Quick Shrimp Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Succulent garlic butter shrimp layered with melted cheeses on golden toasted sourdough slices.

# What You Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 7 ounces raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
05 - Pinch of salt and black pepper

→ Sandwich

06 - 4 slices sourdough bread
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened for spreading
08 - 3.5 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 3.5 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
10 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Stir in chopped parsley, then remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Butter one side of each bread slice. Place two slices buttered side down on a clean work surface. Layer half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the bread, then distribute the cooked shrimp on top. Finish with the remaining cheese and place the other bread slices on top, buttered side up.
03 - Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. Optionally, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the outside of each sandwich for extra crispiness. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, gently pressing, until bread is golden brown and cheeses are melted.
04 - Remove sandwiches from the skillet and let rest for 1 minute. Slice each sandwich in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks impressive but comes together in under 30 minutes, which means you can feed someone amazing food without the stress.
  • The garlic shrimp brings elegance while the melted cheese makes everything feel comforting and indulgent at once.
  • Once you nail this version, you'll start imagining all the variations and ways to tweak it for your own kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the skillet or cook the shrimp too long—I learned this the hard way with rubbery shrimp and regret. Two to three minutes per side is the exact window before they get tough.
  • Medium-low heat is not negotiable; medium-high will burn the bread before the cheese melts, leaving you with a crunchy outside and a cold, unmelted center.
  • Pat your shrimp dry before cooking so they sear properly instead of steaming, and you'll get that slight caramelization that makes them taste restaurant-quality.
03 -
  • Shred your cheese fresh if you can; pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that interfere with how smoothly it melts, and you'll notice the difference in texture.
  • Let your softened butter sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before spreading so it goes on evenly without tearing the bread, which seems small but changes the whole toasting experience.
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