fancy (But Easy) Ingredient Lineup:

Breton crackers – sturdy, classy, and somehow always in the pantry.
Horseradish cheese – because cheddar just didn’t bring the heat today.
Grilled Awesome Shrimp – the star of the show. Nothing else will do.
Cucumber slices – for crunch, coolness, and the illusion of health.
Horsey Shrimp Dip – creamy, spicy, and probably legally addictive.
Chopped jalapeños – for those who laugh in the face of mild salsa.
Chopped scallions – for flair, freshness, and a touch of “Look, I used a garnish.”

Assembly Instructions (a.k.a. Tiny Shrimp Shrines):

Lay out the Breton crackers like you’re setting up a runway.
Add a small slice of horseradish cheese to each one—don’t skimp.
Place a cucumber slice on top of the cheese for that crisp foundation.
Add a grilled Awesome Shrimp to each tower of deliciousness.
Dollop a spoonful of Horsey Shrimp Dip like you’re an hors d’oeuvre architect.
Top with either jalapeños or scallions, depending on your crowd’s spice tolerance and willingness to cry at a party.

A Few Pro Tips (Because You're About to Be That Host)

Want to cool the heat? A crisp citrus soda does wonders to balance the spice and makes a refreshing sip between bites.
Knife skills matter. For picture-perfect cucumbers and scallions, use something sharp and reliable—you know, the kind of knife you’d trust at your next backyard BBQ.
Need more shrimp? Of course you do. The good ones go fast—stock up on the flavorful kind that never disappoints.
Serving a crowd? Prep extra dip on the side. Some people will start dipping everything in it—crackers, chips, their own finger. No judgment.

The Final Word:
These aren’t your average hoity-toity party snacks. They’re built different. They’re bold, flavorful, and packed with shrimp so Awesome it probably demands its own dressing room.
Serve these up at your next gathering, and watch your guests abandon their small talk in favor of stuffing their faces and asking, “What’s in this dip?”

Just wink and say, “That’s a Mad Dog & Merrill® secret.”

#MadDogAndMerrill #MidwestGrilln #ShrimpGoals #AwesomeShrimp #HorseyDipHype #PitBossGrilled #RebexCutleryApproved #SunDropSip

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Horsey Shrimp Dip: A Dip So Bold, It Bites Back (In a Good Way)

5/7/2025

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Let’s set the scene:
You’ve got shrimp. Not just any shrimp--Awesome Shrimp, the kind that makes other seafood question its life choices.

You’ve got friends, a grill that's hotter than your uncle’s dance moves at a wedding, and one missing puzzle piece: a dip that punches above its weight class.

Enter: Horsey Shrimp Dip—the zesty, tangy, spicy, snack-stealing star that’ll have people asking if it’s socially acceptable to eat dip with a spoon. (It is. We checked.)

This dip is powered by Da Works Sauce, one of our very own Mad Dog & Merrill® Midwest Grill’n creations. It’s smoky, sweet, saucy perfection—and the ideal base for a dip that isn’t afraid to bring the heat.

Ingredients That Make This Dip a Flavor Knockout:

1 cup Mad Dog & Merrill® Da Works Brat Sauce – Our signature sauce, bursting with brat-inspired brilliance. It’s bold, smoky, and 100% ours.
1 tbsp horseradish – The zingy firecracker of the fridge door.
1 tbsp garlic – Because there is no such thing as “too much garlic.”
½ lemon, freshly squeezed – Bringing citrus energy to the party.
2 tsp Tabasco – Or more, if you're the spicy one in your friend group.
Serve with Awesome Shrimp – Because any other shrimp would be… a mistake.

Directions: AKA “Dip Assembly for Champions”

Mix everything in a bowl with the kind of confidence only horseradish can inspire.
Stir until smooth and saucy, with flecks of fire and flavor peeking through.
Refrigerate for 10–15 minutes if you can resist immediately dipping your finger in.
Serve with grilled Teriyaki Red Shrimp—made with Awesome Shrimp, of course. (No other shrimp accepted. It’s in the rules.)

Ways to Enjoy:

With Awesome Shrimp: Obviously. It’s the intended pairing. The universe demands it.
As a spicy sandwich spread: Shrimp po’ boys just called and said thank you.
On grilled veggies or even burgers: No judgment. We support bold life choices.

The Final Word (Because This Dip Deserves a Mic Drop)
This isn’t just a dip—it’s a vibe. It’s what happens when your very own Da Works Sauce meets horseradish and garlic in a flavor explosion so good, shrimp line up for the honor of being dipped. Paired with Awesome Shrimp, it’s the kind of appetizer that becomes the main event. So whip it up, grill up that shrimp, and get ready for your taste buds to do a little happy dance.
#MadDogAndMerrill #MidwestGrilln #HorseyShrimpDip #AwesomeShrimp #DaWorksSauce #DipGoals

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Teriyaki Red Shrimp: A Flavor Bomb That’ll Make You the Shell of the Party

5/6/2025

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Ah, shrimp. Nature’s perfect little protein-packed sea curl. And when you throw in some teriyaki, a punch of citrus, a kick of garlic pepper, and the grilling expertise of your favorite Midwest madmen, you’ve got a dish so good it’ll make you say “Holy shrimp, that’s delicious!”

On an episode of Mad Dog & Merrill® Midwest Grill’n, the fellas cooked up a crustacean sensation we just had to share with the world: Teriyaki Red Shrimp. This isn’t your average shrimp cocktail, folks. This is shrimp that skipped charm school and went straight to flavor bootcamp.

Let’s Talk Ingredients (a.k.a. The Squad)

Awesome Shrimp – These aren’t just shrimp. They’re Awesome Shrimp—a top-tier sponsor of the show and a top-tier choice for flavor, freshness, and general deliciousness.

If you’re not using Awesome Shrimp, you’re just settling for "pretty good shrimp," and we simply won’t stand for it.

2 tbsp oil – Because shrimp deserve to slip-n-slide in something besides just your stomach.
2 tbsp ground ginger – Adds warmth and zing. Not the same ginger as your Aunt Karen’s neighbor who plays ukulele and makes kombucha. This one brings spice and everything nice.
1 tbsp basil – A little herb that goes a long way. Basil is like that one cousin who only shows up at family reunions but still makes an impact.
¼ cup teriyaki sauce – Sweet, savory, and slightly sassy. Much like Mad Dog after three cups of Sun Drop.
1 tbsp Garlic Pepper – One of our very own Mad Dog & Merrill® signature seasoning blends! Available now on the website. Trust us, you want this in your spice rack.
1 tbsp Citrus Twist – Another classic from the Mad Dog & Merrill® lineup. It’s tangy, zesty, and basically the life of the party. If this seasoning were a person, it would show up in a Hawaiian shirt with a boom box.

The Method Behind the Madness

Start with the stars. Pour your Awesome Shrimp into a baking dish. Marvel at their beauty. Try not to cry tears of joy.
Bring the flavor. Pour in your oil, sprinkle that ginger and basil, then drizzle the teriyaki like you’re painting a masterpiece. Finally, add your Garlic Pepper and Citrus Twist like the gourmet grill artist you were born to be.
Toss it like you mean it. Use tongs to gently—but confidently—mix the shrimp around. You want every bite to get cozy with that marinade.
Let it sit. Give it an hour to soak up those flavors. You can use this time to clean the grill, prep a side dish, or stand there smiling proudly at your shrimp. We won’t judge.
To the wok we go! Toss the marinated shrimp into a grill wok.
Grill it like you stole it. Heat the grill to 280 degrees and cook until the shrimp are pink, curled, and cooked through. Pro tip: Don’t walk away. Shrimp cook fast—faster than Merrill dodging chores on a Saturday.

Serving Suggestions
Pile these beauties onto a platter and serve them up with a cold drink, a few napkins, and a big ol’ grin. They’re perfect on their own, over rice, or tucked into tortillas for next-level tacos. However you serve them, be prepared to share the recipe (and the shrimp).

Final Thoughts from the Grill'n Gang
This recipe is a delicious reminder that grilling is more than just burgers and brats. With the right ingredients (shoutout again to Awesome Shrimp) and a couple of killer seasoning blends (hint: ours), you can take your taste buds on a tropical vacation—without ever leaving your backyard.
So fire up that grill, shake out your tongs, and get ready to shell-ebrate. 🦐

Want to taste the magic for yourself? Grab Garlic Pepper and Citrus Twist from our online store, stock up on Awesome Shrimp, and make your next grill-out truly shrimpressive.

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Bloody Mary Shrimp

3/6/2025

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Ingredients

2 lbs Awesome Shrimp
1 C Lutz Bloody Mary Mix
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 oz Gin
1 Lemon, squeezed
2 Tbsp Garlic
2 Tbsp Up Nort Pepper

Directions

Mix all ingredients together.
Marinade for a few hours.
Place on cedar plank.
Grill until shrimp is cooked through.

Bloody Mary Shrimp is a Mad Dog & Merrill® Original Recipe from Episode Twenty One of the 2021 Season of the Midwest Grill'n Show. Watch "West Allis" for this great recipe from America's Favorite Grill'n Show and More! Episode recipes include Kobe Beef, Bloody Mary Shrimp, Lemon Pork, Apricot Sausage, and Red Snapper Drink. Download the E-Book by visiting the Mad Dog & Merrill Online Store and become a Lifetime Member of the Mad Dog & Merrill® Grill'n Club to gain FREE access to all episode E-Books.

Mad Dog & Merrill® only endorse the highest quality of products and services.
What kind of grills do Mad Dog & Merrill® use? Our favorite grills include Pit Boss Pellet Grills and Louisiana Grills.
Where can the products used on the Midwest Grill'n show be found? Sun Drop Soda, Awesome Shrimp, and Wisconsin Potatoes.
Help us thank our sponsors by patronizing their local business, such as Shooting Star Casino.
Produced by Lashbro Visual Communications.

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Pizza Shrimp Skewers: The Backyard App You Didn’t Know You Needed

Shrimp Hors d’Oeuvres: Fancy Enough for a Party, Saucy Enough for Mad Dog & Merrill®

Horsey Shrimp Dip: A Dip So Bold, It Bites Back (In a Good Way)

Teriyaki Red Shrimp: A Flavor Bomb That’ll Make You the Shell of the Party

Bloody Mary Shrimp

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