47 Quick-Cooking Shrimp Recipes That Are Shrimp-ly Irresistible (2024)

We shrimp-ly can't get enough shrimp.

By Camille Lowder and Mackenzie Filson
47 Quick-Cooking Shrimp Recipes That Are Shrimp-ly Irresistible (1)

Forgive our pun, but shrimp is shrimp-ly... the best, especially at dinnertime. They cook SO fast, are super-convenient (you can swap in frozen for pretty much any of these recipes!), and fit into so many recipes, from fancy side dishes and special occasion romantic meals to party appetizers and casual weeknight dinners. No matter if you're a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned pro, shrimp is about to be your favorite protein. We’ve rounded up 47 shrimp recipes to inspire you—we bet you’ll fall in love with the little pink crustacean as much as we have.

One of the greatest things about shrimp is how easily it can be swapped for other proteins (particularly if you’re low on time and want a quick shortcut). Love chicken and rice? Swap shrimp in instead, like in our simply named shrimp and rice, our , or our jambalaya. Big fan of pasta? Try our one-pot shrimp primavera, our shrimp fettuccine Alfredo, or our creamy chipotle shrimp pasta. Love Asian food? Shrimp makes a great addition to all your faves, like in our shrimp kung pao noodles, our shrimp pad Thai, or our honey walnut shrimp. Need something a little handheld for an on-the-go meal? Make a shrimp sandwich or tacos, like our grilled shrimp tacos with sriracha slaw, our shrimp po’ boy, or our cilantro-lime shrimp tacos. Trust us, there’s almost no recipe that’s not improved by swapping in or adding a little shrimp.

Want more seafood inspiration? Check out our favorite salmon recipes, our top grilled seafood recipes, and our top fish recipes too. If you, like us, can't get enough shrimp, check out all our favorite shrimp appetizers and shrimp pasta recipes next!

1

Shrimp Scampi

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Shrimp scampi is an Italian-American dish that is usually made using plump, pink shrimp served over a heaping bowl of pasta. We think the pasta detracts from the delectable simplicity of this dish, so we made it without, but feel free to add some if you like!

Get the Classic Shrimp Scampi recipe.

2

Pad Thai

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An easy alternative to takeout, our simplified pad Thai recipe is designed to satisfy noodle cravings fast. We skipped some traditional ingredients (such as dried shrimp, tamarind, pressed tofu, and bean sprouts), opting for ingredients that you can pick up at your local grocery store. Skip the delivery and make it tonight!

Get the Pad Thai recipe.

3

Garlic Butter Shrimp & Asparagus

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Having a few quick, easy, and delicious recipes in your repertoire is the key to weeknight dinner success. Similar to our lemon garlic butter shrimp, but with an extra-springy vegetable addition, this garlic butter shrimp & asparagus is one of those recipes.

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4

Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo

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You might be wondering why we call for shrimps with the tails on for this Louisiana classic. Though it won’t make or break your gumbo, shrimp shells have SO much flavor, so we always prefer to keep them on.

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5

Shrimp Ceviche

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Traditionally, the acid in the citrus juice changes the shrimp’s protein structure so that it firms up and becomes opaque, similarly to the way it would if it was poached. People have been preparing and eating shrimp ceviche like this for years, but if you're worried about it, we've provided alternate instructions for cooking it here too.

Get the Shrimp Ceviche recipe.

6

Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Wraps

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"Cilantro lime" is a flavor profile we never get over: It's got a kick from cumin, the tang from lime juice, and fresh zing from cilantro. You can let this shrimp recipe marinate for about 20 minutes to let the flavors meld, or don't—it'll be great no matter what.

Get the Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Wraps recipe.

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7

Best Jambalaya

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Spicy, hearty, and incredibly flavorful, jambalaya is a New Orleans classic for good reason. Its complex flavor is informed by cuisines from around the world—Spanish, West African, and French to name a few. Our recipe combines three proteins and vegetable-packed rice for a flavor-packed dish that will warm you up all year long.

Get the Best Jambalaya recipe.

8

Shrimp Stew

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Shrimp Stew is a Cajun dish from Louisiana. This quick one-pot dinner is flavored with Cajun seasoning, packed with green bell pepper and fennel, and has a garlic-infused tomato broth. Be sure to serve it with a New Orleans-inspired co*cktail like a Hurricane or a Cherry Sazerac!

Get the Shrimp Stew recipe.

9

Crispy Honey Chipotle Shrimp

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We love making shrimp when we want an easy and quick dinner, but this crispy honey chipotle shrimp gives easy and delicious weeknight dinner a whole new meaning. The crispy breaded shrimp is coated in a sweet, spicy and tangy sauce that is the real star of the show. Whatever you do, don't forget the lime wedges!

Get the Crispy Honey Chipotle Shrimp recipe.

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10

Shrimp and Grits

There's a lot of richness going on here. Bacon! Butter! Cheese! To cut all the fat, you need some acid. Enter: fresh lemon juice. It brightens these bowl up BIG TIME—so don't skip it.

Get the Shrimp and Grits recipe.

11

Vietnamese-Cajun Shrimp Boil

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In Houston—neighbor to New Orleans and home to one of the largest Vietnamese diasporas in the world—they add a little flair to the traditional boil, birthing Vietnamese-Cajun cuisine.

Get the Vietnamese-Cajun Shrimp Boil recipe.

12

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi

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Classic shrimp scampi is one of our favorite Italian American dishes. What could possibly beat plump shrimp spiked with garlic and lemon over pasta? How about all of that tossed in a Parmesan cream sauce. This Cheesecake Factory staple is a seafood lover’s dream!

Get the Copycat Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi recipe.

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13

Classic Paella

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This Spanish dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleasing centerpiece for special occasions and parties, but honestly, this dish is enough reason to celebrate all on its own. With its beautiful and impactful presentation, we wouldn’t be surprised if a few tears are shed when you serve it.

Get the Classic Paella recipe.

14

One-Pot Shrimp Primavera

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This loaded fettuccine makes it so easy for you (and your family!) to eat your vegetables. We love adding quick-cooking shrimp to the pot for protein once the pasta is almost al dente.

Get the One-Pot Shrimp Primavera recipe.

15

Shrimp Mango Salad

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Like most salads, this one is ripe for improvisation. Raw, thinly sliced Napa cabbage is exceptionally crunchy and sweet, but sliced romaine is a perfectly good replacement. (If you want to add in some additional crunch, go with thinly sliced endive.) Chopped toasted peanuts are a crucial final addition, but can be replaced with toasted sunflower or sesame seeds for a similar effect.

Get the Shrimp Mango Salad recipe.

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16

Shrimp and Rice

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This particular easy recipe is packed with smart cooking know-how. Rather than just topping plain rice with sautéed shrimp, you'll instead build flavor in the pan before steaming the rice. This means first cooking the aromatics in butter, then toasting the rice in the skillet, and cooking the rice in a combination of white wine and chicken broth rather than plain water. 😍

Get the Shrimp and Rice recipe.

17

Shrimp Tempura Roll

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Get out your chopsticks, pour a few dishes of soy sauce, set a bowl of seaweed salad on the table—it's time for sushi night at home. The starring dish is shrimp tempura roll, which is stuffed with avocado and battered jumbo shrimp that are fried until crisp perfection.

Get the Shrimp Tempura Roll recipe.

18

Blackened Shrimp Bowls

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If you're looking for summer in a bowl, turn to these blackened shrimp bowls. Not only delicious, these bowls are also a filling powerhouse. It's also the perfect meal-prep meal: Make all the ingredients ahead of time, then prepare your bowls as you please throughout the week!

Get the Blackened Shrimp Bowls recipe.

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19

Grilled Shrimp Foil Packets

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We love a good shrimp boil, but sometimes we don't have time for the production. Foil packs turn a shrimp boil into individual parties that are so fun to throw onto the grill! It's everything you love with way less work.

Get the Grilled Shrimp Foil Packets recipe.

20

Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

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These lettuce wraps are way cleaner than your average Buffalo wings, making them the perfect low-carb lunch. They super-flavorful, fresh, and ready in under an hour!

Get the Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps recipe.

47 Quick-Cooking Shrimp Recipes That Are Shrimp-ly Irresistible (2024)

FAQs

How do you get the most flavor out of shrimp? ›

You need plenty of seasoning on top of the olive oil and butter. I add plenty of salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, lemon juice etc. Shrimp have a mild flavor so they take on whatever flavor you're serving them with. I also love using a seafood seasoning that has everything listed above plus more!!

What is the absolute best way to cook shrimp according to so many tests? ›

  1. Add 1 quart of water and the salt to a large pot over high heat. Bring to a boil.
  2. Stir in the shrimp, cover, and remove the pot from heat. Let sit for 5 to 8 minutes, until all the shrimp are cooked through to a bright pink shade.
  3. Drain through a colander. Transfer the shrimp to a serving bowl or platter.
Jan 1, 2022

How to cook the juiciest shrimp? ›

large peeled deveined shrimp with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil to the pan, then arrange shrimp in a single layer on the bottom of the skillet. Cook without moving for 2 minutes for medium shrimp, 3 minutes for large shrimp, or 4 minutes for jumbo shrimp.

How to cook shrimp like a restaurant? ›

  1. Heat the oven to 450°F.
  2. On a half sheet pan, toss the shrimp, salt, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  3. Roast for 7 to 9 minutes, until pink and just cooked through. Remove from the oven, add the butter, and toss the shrimp until coated. Spritz with fresh lemon juice.
Dec 10, 2021

Why add baking soda to shrimp before cooking? ›

Alkaline baking soda slightly alters the pH of the shrimp, making them as plump and succulent as lobster and resistant to overcooking. The brine also causes the meat to pull away from the shells while cooking, so you get all the great flavor of shell-on shrimp without the hassle.

How do you make frozen shrimp taste better? ›

Add salt, pepper, lemon wedges, Old Bay seasoning, and bay leaves to the water and stir. Add thawed shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp turns gray to pink. Turn the heat off, and transfer the shrimp into an ice bath to stop the cooking.

What does baking soda and salt do to shrimp? ›

It may sound minor, but the combination works wonders: the salt helps keep the shrimp nice and moist as they cook, while alkaline baking soda delivers a crisp, firm texture.

What does vinegar do when cooking shrimp? ›

Day Dream Kitchen explains that vinegar helps to loosen the attachment between the shell and the meat of the shrimp. They claim it is not 100 % effective, but it does help. Vinegar also helps to add flavor to the shrimp. Live Strong says that adding vinegar enhances the taste of shrimp, and Black Tail NYC agrees.

What do you soak shrimp in before cooking? ›

A simple mixture of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and your favorite herbs can do wonders. Let them soak in the marinade for at least 15-30 minutes before cooking and enjoy the most scrumptious sautéed shrimp.

How to cook shrimp so it's not rubbery? ›

Longer cooking will just make them tough and rubbery. Also - Precooked frozen shrimp don't need to be “cooked". They just need to be thawed and warmed up. If you're adding them to a recipe, just thrown them in at the last minute of the cooking time for the rest of the ingredients and the heat will warm them through.

What tenderizes shrimp? ›

Full-fat yogurt is the secret ingredient for flavorful grilled shrimp. The acidity of the yogurt gently tenderizes the shrimp before grilling and is an efficient vehicle for seasoning it with fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon juice. On the grill, the fat from the yogurt protects the shrimp from drying out.

What not to do when cooking shrimp? ›

  1. Mistake #1: Buying Shrimp With the Heads Still On.
  2. Mistake #2: Not Deveining Your Shrimp.
  3. Mistake #3: Thawing Improperly.
  4. Mistake #4: Overcooking.
  5. Mistake #5: Throwing Away the Shells.

What is a popular cooking method for shrimp? ›

Sautéing. Shrimp cook quickly, so they are a great option for weeknight meals. Sautéing, or pan-frying, is a simple way to prepare shrimp for a variety of meals, from tacos and salads to pasta dishes and more. All you'll need is a light type of oil, such as olive oil and a heavy-duty skillet.

What makes shrimp taste good? ›

These savory little crustaceans taste best with seasoning that complements their unique umami flavor. The top three spice blends for shrimp are garlic butter, Old Bay Seasoning, and blackened seasoning, and they are easy to make at home!

Why does my shrimp have no flavor? ›

Neglecting to marinate when making sautéed shrimp can result in a bland and awful taste. This happens as your shrimp does not get enough time to soak in any flavor. Hence, always marinate your shrimp before cooking to infuse them with flavor.

What shrimp have the most flavor? ›

Colossal shrimp are known for their strong and succulent flavor. The flavor profile of colossal shrimp paired with their large size makes them one of the best sizes of shrimp to grill and sear.

Does cooking shrimp with shell on give more flavor? ›

Like the flesh, the shells contain healthy amounts of glutamates and nucleotides, compounds that dramatically enhance savory umami flavor when present together in food. These compounds also get transferred to the meat during cooking, amplifying the effect of the glutamates and nucleotides in the shrimp's flesh.

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