These Sweet Red Shrimp From Trader Joe's Are A Grilling Game Changer

When firing up the grill to cook shrimp, you may not stress much over what kind of crustacean you've picked. After all, the shrimp will be sandwiched between meat and veggies on a skewer, tossed into a salad, or stuffed into a taco with some cilantro lime slaw — essentially, it's not always the main affair. Every once in a while, though, one comes across a product like Trader Joe's Wild Raw Argentinian Red Shrimp.

If you've ever had a taste of South American shrimp, you may have mistakenly confused it for another crustacean. Trader Joe's Wild Raw Argentinian Red Shrimp mimics the flavor of lobster, making it a prized pick amongst its peers. Compared to other varieties, red Argentinian shrimp is known for its plump, large meat and sweet, buttery taste that's akin to seafood twice its price. Their delicate stature makes them a popular choice for shrimp scampi and the like, but we're fond of grilling the not-so-little suckers.

A nice, quick (emphasis on quick) go on the grill brings a subtly smoky char to contrast the sweet shrimp. Since its flesh is tender, it's important not to leave the shrimp on the grill for too long; otherwise, it'll quickly turn rubbery. After thawing the shrimp and marinating them in olive oil, sea salt, and cracked pepper, heat the grill to medium-high. Two minutes on each side is the sweet spot; once the shrimp are pink and opaque, they're ready to eat.

The premier seafood product tastes delightful with a simple sauce of melted butter, lemon zest, minced garlic, and cilantro, but if you want to step up the grilled dish, you don't need to look further than another aisle at your local TJ's. The variety is one of Trader Joe's best shrimp products, but it's easily elevated with other non-seafood items from the retailer.

If you're grilling the shrimp on skewers with onions, peppers, and zucchinis, look at one of Trader Joe's spice blends. The Cuban-Style Citrusy Garlic Seasoning Blend features limes, basil, bitter orange, cilantro, garlic and onion powder, and parsley, offering a zingy, earthy flair to the ultra-sweet shrimp. A few dashes of the blend onto the skewers brings a bold flavor, but you can also add the seasoning to some lime aioli for a punchy boost.

When grabbing the frozen shrimp, swing by the pantry aisle to grab some Lemon Pesto Sauce. One of our favorite popular Trader Joe's lemon-flavored products, the sauce features almonds and Grana Padano cheese, lending it a nutty, mild taste that doesn't overpower the Argentinian shrimp. Use the pesto as a dipping sauce for your shrimp, smear it onto a toasted baguette and pile the seafood on top, or add it to a pasta salad with the marinated grilled shrimp, arugula, spinach, red onions, and toasted almonds.