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

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

1. Start with the stars. Pour your Awesome Shrimp into a baking dish. Marvel at their beauty. Try not to cry tears of joy.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. 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.
   
5. To the wok we go! Toss the marinated shrimp into a grill wok.
   
6. 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.