You’re going to flip out over this bacon wrapped shrimp recipe. I mean it has bacon, shrimp and jalapeno… how could this get any better? The perfect appetizer for any dinner party. Stick with me to learn how to make it right in your kitchen!
This bacon wrapped shrimp recipe is: Gluten Free, Paleo, Primal, Wheat Belly and Low Carb.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Roasted Jalapeno… Wowza!
A couple nights ago I went out to a Mexican restaurant with a good friend of mine. Out of that evening came two really cool recipes. The first was the Fajita Frittata, which was delicious. The next is this bacon wrapped shrimp. I’ve never seen bacon wrapped shrimp at a Mexican restaurant before. Where we were at, it was just shrimp with bacon that they then deep fried. It was served with orange slices and a spicy mayo. The orange slices were unique, but I didn’t like them with the bacon. The spicy mayo was completely unnecessary. Overall, their bacon wrapped shrimp were good, but I knew we could make them better.
For this bacon wrapped shrimp recipe, I didn’t want to fry the shrimp. I understood why the restaurant did it: they needed to fully cook the bacon. There is no other way to cook bacon fast enough without overcooking the shrimp. That is, unless you bake off the bacon first until it is just cooked but still soft. Then all that is needed is to cook the shrimp and crisp the bacon, which is actually really easy to do.
My friend John said that if he were to make these, he would maybe add in some jalapeno. I called Caroline and asked if she would pick up a couple jalapenos on the way home, which she did. After removing the seeds, they were sliced about 1/8″ thick and roasted in the oven with some olive oil, salt and pepper. When they were soft and delicious, they were put on the counter to cool so they could be handled easily. What a great flavor combination- nice work John.
Which shrimp are safe to eat?
My suggestion is to only buy shrimp from the USA. There are too many disturbing reports about shrimp from Vietnam. Check out this disturbing video of shrimp being injected with carboxymethyl cellulose, glucose and gelatin. We work hard to find Pink Gulf Shrimp with the shell and tail on.
How To Clean Shrimp to Eat
There are a couple steps for cleaning shrimp to eat:
- Step 1: Remove the head (if your shrimp came with the head on) by holding the head just above the tail with one hand. With the other hand, twist the tail off quickly.
- Step 2: Separate the shell right next to the legs by running your finger along the underside of the shell.
- Step 3: Remove the shell and legs. Keep the tail on.
- Step 4: Using a paring knife, lightly run it down the back of the shrimp.
- Step 5: Remove the vein and discard. Rinse. Repeat.
QUICK COOKING TIP: It takes a couple minutes to clean shrimp, but it is important to do. Cleaning the shrimp will not only will this result in better tasting shrimp, but the roasted jalapeno fits into the area where the vein was located really nicely!
Wow, this bacon wrapped shrimp recipe is tasty. Let’s get to it-
BACON WRAPPED SHRIMP RECIPE
Ingredients
- 12 Large Shrimp peeled and deveined. Tails are optional.
- 2 Jalapenos seeds and stems removed. Cut lengthwise into ⅛” strips.
- 12 Strips Bacon
- 3 TBSP Butter
- 2 TBSP Olive Oil
Instructions
For the Roasted Jalapenos
- Crank the oven to 375 degrees.
- Add the sliced jalapenos to an oven proof dish. Coat with olive oil, a pinch of salt and a couple grinds of pepper.
- Roast for 30 minutes or until soft. Set aside to cool.
For the Bacon
- Check out our How To Cook Bacon recipe or:
- Increase the heat to 400 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the bacon in a single layer on the sheet.
- Bake for 14-15 minutes or until the bacon is still soft.
- Remove and let cool.
Preparing the shrimp to cook
- Grab a shrimp and lay one of the strips of the roasted jalapeno down the back.
- Take a piece of bacon. Start at the opposite end from the tail. Wrap the bacon toward the tail, and then tuck the bacon in under itself.
- Place on a plate and repeat until all the shrimp are wrapped.
Cooking the bacon wrapped shrimp
- Heat a heavy bottom pan or cast iron pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the butter and olive oil.
- When the butter is foaming, add in the shrimp, but do not overcrowd the pan.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side. The bacon will crisp and the shrimp will start to curl.
- Remove when cooked and serve hot!
- Yummy.
Notes
Nutrition
Love cooking shrimp? Check out these awesome recipes:
Final Thoughts on the Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Jalapeno Recipe:
Ok. So this bacon wrapped shrimp can be used as an appetizer. A delicious appetizer. It can be put over some creamy, Southern style grits. Try it with a watercress salad, sliced avocado and lemon vinaigrette dressing. Whatever you want to use it in, it is going to be fantastic.
Just keep in mind that cooking the bacon soft enough so it is still pliable is important. No toothpicks are needed if you just fold the end under on of the previous wraps. You will then crisp up the bacon when it is being sauteed in the butter. This recipe is just so good, you have to give it a try.
If you want my soul satisfying Southern style grits recipe (I’ve been told by at least a dozen people they are the best they have ever had), drop a line in the comments and I’ll get it to you. With this bacon wrapped shrimp, it is a match made in gastronomy heaven.
Happy eating!
Also, check out the recipe post our friends over at StupidDOPE put together!
I made these again yesterday (had bacon-wrapped shrimp 3x this week:>). I put them in a taco (you Paleo’s could use a lettuce leaf) with some slaw (red onions, cilantro, shredded cabbage, lime juice, salt/pep, little avocado oil), some more roasted jalapenos, and some sliced avocado. They were awesome!! Sorry I didn’t take any pictures before I ate them all, Scott.
Wow- that sounds awesome! I’ve got to get your slaw recipe for our next Tex Mex evening. Coming up tomorrow is my EASY GUACAMOLE recipe that comes out perfect every time. Although it is Thanksgiving season, with the nice weather we have been having I’m feeling a little more feisty and ready for a fiesta!
Oh snap! These are the frickin bomb!!!!
Hi Nate:
They are the frickin bomb indeed!
Thank you for sharing.
Take care,
Scott