Prepare to elevate your appetizer game with these incredibly delicious Crispy Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, generously drizzled with a rich, sticky honey garlic glaze. This dish is not just an appetizer; it’s a showstopper, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that embodies the perfect balance of juicy, smoky, and perfectly crisp textures, all finished with an unforgettable sweet-and-savory sauce. Despite its gourmet appeal, this bacon wrapped shrimp recipe is surprisingly quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for any special occasion, from elegant dinner parties to casual gatherings, yet always feeling remarkably restaurant-worthy.

Each succulent shrimp is lovingly embraced by a strip of salty, golden bacon, then baked to irresistible crispness in the oven. The magic truly happens with the glaze—a tantalizing blend of honey and garlic, with hints of tangy barbecue and umami-rich soy, that creates a sticky, flavorful coating. Whether you’re planning to make a large platter of bacon wrapped shrimp in the oven for a party, or simply treating yourself and a loved one to something truly special, these delectable bites are sure to disappear in minutes. Once you discover the simple art of how to make bacon wrapped shrimp, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe again and again, eager to share its incredible flavor with everyone.

The Culinary Magic: What Makes Bacon Wrapped Shrimp So Irresistible?

The allure of Bacon Wrapped Shrimp lies in its ingenious combination of contrasting yet complementary flavors and textures. This dish isn’t just about wrapping two ingredients together; it’s about a culinary synergy that transforms simple components into an extraordinary experience.

The smoky, fatty bacon, when rendered to a perfect crisp, serves multiple purposes. It encases and protects the delicate shrimp, effectively basting it in its own delicious juices as it cooks, ensuring each bite of shrimp remains incredibly juicy and tender. Simultaneously, the bacon itself crisps up, creating a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the succulent seafood. This interaction prevents the shrimp from drying out, a common pitfall in seafood cooking, while imparting a rich, savory depth that only bacon can provide.

Then there’s the sticky honey garlic sauce – the true star that brings all the elements together. This luscious glaze adds just the right mix of sweet and savory notes, with a subtle tang from the barbecue sauce, and aromatic depth from garlic and ginger. As it bakes, the glaze caramelizes slightly, forming an irresistible coating that clings to every piece of shrimp and bacon, enhancing their natural flavors and adding a glossy, appetizing finish.

Furthermore, baking these bacon wrapped shrimp in the oven is key to achieving consistent results. This method ensures even cooking, allowing the bacon to crisp beautifully on all sides without burning, while the shrimp cooks through perfectly. It also offers the significant advantage of easy cleanup, making it the perfect approach for preparing a generous platter of these delectable bites for any occasion, without the mess and fuss associated with frying.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

With just a handful of pantry staples and fresh, high-quality shrimp, you can effortlessly whip up this irresistible bacon wrapped shrimp recipe in no time. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors and perfect textures that make this dish so special:

• Jumbo Shrimp: Opt for large, meaty shrimp (often labeled 21/25 count or larger). These larger shrimp are ideal because they hold up beautifully during the cooking process, remaining incredibly juicy and tender inside their crispy bacon wrap. Fresh shrimp offer the best texture and flavor, but high-quality thawed frozen shrimp work perfectly well too, just ensure they are thoroughly patted dry before use. Peeled and deveined, with tails intact, are generally preferred for ease of eating and an elegant presentation.
• Bacon: The type of bacon is critical for success. Thin slices are absolutely best for wrapping. They crisp up quickly and evenly without overcooking the delicate shrimp. Avoid thick-cut bacon, which tends to take too long to crisp, potentially leading to tough shrimp. The salty, smoky flavor of the bacon infuses into the shrimp, creating a harmonious blend.
• Honey: This natural sweetener is essential for the glaze. It contributes a lovely golden hue and a subtle, balanced sweetness that perfectly counteracts the smoky bacon and savory sauce. Honey also helps create that desirable sticky texture in the glaze as it caramelizes in the oven.
• Barbecue Sauce: A good quality barbecue sauce forms the tangy, smoky base of our irresistible glaze. It brings a depth of flavor that is both familiar and exciting, adding a complex layer to every bite of the bacon wrapped shrimp. Choose your favorite brand for a personalized touch, or experiment with different flavor profiles like sweet and spicy or smoky and rich.
• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: This provides a vital umami boost and a touch of saltiness to the glaze, balancing the sweetness of the honey and the richness of the barbecue sauce. Using low-sodium ensures you can control the overall saltiness of the dish.
• Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the entire glaze, cutting through the richness of the bacon and adding a fresh, zesty finish that truly lifts the flavors.
• Minced Garlic & Ginger: These aromatic powerhouses are non-negotiable for the sticky honey garlic glaze. Freshly minced garlic delivers a pungent, savory kick, while ginger adds a warm, spicy, and fragrant note, creating a truly aromatic experience.
• Sesame Oil: A tiny dash of sesame oil lends a wonderful nutty aroma and a subtle depth to the glaze, tying together the Asian-inspired elements of the sauce.
• Salt & Cracked Pepper: Basic seasonings are crucial for enhancing the natural flavors of both the shrimp and the bacon. Adjust to your taste preferences.

Note: Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this article for precise measurements and a complete list of ingredients.

How To Craft Perfect Crispy Bacon Wrapped Shrimp: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these sensational bacon wrapped shrimp is much simpler than you might imagine. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly cooked, deliciously glazed appetizers every time.

1. Prep the Oven: Begin by adjusting your oven rack to the top third position, which is just above halfway. This placement is crucial for achieving crispy bacon under the broiler. Preheat your oven to a broil (or grill) setting on medium-high heat, typically around 400°F (200°C). This high, direct heat is what will render the bacon perfectly crisp and cook the shrimp quickly.

2. Make the Sauce: In a shallow bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, low-sodium soy sauce, honey, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, a touch of sesame oil, and finely minced ginger. Whisk all these ingredients together vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined. This is your flavorful, sticky glaze that will transform the shrimp and bacon.

3. Reserve for Serving: Carefully pour about half of the freshly made sauce into a separate small bowl. Cover this reserved portion and place it in the refrigerator. This will be used as a fresh, flavorful finishing glaze for serving later, ensuring a vibrant taste and preventing cross-contamination from the raw shrimp marinade.

4. Marinate Shrimp: Add the peeled, deveined, and thoroughly patted dry jumbo shrimp to the remaining sauce in the shallow bowl. Season the shrimp lightly with salt and freshly cracked pepper. Toss gently to ensure all shrimp are evenly coated. Allow the shrimp to marinate for about 10 minutes if time permits; this brief soak will infuse them with a wonderful depth of flavor from the glaze.

5. Prepare the Bacon: Take your thin-sliced bacon and carefully slice each strip in half lengthwise. This step is important because it ensures the bacon piece is thin enough to wrap snugly around a jumbo shrimp without overwhelming it, allowing both ingredients to cook evenly and crisp up simultaneously.

6. Wrap the Shrimp: Take one marinated shrimp and firmly wrap one of the lengthwise-sliced bacon strips around its body. Ensure the bacon is snug. If needed, you can secure the ends of the bacon with a toothpick, especially if your bacon is particularly slippery or the shrimp are small. Repeat this process until all of your delicious shrimp are perfectly wrapped and ready for cooking.

7. Broil Until Crispy: Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup, and optionally place a wire rack on top to allow fat to drip and promote crispness. Arrange the bacon wrapped shrimp in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring there’s a little space between each piece for even cooking. Broil for approximately 8 minutes, or until the bacon is visibly crispy and sizzling, and the shrimp begins to turn pink. Carefully flip each shrimp over and broil for another 2 minutes, or until the shrimp are fully cooked through and opaque, and the bacon is golden brown and perfectly crisp on all sides. Watch carefully to prevent burning, as broilers can vary greatly in intensity.

8. Serve and Enjoy: Once the bacon wrapped shrimp are cooked to perfection, transfer them to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the reserved, fresh honey garlic sauce. Serve these hot and immediately to enjoy their crispiness and juicy interior. For an exquisite pairing, try serving them alongside a fresh, creamy guacamole. The cool, rich avocado provides a wonderful textural and flavor contrast to the warm, salty, and sweet shrimp.

These smoky, juicy bites are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes. For a harmonious main course, consider serving them alongside Roasted Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs, creating a cohesive, flavorful, and umami-packed meal. If you’re aiming for a fun and varied appetizer spread, add some Easy Japanese Chicken Yakitori; these skewered chicken pieces complement the shrimp’s savory-sweet glaze beautifully. For those craving something hearty and indulgent, Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Parmesan offers cheesy comfort that makes for a satisfying contrast to the lighter shrimp appetizer.