The Sweet Glaze Your BBQ Shrimp Has Been Missing Is Hiding In The Condiment Aisle

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Grilling shrimp at a rockin' BBQ is a solid move, since many folks enjoy smoky, charred seafood. Shrimp on the barbie is pretty foolproof in terms of pleasing a crowd, but flavor can be a real issue if you don't have a plan for perking up your prawns. We've discussed how long to marinate shrimp for flavor, but a sweet and delicious glaze for your BBQ shrimp is also in order. A particularly good one has been hiding in plain sight among the jams and jellies of your supermarket's condiment aisle. The jar you seek is orange marmalade.

It's one thing to avoid cooking time mistakes when it comes to shrimp, but knowing how to finish strong is an oft-overlooked skill. All you need to do is whip up a simple glaze of orange marmalade while your shrimp are grilling — have a trusted loved one stirring it on the stove as you mind the flames. Wait until the glaze is molten and the shrimp are fresh off the heat, then use a brush and paint those shrimpies with a generous coating of marmalade. 

More complex than other spreads thanks to the bittersweet qualities of orange peel, marmalade is an ideal companion to the delicate taste of BBQ shrimp. We know how to grill shrimp with the shells on, but keep in mind that, to enjoy this glaze, you'll want to apply it to ready-to-eat shrimp with the shells removed. Ideally, this shrimp evokes all your favorite elements of orange chicken from Chinese takeout while staying lighter and easier to cook.

Simply brushing orange marmalade onto your grilled shrimp will work out delightfully as long as it has been liquified by heating a bit, but if you have more time and resources, you can stir one (or more!) of several additional components to unlock a major depth of flavor. More fruit, of course, can only make the party sweeter, like pineapple juice or mango chutney stirred into your pan. Feel free to booze up your glaze with the addition of a complementary spirit, like Grand Marnier, bourbon, or whiskey. Cook the sauce down for a bit to reduce the alcohol in the mix, or if your guests are all adults, embrace the hooch! We love a bit of fresh ginger in the marmalade for spice and mature character as well.

Dijon mustard is another pantry ingredient that adds a little somethin' somethin' to an orange glaze ... think of it as a more grown-up spin on honey mustard. Speaking of honey, orange blossom honey is, of course, another great ingredient to consider, whether in your marmalade solo or in conjunction with any of the other elements we've mentioned. This bottle by Bee Harmony is sourced from California and Florida and has lots of positive reviews. Finally, keep in mind that you don't want to actually grill your marmalade at all, as the sugars will burn on the high heat. A good glaze is added as a last-minute chef's kiss grace note that makes the dish sing.