47 Quick-Cooking Shrimp Recipes That Are Shrimp-ly Irresistible
We shrimp-ly can't get enough shrimp.
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 sweet corn shrimp & rice skillet, 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!
Shrimp Scampi
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.
Pad Thai
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.
Garlic Butter Shrimp & Asparagus
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.
Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo
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.
Get the Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo recipe.
Shrimp Ceviche
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.
Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Wraps
"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.
Best Jambalaya
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.
Shrimp Stew
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 cocktail like a Hurricane or a Cherry Sazerac!
Get the Shrimp Stew recipe.
Crispy Honey Chipotle Shrimp
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.
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.
Vietnamese-Cajun Shrimp Boil
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.
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi
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!
Classic Paella
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.
One-Pot Shrimp Primavera
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.
Shrimp Mango Salad
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.
Shrimp and Rice
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.
Shrimp Tempura Roll
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.
Blackened Shrimp Bowls
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.
Grilled Shrimp Foil Packets
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.
Buffalo Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
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.
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