There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of a grill on a warm summer evening, transforming simple ingredients into a feast for the senses. A few weeks ago, I upgraded my backyard with a shiny new BBQ, and it has truly rekindled my passion for outdoor cooking. Our previous grill, a hand-me-down from my parents, had dutifully served its purpose but was definitely past its prime, having suffered an unfortunate encounter with a collapsing gazebo roof. While it still functioned, it was certainly an eyesore. Now, with this fantastic new grill, every sunny day is an invitation to fire it up and create delicious meals for my family. The sheer joy of grilling outdoors has made our dinners not just meals, but experiences.
If you’re anything like me and embracing the full glory of BBQ season, then get ready for a recipe that will revolutionize your summer cooking. I recently crafted a meal for my family that ticks all the boxes: incredibly easy to prepare, lightning-fast to cook, and astonishingly simple to clean up afterwards. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? This particular dish also marked my challenge for “The Cultured Kitchen” in July, where I was tasked with infusing a classic BBQ concept with a distinctive Asian twist. The result is what I affectionately call “East Made Easy”: my mouthwatering Grilled Sesame Shrimp & Veggies recipe. I’m so confident in its appeal that I guarantee you’ll add this to your regular rotation after just one try!
Grilled Sesame Shrimp & Veggies: A Flavorful Summer Delight
This recipe is a true celebration of fresh, vibrant ingredients and bold Asian-inspired flavors, all brought together with the magic of the grill. For the vegetable base, I carefully selected a colorful medley of green, red, and yellow bell peppers, combined with sweet onions, earthy mushrooms, and crisp sugar snap peas. This combination not only provides a beautiful aesthetic but also offers a delightful range of textures and natural sweetness that perfectly complements the shrimp. However, don’t feel limited by my choices; this recipe is incredibly versatile! If you have other favorites, such as zucchini, broccoli florets, or even cherry tomatoes, feel free to substitute them in. The key is to choose vegetables that cook relatively quickly and hold their shape well under the grill’s heat.
The star protein of this dish is succulent shrimp. I opted for frozen uncooked shrimp, which I allowed to thaw slowly in the refrigerator for approximately 10 hours before use. This slow thawing process helps maintain the shrimp’s delicate texture and flavor. When selecting shrimp, look for varieties that are tail-off, deveined, and peeled for maximum convenience. These little morsels absorb the marinade beautifully and cook to tender perfection in minutes. But while the shrimp and veggies lay a fantastic foundation, the true essence of this dish, its vibrant Asian flair, comes from the sensational sauce.
Crafting the perfect sauce is simple yet crucial. You’ll need just a few key ingredients to create a marinade that is both savory and slightly sweet: fragrant minced garlic, tangy rice vinegar, nutty sesame seeds, and, for that authentic depth of flavor, Blue Dragon Sesame Oil. The sesame oil, in particular, contributes a rich, toasted aroma that is synonymous with Asian cuisine. If you’re a fan of bold flavors, I highly recommend making a little extra sauce. It’s not just for the grill; it makes an absolutely divine dressing for a fresh tossed salad, adding an unexpected and delightful kick to your greens. This homemade sauce is what truly elevates the grilled shrimp and vegetables from good to unforgettable.
The Brilliance of Foil Packet Grilling
One of the many reasons this recipe has become a summer staple in my home is the ingenious cooking method: aluminum foil packets. You don’t need any special grilling equipment or elaborate serving dishes. The brilliance lies in the simplicity and efficiency of these individual parcels. To create them, simply cut a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil to roughly the size of a 9×13-inch baking sheet. This generous size ensures you have enough material to fold and seal your packet securely, preventing any precious juices or steam from escaping.
On one half of the foil sheet, in the center, place your beautifully tossed vegetable mixture. This forms the flavorful bed for the shrimp. Next, arrange your thawed shrimp on top of the vegetables, ensuring an even distribution. The final, crucial step is to generously drizzle your homemade sesame sauce over everything. This sauce will permeate the shrimp and vegetables as they cook, infusing every bite with incredible flavor. Once your ingredients are neatly arranged, fold the other half of the aluminum foil over the mixture, creating a closed packet. Carefully seal all the edges by folding them over multiple times. This tight seal is essential for trapping the steam and flavors inside, allowing the ingredients to cook evenly and deliciously.
These sealed packets are then placed directly onto a preheated BBQ grill over medium-high heat. The cooking time is incredibly fast, typically around 10 minutes. The foil acts like a mini-oven, steaming the vegetables and shrimp to tender perfection while simultaneously allowing them to absorb the smoky essence of the grill. When it’s time to remove them, exercise extreme caution! The packets will be incredibly hot and filled with steam. Using tongs or oven mitts, carefully transfer them from the grill to a plate or serving platter. Always open them away from your face to avoid a steam burn. The reward for your minimal effort will be a perfectly cooked, intensely flavorful meal with virtually no cleanup.
Why Foil Packets Are Your Grilling Best Friend
Foil packet grilling is a game-changer for anyone who loves the taste of grilled food but dreads the cleanup. I’ve been making veggies in foil packets for years, often alongside grilled steak, typically with a simple mix of green peppers, mushrooms, and onions. It’s a classic for a reason – everything cooks perfectly, and there’s minimal mess. Trying this Asian twist on a beloved summer tradition has been a delightful revelation. The ease and incredible flavor of these sesame shrimp and veggie packets have cemented their place as a staple in my summer recipe repertoire. It’s truly a testament to how simple tweaks can transform familiar dishes into exciting new experiences.
Beyond the convenience, foil packets offer several culinary advantages:
- Moisture Retention: The sealed environment locks in moisture, ensuring that shrimp remains juicy and vegetables stay tender, never dry.
- Flavor Infusion: All the ingredients simmer together in their own juices and the delicious sauce, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.
- Even Cooking: The consistent heat within the packet promotes uniform cooking, preventing overcooked edges or undercooked centers.
- Customization for Everyone: Each family member can customize their own packet with preferred vegetables or protein variations, catering to different tastes or dietary needs without extra effort.
- Healthy Cooking: Minimal oil is needed, and the natural flavors are enhanced, making for a wholesome and nutritious meal.
This method truly simplifies summer entertaining and weeknight dinners, allowing you to spend less time on preparation and cleanup, and more time enjoying the company of your loved ones.
This recipe yields six generous servings, making it a complete and satisfying meal all in one convenient packet. The beauty of these foil meals is that you don’t even need to bother with plates or bowls unless you specifically want to. Your friends and family can easily enjoy their piping hot, flavorful meal directly from the packet, saving you even more dishes! It’s the ultimate hassle-free solution for busy weeknights or relaxed backyard gatherings.
Once you’ve whipped up a batch of these Grilled Sesame Shrimp & Veggies, I would absolutely love to hear about your experience. Did you customize the veggies? Was the sauce a hit? Drop a comment below and let me know how they turned out for you!
For more delicious shrimp-focused inspiration, you might also enjoy these popular recipes: Air Fryer Shrimp, Shrimp Creole, Curried Shrimp Rolls, and Shrimp Chowder.
Craving something sweet after your savory meal? Don’t miss out on these fun and easy Banana Boats for a delightful grilled dessert!
What delectable creations are sizzling on your grill this summer? Share your favorite grilling adventures in the comments!
And if you’re looking for even more shrimp recipes to broaden your culinary horizons, be sure to try this irresistible Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp and a refreshing Shrimp Salad.
Disclosure: I am part of The Cultured Kitchen Ambassador program in partnership with Blue Dragon Canada and Patak’s Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Grilled Sesame Shrimp & Veggies
Stacie Vaughan
6
10 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
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Ingredients
- 1 cup shrimp uncooked, tail off, deveined and peeled
- ⅔ cup sugar snap peas
- 2 green peppers sliced
- 2 red peppers sliced
- 2 yellow peppers sliced
- 1 large yellow onion sliced
- 2 cups white button mushrooms sliced
Sauce
- ½ cup sesame oil
- 6 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
- 4 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
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Toss all selected vegetables together in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
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Tear off six individual sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, each roughly the size of a 9×13-inch baking sheet, and lay them out flat on a clean surface.
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On one side of each foil sheet, add approximately 1 ½ cups of the vegetable mixture. Evenly divide the thawed shrimp among the packets and place them on top of the vegetables.
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In a small separate bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and minced garlic until the sauce is fully emulsified. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of this delicious sauce over each shrimp and veggie mixture. Use a spoon to gently combine, ensuring all ingredients are lightly coated.
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Carefully fold the other half of the aluminum foil over the ingredients, creating a secure packet. Fold and crimp the edges tightly to seal the packets completely, preventing any steam or sauce from escaping during grilling.
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Place the sealed foil packets directly on your preheated grill over medium-high heat. Grill for approximately 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque, and the vegetables are tender-crisp. Serve hot and open with caution due to hot steam inside.
Notes
Equipment
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Mixing bowl
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Whisk
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Aluminum foil
Nutrition
Serving: 1g
|
Calories: 270kcal
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Carbohydrates: 16g
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Protein: 9g
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Fat: 20g
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Saturated Fat: 3g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g
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Cholesterol: 51mg
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Sodium: 235mg
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Fiber: 4g
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Sugar: 6g
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Main Dishes
Asian
Grilled Sesame Shrimp & Veggies
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