If you got a chance to try Red Lobster's famous bacon-wrapped shrimp while they still had it on the menu, you're one of the lucky ones! If you missed out, well, here's your chance to this delicious appetizer a try!
These Copycat Red Lobster Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp are the perfect thing to serve at your next get-together. I mean, who doesn't love anything that's seasoned to perfection and wrapped in bacon?! You won't be able to get enough of these - double up the recipe if you're planning to share!
Ingredients:
For the seasoning:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 10 pieces bacon
- 10 large shrimp
- 6 slices fresh jalapeno
- 2 ounces Monterey Jack cheese
Directions:
- Preheat oven to broil.
- Make the seasoning blend by combining the ingredients in a small bowl, then set aside.
- Cook the bacon in a frying pan over medium/high heat, but don't cook it all the way, make sure it is a little undercooked and pliable. Drain on paper towels once done.
- Shell the shrimp, leaving the last segment of the shell and the tail. Devein the shrimp, then cut down into the back of the shrimp, without cutting all the way through, so that the shrimp is nearly butterflied open (this is to make a pocket for the fillings).
- Assemble the appetizer by cutting the jalapeño slices in half and removing the seeds. Place one slice into the slit on the back of each shrimp. Cut an inch-long chunk of cheese (about 1/4 inch thick), and place it on the jalapeño slice.
- Wrap a piece of bacon around the shrimp, starting where the cheese is. Start wrapping the thinnest end of the bacon going around the shrimp, then cut off any excess bacon and slide a toothpick through, starting with the end where the cheese is and piercing the cut end of the bacon on the other side.
- Repeat with the remaining shrimp, placing onto a baking sheet or broiler pan. Sprinkle a very light coating of the seasoning blend over each shrimp, then broil for 3 to 4 minutes or until the bacon begins to brown and the cheese begins to melt.