Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Bacon Wrapped Shrimp recipe! This crowd-pleasing appetizer masterfully blends the smoky, savory crispness of bacon with the succulent sweetness of perfectly cooked shrimp. Brushed with an irresistible sweet and savory glaze, each bite offers a symphony of flavors that will have your guests reaching for more. Best of all, this impressive dish comes together in just around 35 minutes, making it the ideal choice for stress-free entertaining or a quick, gourmet weeknight treat. Prepare to make these a staple at your next gathering!
Why This Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Recipe Is a Must-Try
There’s a reason bacon-wrapped anything is a perennial favorite, and this shrimp recipe takes that concept to a whole new level. What makes this particular recipe so exceptional? It’s all about the harmonious balance of textures and flavors, expertly combined for an unforgettable culinary experience. We start with tender, juicy shrimp – the perfect canvas for flavor. Each plump shrimp is then lovingly coated in a vibrant, easy-to-make glaze featuring the rich, golden notes of honey, the umami depth of soy sauce, and the sweet warmth of maple syrup. This magical trio creates a sticky, caramelized exterior that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the shrimp.
But the true star of the show is, of course, the crispy bacon. We don’t just wrap it; we ensure it’s cooked to a golden, irresistible crispness that provides a delightful textural contrast to the tender shrimp. The savory, slightly salty bacon not only holds the shrimp together but also infuses it with its characteristic smoky goodness, tying all the flavors into a cohesive, mouthwatering package. This thoughtful combination means every bite is an explosion of sweet, salty, savory, and umami notes, guaranteeing finger-licking satisfaction. It’s an appetizer that looks sophisticated but is surprisingly simple to execute, perfect for impressing guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether served as a standalone starter, alongside other gourmet appetizers like bacon wrapped scallops, or even as a light main course, these bacon wrapped shrimp are sure to disappear fast!
Gather Your Ingredients for Succulent Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Creating these delectable bacon wrapped shrimp requires just a handful of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors and perfect textures. Below is a list of everything you’ll need. For precise measurements and detailed instructions, refer to the printable recipe card located at the very end of this post.
Key Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
Understanding your ingredients is the first step to culinary success. Here’s a closer look at the core components of our bacon wrapped shrimp and how to choose them wisely, along with helpful substitution tips:
SHRIMP – The foundation of this dish! We recommend using raw “grilling shrimp” if you can find them at your local seafood counter. These are typically larger and hold up well to grilling or baking. If grilling shrimp isn’t available, opt for extra-large raw shrimp. The key is to ensure they are peeled and deveined, but crucially, keep the tails on! The tail acts as a convenient little handle, making these appetizers easy to pick up and dip, which is perfect for any party setting. Avoid using pre-cooked frozen shrimp, as they can easily become rubbery and overcooked when reheated.
BACON – This is where much of the flavor and texture comes from. For optimal results and even cooking, we highly recommend using center-cut bacon. Unlike regular bacon, which can have varying widths and thicknesses along the strip, center-cut bacon is uniform from end to end. This consistency ensures that every piece crisps up evenly around the shrimp. It’s important to partially pre-cook the bacon in the oven before wrapping it around the shrimp. Shrimp cooks very quickly, and if you don’t pre-cook the bacon, it likely won’t get fully crispy and rendered in the short time it takes for the shrimp to cook through. This pre-cooking step is crucial for achieving that coveted crisp texture. We do not recommend using thick-cut bacon, as it will take too long to crisp, or turkey bacon, which has a different fat content and flavor profile that won’t yield the same delicious results.
THE GLAZE (Honey, Soy Sauce, Maple Syrup) – This simple yet powerful trio creates the signature sweet and savory coating. Honey contributes a floral sweetness and helps achieve a beautiful caramelization. Soy sauce brings essential umami, depth, and a touch of saltiness that balances the sweetness. Maple syrup adds another layer of rich, earthy sweetness, complementing the other flavors perfectly. For best results, use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup. If you prefer a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the glaze. For an extra aromatic layer, a tiny bit of minced garlic or garlic powder can elevate the glaze even further. These small additions are optional but can personalize the flavor to your liking.
Crafting Your Perfect Bacon Wrapped Shrimp: A Step-by-Step Guide
Embark on a culinary adventure with these easy-to-follow steps to create the most delicious bacon wrapped shrimp. These detailed instructions, accompanied by descriptive photos, will guide you through each stage of the cooking process, ensuring a perfect result every time. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with exact measurements and ingredients, simply scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for both the bacon pre-cooking and the final shrimp bake, promoting even and consistent results.
- Set Up for Bacon: Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. This makes for super easy cleanup later! On top of the foil, place a wire cooling rack. This setup is crucial for allowing air circulation around the bacon, ensuring it crisps up beautifully without sitting in its own rendered fat.
- Partially Cook the Bacon: Arrange the strips of center-cut bacon in a single layer on the wire rack, making sure they don’t overlap. Place the baking sheet with the bacon into the preheated oven and partially cook for approximately 10 minutes. This step is vital to give the bacon a head start on crisping before it’s wrapped around the quickly cooking shrimp. Once partially cooked, remove the bacon from the oven but leave the oven on for the next steps.
- Prepare the Glaze and Coat Shrimp: While the bacon is cooling slightly, in a medium bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, and maple syrup. Whisk them together until well blended to form a cohesive, shiny glaze. Add the raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp (with tails on) to the bowl. Gently toss the shrimp with your hands (wearing gloves is recommended for easy cleanup) until each piece is thoroughly coated in the sweet and savory glaze.
- Wrap the Shrimp: On a clean cutting board, cut each strip of the partially cooked bacon in half crosswise. Take one half-slice of bacon and carefully wrap it around the thickest part of a glazed shrimp. Secure the bacon tightly in place with a toothpick. Repeat this process for all the shrimp. Remember: do NOT discard any remaining glaze in the bowl; you’ll need it for the next step.
- Second Glaze Application: Arrange the bacon wrapped shrimp on the same wire rack on the baking sheet (you might need to clean the rack or use a fresh one if there’s too much bacon grease). Using a pastry brush, generously brush each wrapped shrimp with the remaining honey-soy-maple glaze. This extra layer of glaze ensures maximum flavor and a beautiful caramelized finish.
- Season for Extra Flavor: Lightly sprinkle the prepared shrimp with Montreal steak seasoning. This blend of coarse salt, black pepper, garlic, onion, and various spices adds an additional layer of savory depth and a subtle peppery kick that perfectly complements the sweet and smoky flavors.
- Bake to Perfection: Carefully place the baking sheet back into the preheated 425°F (220°C) oven. Bake for approximately 7-8 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque and pink, and the bacon is crispy and fully cooked. Keep a close eye on them, as shrimp cooks quickly. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Success
Absolutely! Using frozen shrimp is perfectly fine and often more convenient. However, it is essential to fully thaw them before you begin the recipe. Place the frozen shrimp in a bowl of cold water for about 15-20 minutes, or thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, pat the shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is crucial for the glaze to adhere properly and for the shrimp to cook without becoming watery. Also, ensure you are using raw frozen shrimp, not pre-cooked varieties, as pre-cooked shrimp will become tough and rubbery when baked again.
Bacon wrapped shrimp are truly best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, when the bacon is at its crispiest and the shrimp is most tender. However, if you happen to have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. For reheating, an air fryer works wonders to bring back some of that crispiness. Heat them at 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through and the bacon is crisp again. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a conventional oven at 300°F (150°C) for approximately 10-12 minutes.
For consistent results and that perfect crispy texture, we strongly recommend using center-cut bacon. Its uniform thickness and width ensure that the bacon cooks evenly around the shrimp, preventing some parts from being undercooked while others are burnt. Regular-cut bacon can also work, but keep an eye on it for variations in crispness. We advise against using thick-cut bacon, as it simply won’t crisp up adequately in the short cooking time required for the shrimp. Similarly, turkey bacon has a different fat content and flavor profile that won’t deliver the classic, rich taste and texture this recipe aims for.
Yes, this recipe is wonderfully suitable for make-ahead preparation, which is a fantastic time-saver for entertaining! You can partially cook the bacon, wrap it around the glazed raw shrimp, and secure it with toothpicks a few hours before your event, or even the morning of. Store the prepped shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure to cover and reserve any remaining glaze separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, simply proceed with step 6: brush the shrimp with the reserved glaze, sprinkle with seasoning, and bake as directed. This ensures maximum freshness and flavor while significantly reducing last-minute prep.
Absolutely! The air fryer is an excellent alternative for cooking bacon wrapped shrimp, often yielding an even crispier result with slightly less mess. For detailed instructions on how to adapt this recipe for the air fryer, including recommended temperatures and cooking times, we have a dedicated guide. Simply hop over to our air fryer bacon wrapped shrimp recipe for all the specific tips and tricks you’ll need.
Delightful Serving Suggestions for Your Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
These savory and sweet bacon wrapped shrimp are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways to suit any occasion. You can present them elegantly on a platter, either leaving the toothpicks inserted (which makes them easy to pick up) or removing them, allowing guests to use the shrimp’s tail as a natural handle. To truly elevate the experience, offer a selection of complementary dipping sauces. Classic choices include creamy ranch dressing, tangy BBQ sauce, a zesty tartar sauce, or a unique and flavorful Alabama white sauce for a smoky, spicy kick. For a vibrant touch and a hint of freshness, a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh parsley over the platter makes a beautiful garnish. These shrimp make an excellent appetizer for parties, game days, or even a sophisticated starter for a dinner party. Enjoy them warm, and watch them disappear!
Discover More Delicious Bacon-Wrapped Creations
If you loved this bacon wrapped shrimp recipe, you’ll be thrilled to explore more ways to incorporate that irresistible crispy, savory goodness into other dishes. Bacon is truly a culinary marvel, transforming ordinary ingredients into extraordinary delights. Here are some of our other favorite bacon-infused recipes that are sure to become new staples in your kitchen:
- Crispy Bacon Twists
- Juicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken
- Gourmet Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Savory Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs
- Irresistible Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
- Healthy & Delicious Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
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Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
IMPORTANT – Detailed Frequently Asked Questions and Expert Tips are available in the blog post above. Scroll up for helpful insights!
Print Recipe
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Ingredients
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1 pound raw grilling shrimp peeled, deveined, tails left on -
12 ounces sliced center cut bacon not thick cut -
2 Tablespoons honey -
4 Tablespoons soy sauce -
2 Tablespoons maple syrup -
1 Tablespoons Montreal steak seasoning
Equipment Needed
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Baking sheet
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Wire cooling rack
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Toothpicks
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Vinyl gloves
Important Notes & Tips
- Use raw, extra-large shrimp with tails on for easy handling. Thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat dry before use.
- Center-cut bacon is highly recommended for even cooking and crispness. Partially pre-cook bacon for 10 minutes before wrapping.
- Avoid thick-cut or turkey bacon as they won’t yield the best results for this recipe.
- Best served immediately, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days and reheated in an air fryer or oven.
- For make-ahead convenience, prep shrimp and bacon, secure with toothpicks, and store in the fridge. Reserve glaze separately and brush on just before baking.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
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Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
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Place bacon strips on the wire rack and partially cook for 10 minutes. Remove from oven (leave oven on).
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Combine honey, soy sauce, and maple syrup. Pour over shrimp and toss to coat thoroughly.
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Cut partially cooked bacon slices in half. Wrap each shrimp with a half-slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Do not discard remaining glaze.
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Place wrapped shrimp on the wire rack and brush with the reserved glaze.
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Sprinkle shrimp with Montreal steak seasoning.
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Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until shrimp are cooked through and bacon is crispy.
Nutrition Information
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Please note that recipes on this blog are typically tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. Oven performance can vary, especially with age, so an inexpensive oven thermometer can help ensure accurate temperatures. If using a toaster oven, countertop oven, pressure cooker, air fryer, or slow cooker, cooking times may need adjustment. For baking recipes where measurements are by weight, results may differ if cups are used instead, and success with that method cannot be guaranteed.