Garlic Butter Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp are a delicious appetizer or dinner made with juicy shrimp, smoky bacon, simple seasonings, and a rich buttery finish. The bacon becomes crisp around the shrimp while the shrimp stay tender, making every bite savory, juicy, and full of flavor.
This recipe is perfect for parties, family dinners, holidays, game nights, or a quick seafood meal. It looks impressive on a platter but takes only a few ingredients and a short cooking time.
Serve these bacon-wrapped shrimp with lemon wedges, rice, roasted vegetables, salad, or a creamy dipping sauce.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe combines smoky bacon with tender shrimp for an irresistible flavor combination. The shrimp cook quickly, and the bacon adds a crispy, savory outside layer.
The garlic butter sauce gives the finished dish a rich flavor without covering up the natural sweetness of the shrimp. You can make it mild, spicy, sweet, or extra garlicky depending on your taste.
These shrimp are also easy to prepare ahead of time. Wrap them with bacon, refrigerate them briefly, then bake or pan-sear when you are ready to serve.
Recipe Information
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 15 to 20 minutes to cook. It makes around 12 to 16 bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Shrimp are ready when they turn pink, opaque, and curl into a loose “C” shape. Do not overcook them, as they can become tough.
Ingredients
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 bacon slices, cut in half
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped parsley, optional
Lemon wedges, for serving
Choosing the Best Shrimp
Large or jumbo shrimp are the best choice for this recipe because they are easy to wrap with bacon and stay juicy while cooking. Choose shrimp that are peeled and deveined, but keep the tails on if you want a more attractive presentation.
If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely in the refrigerator or under cold running water. Pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning. Dry shrimp cook more evenly and help the bacon crisp better.
Use regular-cut bacon instead of thick-cut bacon. Regular bacon cooks faster and wraps around the shrimp more easily.
How to Make Garlic Butter Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place a wire rack on top if you have one, as this helps the bacon crisp on all sides.
Add the shrimp to a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss gently until the shrimp are evenly coated.
Wrap one half-slice of bacon around each shrimp. Start near the tail and wrap toward the thicker end. Secure the bacon with a toothpick if needed.
Place the wrapped shrimp on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.
While the shrimp bake, melt butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice.
Remove the shrimp from the oven once the bacon is crisp and the shrimp are pink and opaque. Brush or toss the shrimp with the garlic butter, then sprinkle with parsley.
Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Tips for Perfect Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Do not wrap the bacon too tightly. Bacon shrinks while cooking, so a loose wrap helps it cook evenly without squeezing the shrimp too much.
Use a hot oven so the bacon begins crisping before the shrimp overcook. Turning the shrimp once during baking helps both sides brown evenly.
If the bacon needs extra crisping after the shrimp are cooked, broil for 1 to 2 minutes. Watch carefully, because bacon can brown quickly under the broiler.
Do not leave the shrimp in the oven too long. Remove them as soon as they are opaque and tender.
Easy Variations
For a sweet-and-spicy version, brush the shrimp with a little honey and hot sauce during the final few minutes of baking.
For a barbecue version, brush the bacon-wrapped shrimp with barbecue sauce just before serving. The smoky bacon and sweet sauce work perfectly together.
For a cheesy version, add a small piece of cream cheese or mozzarella beside the shrimp before wrapping with bacon. Make sure the bacon holds the filling securely.
For a Cajun version, use Cajun seasoning instead of the paprika and garlic powder. Serve with a creamy ranch or remoulade-style sauce.
What to Serve With Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
These shrimp are delicious with white rice, garlic butter rice, pasta, roasted potatoes, or crispy fries.
For a lighter meal, serve them with grilled asparagus, green beans, roasted broccoli, corn, or a fresh salad.
As an appetizer, arrange the shrimp on a platter with lemon wedges and dipping sauces such as garlic aioli, cocktail sauce, honey mustard, ranch dressing, or spicy mayo.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warm. Avoid reheating too long because shrimp can become rubbery.
These shrimp are best served fresh, when the bacon is crisp and the garlic butter is warm.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not use wet shrimp. Patting the shrimp dry first helps the bacon brown and gives the seasonings a better texture.
Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet. Leave space between the shrimp so heat can circulate and the bacon can crisp.
Do not add the garlic butter before baking. Garlic can burn in a hot oven, so it is best brushed on after the shrimp are cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use turkey bacon? Yes, but turkey bacon may not become as crisp as regular bacon. Cook it slightly before wrapping if you want a crisper result.
Can I cook these in an air fryer? Yes. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through.
Can I make them ahead of time? Yes. Wrap the shrimp with bacon, cover, and refrigerate for several hours before cooking.
Can I use smaller shrimp? Yes, but they cook faster and may need less bacon. Watch them closely so they do not overcook.
Final Thoughts
Garlic Butter Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp are smoky, juicy, buttery, and full of flavor. They are easy enough for a quick dinner and special enough for a party platter.
Make them once, and they will quickly become one of your favorite shrimp recipes for gatherings, holidays, and easy seafood dinners.