45 Easy Shrimp Recipes

These shrimp recipes make fast and healthy meals! Here are my favorite easy shrimp dinner ideas full of big flavor.…

Apr 22, 2025 - 15:36
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45 Easy Shrimp Recipes

These shrimp recipes make fast and healthy meals! Here are my favorite easy shrimp dinner ideas full of big flavor.

Shrimp recipes, shrimp dinner ideas

If you’re looking to eat a quick and healthy dinner, one of the best places to look is shrimp recipes! As a cookbook author who eats mostly a Mediterranean diet, I often make shrimp for dinner because it’s quick and our whole family loves it!

Shrimp can go from zero to dinner incredibly quickly. This protein cooks up in just 3 minutes (which must be some kind of a speed record!). It’s also juicy, flavorful, and satisfying.

Types of shrimp recipes

Below are the top shrimp recipes I like to make on a regular basis. There are all the basics, like sauteed shrimp, boiled shrimp, grilled shrimp, and baked shrimp. But there are also lots of creative ways to serve it!

You can use shrimp in rice bowls, stir fries, tacos, curry, or serve with pasta like everyone’s favorite, shrimp scampi. There are even shrimp appetizers like nachos, and even a good old fashioned shrimp boil. Here are the recipes I turn to first!

Our top shrimp recipes

Tips for buying shrimp

Lastly, a little note about what to look for when buying shrimp. In researching how to buy sustainable seafood, we’ve learned a few pointers:

  • Look for wild caught if possible, or find a well-regulated farm. Fish that is wild caught in your country is usually a sustainable choice. There are also quality options in well-regulated farms; see Seafood Watch Consumer Guide.
  • Frozen shrimp is also high quality. A myth about fish is that “fresh is best.” As soon as an animal dies it begins to decompose; freezing suspends this process. If the shrimp is frozen when it was caught and stays frozen until it gets to your kitchen, it will be higher quality than a raw fish that has taken a week to get to your plate.

Frequently asked questions

What types of shrimp are best for cooking?

There are many types to choose from! Popular ones include white shrimp, brown shrimp, pink shrimp, and tiger shrimp. Each has a slightly different flavor and texture. We like using tail on shrimp for most recipes.

Should I buy fresh or frozen shrimp

Both options are great! Fresh shrimp often have a slightly better flavor, but high-quality frozen shrimp can be just as delicious. If you choose frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight for best results.

How do I devein and peel shrimp?

Deveining removes the dark intestinal tract. We recommend buying shrimp that are already deveined before making shrimp recipes. Only use shell on shrimp if the recipe calls for it.

What’s the best way to know if shrimp are cooked?

Cooked shrimp turn opaque and a vibrant pink/orange color. They will also curl into a loose “C” shape.

Can I adapt recipes to use smaller or larger shrimp?

Yes! Be sure to adjust cooking times as needed. Smaller shrimp cook faster than large ones.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover shrimp dishes?

Reheat gently to avoid overcooking and tough shrimp. Low heat on the stovetop or a quick warmup in the oven are usually preferred.

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5 Minute Sauteed Shrimp (& More Recipes!)

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5 from 1 review

This sauteed shrimp recipe comes out juicy and seasoned to perfection in 5 minutes! A quick and healthy dinner idea.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, deveined (tail on or peeled)
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika (or substitute standard paprika)
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¾ teaspoon cumin
  • 3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
  • 3 lemon wedges
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Thaw the shrimp, if frozen. Pat the shrimp dry. In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp with the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the butter on medium high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just opaque and cooked through, turning them with tongs.
  3. Spritz with juice of the lemon wedges and serve immediately.

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