10+ Shrimp Recipes to Make Your Dinner Fun and Easy

Shrimp is a popular choice for many meals because it cooks quickly and tastes great. You can prepare shrimp in many different ways, making it easy to enjoy a variety of flavors.

You don’t need to be a chef to make tasty shrimp dishes that fit your schedule and taste buds.

Whether you want a simple meal or something with a twist, shrimp recipes can be quick and satisfying. You’ll find ideas that work for different tastes and occasions.

These recipes help you bring something delicious to the table anytime.

1) Garlic Butter Shrimp

Garlic butter shrimp is a quick and tasty dish you can make anytime. The shrimp cooks fast and soaks up the garlic and butter flavors well.

You can serve it as a main dish or an appetizer. Sauté the shrimp with lots of garlic and finish with a splash of lemon.

It pairs nicely with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce. This recipe comes together in about 20 minutes.

You can control the spice by adding red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Using fresh shrimp gives the best flavor and texture.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp, cleaned and deveined
• 1/4 cup butter
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt to taste
• Optional: 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.
4. Stir in lemon juice and red pepper flakes (if using).
5. Season with salt and serve warm.

Learn more about garlic butter shrimp here.

2) Honey Garlic Shrimp

Honey garlic shrimp is quick to make and tastes great. The shrimp are cooked in a sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and ginger.

This gives a nice mix of sweet and savory flavors. You can serve it with rice, vegetables, or on a salad.

It only takes about 10 to 20 minutes, so it’s perfect for a fast, healthy dinner. Make sure your shrimp are thawed and dry before cooking.

This helps the sauce stick better and keeps the shrimp from becoming watery.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Whisk honey, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and fish sauce in a bowl.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Add shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink.
4. Pour sauce over shrimp and toss to coat evenly.
5. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Serve warm with rice or veggies for a quick meal.

For more tips and variations, check out this honey garlic shrimp recipe.

3) Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Shrimp scampi pasta is a simple and delicious dish you can make quickly. It features shrimp cooked in a sauce made with butter, garlic, and white wine.

Fresh lemon juice brightens the sauce and pairs perfectly with pasta. The shrimp stay tender while the sauce coats every bite.

This dish works well with spaghetti or linguine. Toss the cooked pasta right in the pan with the shrimp and sauce to soak up all the flavors.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 ounces pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
3. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add shrimp and cook until pink, 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Pour in white wine and lemon juice; simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Toss shrimp and sauce with cooked pasta.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and parsley if using. Serve warm.

For more on this recipe, see this shrimp scampi pasta recipe.

4) Shrimp Fried Rice

Shrimp fried rice is a quick and tasty meal you can make at home. It uses cooked rice, shrimp, eggs, and veggies all in one pan.

This dish is great for using leftover rice and makes a satisfying dinner. Marinate the shrimp with soy sauce and a little cornstarch to keep it tender.

Cooking it on medium-high heat helps keep the rice from getting mushy. Add green onions or bean sprouts to boost the flavor and texture.

This recipe takes about 20 minutes and tastes better than takeout. It’s simple and healthy because it’s not greasy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 8 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (like peas, carrots)
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate shrimp with soy sauce and cornstarch for 5 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat (about 375°F/190°C).
3. Cook shrimp until pink, then set aside.
4. Add eggs to the pan and scramble.
5. Add cooked rice, vegetables, shrimp, and green onions.
6. Stir everything well and season with salt and pepper.
7. Cook for 3-5 minutes until heated through.

5) Grilled Harissa Shrimp

Grilled harissa shrimp brings a smoky, spicy flavor to your meal. The shrimp are marinated in a blend of harissa paste, olive oil, and garlic.

This makes the shrimp tender and full of taste. Skewer the shrimp for easy grilling.

Cook them quickly on a hot grill until they turn pink and slightly charred. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes on each side.

Serve the shrimp with fresh herbs or a drizzle of basil oil for extra flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons harissa paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix harissa paste, olive oil, garlic, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add shrimp and toss to coat well. Marinate for 15-30 minutes.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high (about 400°F / 204°C).
4. Thread shrimp onto skewers.
5. Grill shrimp 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.
6. Remove and serve with fresh herbs or basil oil.

6) Shrimp Etouffee

Shrimp Etouffee is a tasty dish from New Orleans. It uses a thick sauce made with a roux, which is a mix of flour and fat cooked until brown.

This sauce gives the dish its rich, smooth texture. Cook shrimp in a mix of vegetables like bell peppers, celery, and onions.

The spices add a bit of heat and flavor without being too spicy. Serve it over white rice.

You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, and it comes together in about an hour. Try this Shrimp Étouffée recipe for a simple version.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil or lard
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 large rib celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1-2 jalapeño peppers, chopped
• 1 pound fresh or frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups seafood stock or water
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked white rice, for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil or lard in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Stir in flour and cook until the roux turns light brown, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add celery, onion, bell pepper, jalapeños, and garlic. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
4. Pour in seafood stock and bring to a simmer.
5. Add Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
6. Add shrimp and cook until pink and firm, about 5 minutes.
7. Serve hot over cooked white rice.

7) Coconut Shrimp

Coconut shrimp is a tasty dish that combines crispy shrimp with a sweet coconut coating. It’s a great choice for a quick meal or a fun appetizer when guests come over.

You can fry or bake the shrimp, depending on your preference. Coat them in shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs to get them extra crispy.

Baking them at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes makes them golden and crunchy without deep frying. Serve with a dipping sauce like sweet chili or pineapple for added flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil or spray

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
3. Set up three bowls: flour, beaten eggs, and a mix of coconut and panko.
4. Dip shrimp in flour, then eggs, then coconut mix.
5. Place shrimp on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Lightly spray with oil.
7. Bake for 15 minutes or until crispy and golden.

8) Shrimp Quesadillas

Shrimp quesadillas offer a fun way to enjoy seafood with a crunchy, cheesy twist. Start by seasoning shrimp with cumin, chili powder, and lime juice.

Cook the shrimp with onions and bell peppers for extra flavor. When the shrimp mixture is ready, layer it with cheese inside a tortilla.

Cook the quesadilla on a hot pan until the outside turns crispy and the cheese melts. Serve with salsa or a side of mango for a fresh touch.

You can find a recipe for shrimp quesadillas here.

Ingredients

• Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Bell peppers, sliced
• Onion, sliced
• Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• Flour tortillas
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Lime juice
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil or butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Season shrimp with cumin, chili powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a pan. Cook shrimp with onions and bell peppers until the shrimp is done.
3. Place a tortilla in a clean pan. Add cheese, shrimp mix, and more cheese on top.
4. Cover with another tortilla. Cook on medium heat until golden brown and cheese melts, about 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

9) Shrimp Salad Stuffed Tomatoes

Shrimp salad stuffed tomatoes make a fresh and tasty dish. Start by hollowing out ripe tomatoes.

Fill them with a mix of cooked shrimp, diced celery, and fresh herbs for a crunchy salad. Add a simple dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, and mustard to bring everything together.

This dish is cool and light, perfect for warm days. It’s easy to prepare and looks great on the table.

Ingredients

• 1 pound cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped
• 4 large ripe tomatoes
• 1-2 stalks celery, finely diced
• ¼ cup fresh basil or parsley, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cut the tops off the tomatoes and scoop out the insides. Set tomatoes aside.
3. In a bowl, mix shrimp, celery, and basil.
4. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper.
5. Pour the dressing over the shrimp mixture and stir gently.
6. Stuff the tomatoes with the shrimp salad.
7. Place tomatoes in a baking dish and bake for 10-15 minutes.
8. Serve warm or chilled.

Find more details and variations in this shrimp salad stuffed tomatoes recipe.

10) Shrimp Lo Mein

Shrimp Lo Mein is a simple and tasty dish you can make at home. It combines tender shrimp with soft noodles and crunchy vegetables.

The sauce tastes sweet and savory. You can make this meal in about 20 to 30 minutes.

Start by marinating the shrimp to add flavor. Cook the shrimp and vegetables quickly in a hot pan.

Toss everything with cooked egg noodles and the sauce. You can use fresh bell peppers, coleslaw mix, or other veggies you like.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp
• Egg noodles
• Bell peppers
• Coleslaw mix
• Soy sauce
• Shaoxing rice wine
• Cornstarch
• Oil
• Salt
• White pepper
• Garlic

Cooking Instructions:

1. Marinate shrimp with salt, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, oil, and white pepper for 10 minutes.
2. Cook egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat oil in a pan at medium-high heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
4. Stir-fry shrimp until pink. Remove from pan.
5. Add bell peppers and coleslaw mix to the pan. Cook until crisp-tender.
6. Return shrimp to the pan.
7. Add noodles and pour in the sauce made of soy sauce, a bit of sugar, and oyster sauce if available.
8. Toss everything well for 2-3 minutes. Serve hot.

For more details, check Shrimp Lo Mein recipes like the one on Spend With Pennies.