Are you ready to sizzle some shrimp on the grill? Pondering the perfect sauce to drizzle over that succulent seafood?
I’m here to help.
Today, I’ll be your culinary guide, unveiling the most delectable sauces to elevate your grilled shrimp to gastronomic glory.
We’ll explore the flavors that harmonize beautifully with shrimp, those that might overpower, and, crucially, I’ll provide you with the insider tips on crafting these sauces from scratch.

Best Sauces For Grilled Shrimp
Cocktail Sauce
A zesty and tangy sauce, cocktail sauce is the quintessential partner for grilled shrimp, offering a robust flavor with a hint of spice that complements the seafood’s natural sweetness.
- Typical Sauce Ingredients: Ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and a dash of hot sauce.
- Quick Recipe: Mix together 1 cup of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of prepared horseradish, a squeeze of lemon juice, a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce to taste.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve chilled as a dipping sauce alongside a platter of freshly grilled shrimp.
Garlic Herb Sauce
This sauce is a fragrant blend of fresh herbs and garlic, offering a refreshing and aromatic complement to the smoky flavors of grilled shrimp.
- Typical Sauce Ingredients: Fresh parsley, cilantro, minced garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice.
- Quick Recipe: Combine 1/2 cup of finely chopped herbs, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup of olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
- Serving Suggestion: Drizzle over the shrimp right off the grill or use it as a marinade before cooking.
Garlic Butter
Garlic butter is a simple yet luxurious sauce, with the rich, savory taste of butter infusing the grilled shrimp with a creamy garlic flavor.
- Typical Sauce Ingredients: Butter, minced garlic, parsley, and a pinch of salt.
- Quick Recipe: Melt 1/2 cup of butter and stir in 4 minced garlic cloves. Cook until fragrant, then remove from heat and stir in chopped parsley.
- Serving Suggestion: Brush over shrimp during the last minutes of grilling or serve as a dip.
Sweet Mustard Sauce
A delightful balance of sweet and tangy, this mustard sauce adds a vibrant kick to the shrimp without overwhelming its delicate flavor.
- Typical Sauce Ingredients: Mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of brown sugar.
- Quick Recipe: Whisk together 1/4 cup of mustard, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and a teaspoon of brown sugar until smooth.
- Serving Suggestion: Use as a glaze during the last few minutes of grilling or as a dipping sauce.
Spicy Mustard Sauce
For those who enjoy a little heat, this spicy mustard sauce brings a fiery twist to the grilled shrimp, enhancing its flavor with a bold and piquant edge.
- Typical Sauce Ingredients: Dijon mustard, hot sauce, honey, and garlic powder.
- Quick Recipe: Mix 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon of hot sauce, 2 teaspoons of honey, and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve as a spirited dipping sauce or brush over shrimp while grilling for a spicy crust.
Lemon Garlic Butter
Lemon garlic butter combines the brightness of lemon with the warmth of garlic, creating a sauce that’s both invigorating and comforting when paired with grilled shrimp.
- Typical Sauce Ingredients: Butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and parsley.
- Quick Recipe: Melt 1/2 cup of butter, add the zest of one lemon, its juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, and a handful of chopped parsley.
- Serving Suggestion: Spoon over hot grilled shrimp or offer as a dip to enhance the seafood’s flavor.
Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri is an herby, garlicky sauce originating from Argentina, known for its vibrant color and flavor, which adds a fresh and zesty dimension to grilled shrimp.
- Typical Sauce Ingredients: Fresh parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and red pepper flakes.
- Quick Recipe: Finely chop 1 cup of parsley and 4 garlic cloves, mix with 1/2 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Serving Suggestion: Spoon over shrimp straight from the grill or use as a marinade for a couple of hours before cooking.
Mango Salsa
Mango salsa is a fruity and spicy condiment that adds a tropical twist to your grilled shrimp, with a perfect balance of sweetness and heat.
- Typical Sauce Ingredients: Ripe mango, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice.
- Quick Recipe: Dice 1 large mango, 1/2 red bell pepper, 1/4 red onion, and 1 jalapeño; mix with chopped cilantro and the juice of one lime.
- Serving Suggestion: Top the grilled shrimp with this salsa or serve on the side for a colorful and flavorful addition.
Classic Tartar Sauce
Tartar sauce is a creamy and tangy sauce that’s a classic accompaniment for seafood, providing a cool and refreshing contrast to the smoky heat of grilled shrimp.
- Typical Sauce Ingredients: Mayonnaise, pickles, lemon juice, capers, and dill.
- Quick Recipe: Combine 1 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of finely chopped pickles, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of capers, and 1 teaspoon of chopped dill.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve as a chilled dip, adding a creamy texture and a tangy flavor to each bite of shrimp.
What Types Of Sauces Pair Best With Grilled Shrimp?
Light, citrusy, or herb-infused sauces pair best with grilled shrimp, enhancing its sweet, delicate flavor without overwhelming it.
What Sauces To Avoid Serving With Grilled Shrimp?
Avoid heavy, overpowering sauces that mask the delicate flavor of grilled shrimp, such as thick, creamy alfredo or intensely spiced curry sauces that can dominate rather than complement the seafood’s natural taste.
Specifically, here are the kind of sauces you’ll want to avoid:
- Béchamel Sauce: Too creamy and mild, can smother the shrimp’s flavor.
- Marinara Sauce: Often too robust and can clash with the lightness of shrimp.
- Teriyaki Sauce: Its sweetness and strong umami might overwhelm the shrimp.
- Blue Cheese Dressing: The pungent flavor can overpower the delicate taste of shrimp.
- BBQ Sauce: Typically too smoky and heavy, which can bury the shrimp’s natural flavor.
- Vindaloo Curry: Extremely hot and bold, it can completely overshadow the seafood.
- Hoisin Sauce: Its thick and sweet profile might conflict with the shrimp’s subtlety.
- Mole Sauce: Complex and deep flavors that tend to be too intense for grilled shrimp.
Looking for the best shrimp & sauce pairings? Then check out my definitive guide below:

Hello, I’m Jeremy, a sauce enthusiast and taste trailblazer! My endless pursuit of new flavors has led me on a journey to master sauce making at home, along with try out a range of exciting brands and sauce offerings. Now I share my recipes, tips and recommendations on WeWantTheSauce to help fellow foodies find the perfect sauces.