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Shrimp Grilled Cheese

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Ultimate gourmet grilled cheese! Garlic lemon shrimp with Gruyere and mozzarella cheeses on Parmesan-crusted sourdough. Takes just 15 minutes.

Tags: #quick-recipes #seafood #cheese #air-fryer

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Clare Greco
Updated on Fri, 27 Jun 2025 07:14:19 GMT
Shrimp Grilled Cheese
Shrimp Grilled Cheese | recipesbyclare.com
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Shrimp Grilled Cheese pairs lemony garlic shrimp with Gruyere and mozzarella inside Parmesan-crusted sourdough. The filling is rich without feeling heavy: lemon zest perfumes the warm butter, lemon juice brightens the cooked shrimp, and black pepper keeps the two-cheese blend savory.

The recipe makes exactly two sandwiches. Preparation takes 5 minutes, cooking takes 10 minutes, and the listed total is 15 minutes. You can use the air-fryer method or cook the sandwiches in a skillet; both routes preserve the same measured ingredients.

Shrimp Grilled Cheese Ingredients

Sourdough, cooked shrimp, lemon, garlic, butter, olive oil, Gruyere, mozzarella, Parmesan, and black pepper for two grilled cheese sandwiches
Sourdough, cooked shrimp, lemon, garlic, butter, olive oil, Gruyere, mozzarella, Parmesan, and black pepper for two grilled cheese sandwiches | Recipes by Clare
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For the garlic shrimp, use 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 6 ounces cooked cocktail shrimp, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

Combine ¾ cup shredded Gruyere, ¾ cup shredded mozzarella, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper for the cheese layer. Complete the sandwiches with exactly 4 slices sourdough bread, 2 tablespoons softened butter, and 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan.

If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Broccoli Cheese Casserole.

How to Make Shrimp Grilled Cheese

Four stages showing garlic butter, lemon shrimp, sandwich assembly, and two golden shrimp grilled cheese sandwiches
Four stages showing garlic butter, lemon shrimp, sandwich assembly, and two golden shrimp grilled cheese sandwiches | Recipes by Clare
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  1. Warm the olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Cook the garlic for 1 minute, then add the lemon zest and cook 1 minute more.
  2. Add the cooked cocktail shrimp and warm for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the lemon juice, and let the mixture cool slightly.
  3. Mix Gruyere, mozzarella, and black pepper. Butter the outside faces of all 4 bread slices and press the Parmesan onto those buttered surfaces.
  4. Divide the cheese and shrimp between two sandwiches. For an air fryer, preheat to 400°F for 5 minutes, cook 3 minutes, flip, and cook 2 minutes more. For a skillet, cook 3–4 minutes per side.
  5. Rest for 1–2 minutes before serving.

For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.

Build Flavor in the Garlic Butter

Warm the Cooked Shrimp Gently

Mix the Two Cheeses Evenly

Prepare a Parmesan Crust

Assemble Two Balanced Sandwiches

Use the Air-Fryer Method

Or Cook on the Stovetop

Rest Before Cutting

Finished shrimp grilled cheese with crisp sourdough and melted cheese
Finished shrimp grilled cheese with crisp sourdough and melted cheese | recipesbyclare.com
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Plan the Timing Efficiently

Avoid Common Grilled-Cheese Problems

Conclusion

Cook one minced garlic clove for 1 minute in olive oil and butter, add lemon zest for 1 minute, then warm 6 ounces cooked shrimp for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add lemon juice, and cool slightly. Mix Gruyere, mozzarella, and pepper. Butter four sourdough slices, press Parmesan onto the outsides, and build two sandwiches. Air-fry after a 5-minute 400°F preheat for 3 minutes, flip, and cook 2 minutes, or skillet-cook 3–4 minutes per side. Rest 1–2 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Does this recipe use raw or cooked shrimp?

Use 6 ounces of cooked cocktail shrimp. They are warmed for only 2 minutes in the garlic-lemon butter.

→ How many sandwiches does the recipe make?

It makes exactly two shrimp grilled cheese sandwiches from four sourdough slices.

→ What temperature should I use in the air fryer?

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes, cook the sandwiches for 3 minutes, flip, and cook 2 minutes more.

→ Can I make the sandwiches in a skillet?

Yes. Cook them over controlled heat for 3–4 minutes per side until crisp and melted.

4.80 from 156 votes

Shrimp Grilled Cheese

Preparation Time:
5 Minutes
Cook Time:
10 Minutes
Total Cooking Time:
15 Minutes
Number of Servings:
2
Shrimp Grilled Cheese
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Gourmet grilled cheese elevated! Garlic lemon shrimp with Gruyere and mozzarella on Parmesan-crusted sourdough bread.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • Garlic Lemon Shrimp

  • Cheese Mixture

  • Bread and Topping

How to Make It

1.

1. Prepare Garlic Butter: Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in lemon zest and cook for another minute.

2.

2. Warm the Shrimp: Add the cooked shrimp to the garlic butter mixture and cook just until heated through, about 2 minutes. Don't overcook or the shrimp will become tough.

3.

3. Cool and Season: Transfer shrimp mixture to a bowl and drizzle with lemon juice. Let cool while you grate the cheeses. This prevents the cheese from melting prematurely.

4.

4. Make Filling: Stir the grated Gruyere, mozzarella, and black pepper into the cooled shrimp mixture until well combined.

5.

5. Prepare Bread: Spread softened butter on one side of each bread slice. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the butter and lightly press down so it sticks to create a crispy, flavorful crust.

6.

6. Assemble Sandwiches: Place two slices butter-side down and top each with half of the shrimp and cheese mixture. Top with remaining bread slices, butter-side up.

7.

7. Cook Air Fryer Method: Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Place sandwiches in basket and cook 3 minutes, flip, then cook 2 more minutes until golden and cheese is melted.

8.

8. Cook Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook sandwiches until bottom is golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook until second side is golden and cheese is fully melted.

9.

9. Serve Immediately: Remove from heat and let cool for 1-2 minutes before cutting. Serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey and the bread is crispy.

Extra Information

  1. You can use larger shrimp if preferred - just cook until pink and opaque
  2. Add white wine to the shrimp for extra scampi flavor
  3. The Parmesan on the outside creates an amazing crispy crust

Essential Tools

  • Small skillet
  • Air fryer or large non-stick skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Cheese grater

Allergy Warnings

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains shellfish from shrimp
  • Contains gluten from sourdough bread
  • Contains dairy from multiple cheeses and butter

Nutrition Details (Per Portion)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 1056
  • Total Fat: 57 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 75 g
  • Protein: 60 g