There is nothing quite like Hugo’s barbecue shrimp with bleu cheese slaw. This is an impressive and simple barbecue shrimp recipe that’ll absolutely become a family favorite.
The first time I made this recipe I swear I could have sipped the barbecue sauce. It’s that delicious!
I first heard about this now famous recipe many years ago when I was working as a private chef and culinary instructor. I was scheduled to cook for a holiday party for my good friend, Michele, and her husband Ron. When we discussed the menu, they asked me to include their favorite barbecue shrimp recipe, Hugo’s Barbecue Shrimp and Bleu Cheese Slaw.
The sauce is much simpler than I would have guessed but it works. Although, I backed off on the lemon juice because I felt the amount listed was a bit too intense for my palate. Otherwise, I followed the recipe for the sauce as written.
I also deviated from the recipe a bit by seasoning the shrimp with smoked paprika, salt and pepper. It happened to be a cold and rainy December during that time so I decided to pan sear the shrimp in ghee which gave them a deep, creamy flavor along with a hint of smokey flavor from the smoked paprika.
As if that isn’t enough, I plated them along with the bleu cheese slaw and I promise I heard angels singing the hallelujah chorus. 🙂
The sauce holds for at least three days so when I serve it for dinner guests I’ll prepare the sauce a day in advance. Then all I need to do is grill, pan cook or bake the shrimp and assemble the slaw.
I also like to serve this with warm garlic crostini or a crusty baguette for dipping into the extra sauce.
If you make this recipe let me know what you think. You’re going to love it!
Delicious Wishes and Loads of Love,
Karista
Hugo’s Barbecue Shrimp and Bleu Cheese Slaw
Notes
When the shrimp are done I usually take half the sauce and add it to the shrimp, allowing the shrimp to soak up all the flavor. Then when I plate, the shrimp are already sauced and I serve extra sauce with the platter.
This is fun set up on a platter for an appetizer or even shared entree.
Ingredients
For the barbecue sauce
- 5 ounces Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
- 5 ounces soy sauce
- Strained juice from half a lemon (I used 1/2-1 tablespoon lemon juice)
- 5 ounces tomato purée
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
For the slaw
- 1/2 cup (about 3 ounces) Maytag blue cheese (I used Rogue Creamery's Smokey Bleu Cheese)
- 1 cup good-quality mayonnaise
- Lemon juice, to taste
- 1/2 head green cabbage, shredded
- 2 scallions, sliced thin
- Freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt to taste
For the shrimp
- 36 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (I leave the tail on for easy eating)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup peanut oil (I use olive oil or coconut oil for grilling and ghee for pan cooking)
- 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (see recipe above)
- 1 to 2 scallions sliced, to garnish
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, to garnish
Instructions
- To make the barbecue sauce base, combine all the ingredients except the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Meanwhile, in another pot, bring the cream to a boil. Simmer until the cream has reduced and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Gradually stir the barbecue base into the heavy cream, stopping when you like the flavor. Bring the combined mixture back to a boil, then simmer until it coats the back of a spoon. The shrimp cook quickly, so have your sauce ready before you begin to cook them.
- To make the slaw, combine the blue cheese, mayonnaise, and lemon juice, to taste. Right before cooking the shrimp, toss the cabbage with just enough mayonnaise to coat. Add the scallions. Season with salt and pepper. Toss well.
- Season the shrimp with salt, pepper and smoked paprika. In a large sauté pan, heat the oil or ghee until smoking. Add the shrimp, being careful not to crowd. Cook until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
- To serve, place a mound of the slaw in the middle of each plate and lean six shrimp against it. Drizzle the shrimp with the barbecue sauce. Sprinkle with scallion slices and blue cheese.
We love this recipe! I usually make it at Christmas time, but I’m sure I’ll be making it in the next couple of days thanks to your tantalizing picture. Yum!!!!
We miss you, Karista!
Thank you Michele! I seem to make this all summer long. 🙂 We miss you guys too! Loads of love to you and your family! xoxo
I love shrimp, but the Bleu Cheese Slaw sounds delicious!