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

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 shrimp plump and juicy? ›

So we often apply a mild baking soda solution to meat before cooking it. In our Fisherman's Pie, we use the same trick on shrimp, allowing them to stay plump and juicy throughout cooking.

How long to soak shrimp in baking soda for shrimp? ›

[Optional] Shrimp and baking soda bath to make shrimp crunchy and snappy. Add shrimp to a large bowl with cold water and baking soda. Gently massage and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight. Rinse the shrimp a few times then pat dry.

Why do you put vinegar in shrimp? ›

Don't forget the secret ingredient in the boil: apple cider vinegar. It makes the shrimp easier to peel.

What is one good way to season or enhance the flavor of shrimp? ›

There are countless ways to season shrimp. For this recipe, we use a mixture of chipotle chile powder, paprika, cumin and garlic powder. It's slightly spicy, smoky and savory. Feel free to experiment with other spices, such as ancho chile powder and smoked paprika.

Why do you soak shrimp before cooking? ›

Soak shrimp in brine

Soak quickly in brine to keep lean seafood moist as it cooks and season it throughout. A solution of 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 1 quart water works to season 1 pound of seafood. Dissolve the salt in the water, and then submerge the shrimp and chill for 30 minutes.

What takes the fishy taste out of shrimp? ›

Add Lime Juice

Therefore, how to process shrimp, so they are not fishy can be done by adding lime juice which can help disguise the fishy smell. When adding the lime juice, don't forget to let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes so that the fishy smell of the shrimp completely disappears.

How do Chinese restaurants make shrimp so tender? ›

After a quick brine, the New York Times recommends another step used in Chinese dishes, a technique known as velveting. This consists of marinating the shrimp in a mixture of cornstarch and beaten egg white. The process helps insulate the proteins when cooking, leaving them tender and silky.

What does soaking shrimp in milk do? ›

Some prefer to soak seafood in milk before cooking to keep it from tasting too fishy. If you choose to soak your shrimp, you should do so with whole milk for at least 10 minutes.

How to jazz up cooked shrimp? ›

Simple garlic and butter can add a mild but tasty flavor to shrimp. Add about a spoonful or so of butter and a couple of cloves of minced garlic to your shrimp. Mix the shrimp together until they're coated in the garlic and butter and then enjoy. Serve your shrimp as a snack.

How does Paula Deen boil shrimp? ›

Add 8 cups water and crab boil seasoning to a large pot. Bring to a boil and stir in shrimp. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes, until the shrimp turn pink. Drain and serve with lemon wedges and co*cktail sauce.

Why do cooks leave the tails on shrimp? ›

Because the shells, tail included, contain water-soluble compounds that accentuate the shrimp's umami taste and aromatic compounds that lend even more tastiness to the dish, slow-boiling is more impactful than a quick sauté.

How long do you leave baking soda on shrimp? ›

You're looking for about 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda for every pound of shrimp; give it a quick toss and rest the shrimp in the fridge for anywhere from 15 minutes to about an hour.

How do Chinese tenderize shrimp? ›

Lye water is often added to noodles (for flavor, color and texture) or to rice (to soften and congeal during steaming). Baking soda is sprinkled on chicken or shrimp in a technique known as "velveting", to encourage tenderness, while also extending the cooking window from 15 seconds to a minute or more.

What is the purpose of baking soda in cooking? ›

Formally known as sodium bicarbonate, it's a white crystalline powder that is naturally alkaline, or basic (1). Baking soda becomes activated when it's combined with both an acidic ingredient and a liquid. Upon activation, carbon dioxide is produced, which allows baked goods to rise and become light and fluffy (1).

How do you get the fishy taste out of shrimp before cooking? ›

We've found an easy way to eliminate the smell: Soak the fish or the shellfish meat in milk for 20 minutes and then drain and pat dry. The casein in milk binds to the TMA, and when drained away, it takes the culprit that causes fishy odor with it. The result is seafood that's sweet smelling and clean-flavored.

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