These Grilled Buffalo Shrimp with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing are fiery, flavorful, and perfect for summer cookouts or game‑day spreads. Juicy shrimp are quickly grilled for a smoky char, then tossed in tangy buffalo sauce and paired with a creamy, cooling blue cheese dressing that elevates every bite to the next level.
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🍤 The Ingredients
Made with just a handful of simple ingredients—plump shrimp, hot sauce, butter, and a few pantry spices—this recipe shines when paired with a cool, tangy homemade blue cheese dressing. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and variations) below.
👉 Substitutions and Variations
- Shrimp: Large shrimp work best, but medium shrimp or even prawns can be used. If using frozen, thaw completely and pat dry before grilling.
- Hot Sauce: A vinegar‑based hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot gives the classic buffalo flavor. Swap with sriracha for a spicier twist or a smoky chipotle sauce for depth.
- Butter: Balances the heat and adds richness. For a dairy‑free option, use ghee or plant‑based butter.
- Smoked Paprika: Regular paprika plus a pinch of cumin or a dash of liquid smoke gives a similar smoky depth.
- Chili Powder: Swap with cayenne pepper (for more heat), chipotle powder (for smoky spice), or a blend of paprika and cumin for a milder option.
- Blue Cheese Dressing: Homemade gives the best flavor, but store‑bought works if you’re short on time. Homemade Ranch Dressing can be substituted if you’re not a fan of blue cheese.
- Grilling Alternative: No grill? Cook the shrimp under the broiler or in a hot skillet for a similar char and flavor.
See the recipe card (with video) below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
☑️ Tips and Trips for Perfect Grilled Buffalo Shrimp
- Don’t overcook the shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly—just 2–3 minutes per side. Pull them off the grill as soon as they turn pink and opaque to keep them juicy.
- Use skewers for easy grilling: Thread shrimp onto skewers to prevent them from falling through the grates and to make flipping easier.
- Pat shrimp dry: Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning stick and gives you a better sear.
- Control the heat: Add more butter to the buffalo sauce for a milder flavor, or an extra splash of hot sauce for fiery shrimp.
- Make the dressing ahead: The blue cheese dressing tastes even better if prepared a few hours—or even a day—in advance, giving the flavors time to meld.
- No grill? No problem: You can broil or pan‑sear the shrimp for similar results if grilling isn’t an option.
Expert Tip
If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20–30 minutes before threading the shrimp—this prevents them from burning or breaking apart on the grill.
👩🏼🍳 How To Make Grilled Buffalo Shrimp
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together the rub ingredients.
- Step 2: Place the shrimp in a bowl and toss with the rub.
- Step 3: Grill the shrimp until pink and cooked through.
- Step 4: Heat the butter, hot sauce, garlic powder, and pepper in a saucepan.
- Step 5: Place wings in a bowl and toss with the sauce.
- Step 6: Serve at once with homemade blue cheese dressing.
Expert Tip
Shrimp are sold by count per pound in the United States. The number on the label will indicate the number of shrimp in the package. If it reads 21/25, you know there should be from 21 to 25 shrimp in each pound.
🍽️ How To Serve
- You will want to serve these just as you would Classic Buffalo Chicken Wings.
- We love to place them in a pile in the center of a large oval platter and then flank them with cut celery pieces and a couple of small jars of the homemade blue cheese dressing.
- You could also serve them with homemade ranch dressing.
🙋🏽♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
You can prepare the blue cheese dressing in advance, but the shrimp are best grilled and served fresh to keep them juicy and flavorful.
Large or jumbo shrimp work best for grilling, but medium shrimp can be used if that’s what you have on hand.
It has a medium kick, but you can adjust the heat level by adding more or less hot sauce to the buffalo sauce.
Yes! You can broil the shrimp in the oven or sear them in a hot skillet for a similar charred flavor.
🔥 Other Amazing “Buffalo” Recipes
Ready to make the best shrimp appetizer this side of Buffalo, NY? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!
Grilled Buffalo Shrimp
Video
Equipment
- 4 to 6 wooden or metal skewers
Ingredients
- Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing click for easy recipe
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper divided (½ teaspoon for the shrimp and ½ for the sauce)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder divided (½ teaspoon for the shrimp and ½ for the sauce)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 18 large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ cup hot sauce Frank’s is good
- celery cut into strips
Instructions
Do Ahead
- Make the blue cheese dressing and chill, covered, until ready to serve.Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
Prepare the Shrimp
- Prepare your grill for direct cooking over medium heat.
- In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper (½ tsp), onion powder, garlic powder (½ tsp), paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.1 teaspoon Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Place the shrimp in a large bowl and toss with the olive oil. Sprinkle the seasonings all over them. Toss until they are well coated.18 large shrimp, 2 tablespoon olive oil
- Skewer all of the shrimp.
- Grill the shrimp, turning once, until just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat the butter, hot sauce, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and½ teaspoon black pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat until simmering.4 tablespoon unsalted butter, ¼ cup hot sauce
- Remove grilled shrimp from the skewers and place them in a clean heat-proof bowl. Pour the sauce over the shrimp. Toss to coat.
- Serve immediately with blue cheese dip and celery.celery
Notes
Nutrition
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in August 2017, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe with new tips and photography and a fabulous new video in September 2023!
Susan says
Quick question. When do I add the 2 tablespoons olive oil? When I toss the shrimp with spices? I made the recipe and it turned out great even though I never added the olive oil.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Susan! So sorry about that! You toss the shrimp with the oil before adding the seasonings. But, it’s not 100% necessary (as you discovered). Thanks for the heads up, we’ve updated the recipe to reflect this. And…we are THRILLED you loved the shrimp! Aren’t they sooooo scrumptious! Thank you for sharing and for the wonderful review. That honestly means so much to us!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Susan Foster says
Hi Kris and Wesley, I am a big fan of your cooking recipes and have tried many. Anyway yesterday I made the Buffalo Shrimp and it was absolutely delicious. Marge and I were entertaining and our friends loved the shrimp in this amazing sauce. Another How to Feed a Loon wonderful decicious recipe. Thank you! You have made my cooking fun and greatly improved. Susan
Kris Longwell says
Hi Susan! You honestly just made our day! (you always do!). We are so excited you made the Buffalo shrimp and made it for guests and you had such great success! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing and your kind words.That means so much to us!!! Have a wonderful day and week ahead!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Huli says
Yaas!! Love this and it’s too easy to make! Thanks!
Kris Longwell says
Awesome! We are so so thrilled you made the Buffalo wings and loved them! Thank you so so much for sharing and for the wonderful review! That means the world to us! Please stay in touch!! Kris & Wesley