Grilled Ginger Shrimp BBQ Flatbread Recipe
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What’s Up, Hungry People
It’s officially grilling season! Well, almost. Time to break in the grill with this incredibly delicious barbecued shrimp flatbread. Cooked directly on the grill, this flatbread pizza is topped with homemade BBQ sauce and ginger-marinated shrimp, plus a few fresh veggies like red peppers and broccoli.
Yes, there is broccoli on this pizza, and it’s flippin’ delicious!
The grill adds an amazing char to the flatbread. But if you don’t have an outdoor grill handy, you can totally make this dish on a pizza stone or on a sheet pan in your indoor oven instead.
Here’s What You Need
- BBQ sauce: Adds a smoky, tangy flavor base.
- Ginger, minced: Provides a spicy, aromatic kick.
- Parsley: Adds freshness and color.
- Honey: Sweetens and balances the sauce.
- Olive oil: Helps blend the sauce and marinade, adding richness.
- Shrimp: The main protein, absorbing all the delicious marinade flavors.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor without the hassle of chopping.
- Onion powder: Gives a mild onion flavor.
- Butter, melted: Adds richness and helps with cooking veggies.
- Sesame seeds: Adds a bit of crunch and nuttiness.
- Red bell pepper, sliced: Adds sweetness and a bit of crunch.
- Onion, sliced: Adds a savory note and some texture.
- Ricotta cheese: Adds creaminess to balance the tangy BBQ sauce.
- Lemon juice: Brightens up the ricotta mixture.
- Broccoli florets: Adds a healthy, crunchy element.
- Pizza dough / flatbread dough: The base for all the toppings.
- Mozzarella, shredded: Melts beautifully, adding gooey goodness.
- Olive oil for drizzling: Adds a finishing touch of richness.
- Balsamic vinegar for drizzling: Adds a tangy, sweet finishing touch.
Let’s Cook
First, let’s get those shrimp soaking up all the flavors. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, melted butter, parsley, and sesame seeds. Separate about half a cup of this mixture into another bowl and set it aside. Pour the rest over your shrimp, making sure they’re well-coated. Let them marinate for at least an hour, but if you have the patience, let them sit overnight in the fridge.
Prepare the Ricotta
While the shrimp are marinating, let’s whip up the ricotta mixture. In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese and lemon juice until smooth. Pop it in the fridge to chill.
Make the BBQ Sauce
Next up, the BBQ sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, minced ginger, parsley, honey, and olive oil. Let this mixture chill for about an hour to really develop the flavors.
Sauté the Veggies
Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Melt some butter until it’s frothy, then toss in the sliced red bell pepper and onion. Sauté these until they’re tender, about 5 minutes. Set them aside, and in the same skillet, give the broccoli florets a quick flash sauté for 1-2 minutes until they’re bright green and slightly tender.
Preheat the Grill
Now, it’s grill time. Preheat your grill to 425°F. While it’s heating up, unroll your flatbread dough onto a pizza peel. Brush one side with melted butter and the reserved shrimp marinade, then flip it so the buttered side is down.
Assemble the Flatbread
Working quickly, brush the top of the flatbread with the BBQ sauce, adding a bit of the reserved marinade as well. Drop dollops of the ricotta mixture evenly across the dough. Scatter the raw marinated shrimp and sautéed veggies over the top, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.
Grill the Flatbread
Carefully transfer the flatbread to the grill by sliding it off the pizza peel. Close the grill and let it cook for about 3-8 minutes. You want the flatbread to puff up and the shrimp to cook through. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Finishing Touches
Once the flatbread is done, use tongs to transfer it to a clean pizza peel or a heatproof cutting board. Drizzle with olive oil and a bit of balsamic vinegar, if you like. Slice it up and serve warm.
Tips for Perfect Grilled Shrimp Flatbread
- Marinate Overnight for Maximum Flavor: If you have the time, let the shrimp marinate overnight. The longer they soak, the more flavorful they’ll be.
- Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh shrimp will give you the best texture and flavor. If you’re using frozen shrimp, make sure they’re fully thawed before marinating.
- Control Your Grill’s Heat: Keep a close eye on the flatbread while it’s on the grill. It can go from perfectly charred to burnt quickly.
- Vegetable Prep: Don’t overcook the veggies during the initial sauté. They’ll cook a bit more on the grill, so a quick flash sauté is all they need.
- Indoor Cooking: If using an oven, preheat to 425°F and bake the flatbread on a pizza stone or baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked and the cheese is bubbly.
So, there you have it, Hungry People! This grilled ginger shrimp BBQ flatbread is the perfect way to kick off grilling season. The char from the grill, combined with the tangy BBQ sauce and ginger-marinated shrimp, makes for an irresistible combination. And don’t forget those veggies—they add just the right amount of crunch and freshness. Whether you’re a grilling pro or a kitchen novice, this flatbread is a tasty way to mix things up. Grab your ingredients, fire up the grill, and enjoy every bite!
Grilled Ginger Shrimp BBQ Flatbread
Equipment
Ingredients
FOR SAUCE:
FOR SHRIMP MARINADE:
- 16 oz shrimp
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
FOR PIZZA & TOPPINGS:
- ¼ cup red bell pepper
- ¼ cup onion sliced
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 8 oz broccoli florets
- 1 can pizza dough / flatbread dough or homemade flatbread dough equivalent
- ½ cup mozzarella shredded
- ½ cup butter melted
- 3 tablespoon olive oil for drizzling
- balsamic vinegar for drizzling
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the shrimp marinade. Separate about a half cup into a small bowl and set aside. Pour the remaining marinade over the shrimp and marinate for at least one hour or overnight.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ricotta and lemon juice. Set aside to chill.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, ginger, parsley, honey, and olive oil. Chill for one hour to develop flavor.
- Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter until frothy, then sauté the red bell pepper and onion until tender, about 5 minutes. Set aside. In the same skillet, flash sauté the broccoli for 1-2 minutes in the remaining butter until it has brightened in color.
- Preheat the grill to 425°F. Unroll the flatbread dough onto a pizza peel and brush with melted butter and the reserved marinade. Flip the flatbread so that it is butter side down.
- Working quickly, brush the flatbread dough with the BBQ sauce, remaining reserved marinade, dollops of the ricotta cheese, raw shrimp, and the sautéed veggies. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on top.
- Carefully transfer the flatbread to the grill by sliding the dough from the pizza peel.
- Close the grill and cook for 3-8 minutes, until the flatbread is puffed up and the shrimp is cooked on top. Use tongs to carefully transfer the cooked pizza to a clean pizza peel or heatproof cutting board.
- Drizzle the cooked flatbread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, as desired. Cut and serve warm. Enjoy!