🍤 9 Shrimp Recipes That Will Make You Crave Seafood
Okay, let’s be real for a second: shrimp is the Beyoncé of seafood. It’s versatile, it cooks in like five minutes, and it manages to make any meal feel a little fancier—even when all you did was toss it in butter and garlic. I don’t know about you, but I always keep a bag of shrimp in my freezer. Why? Because shrimp = instant dinner hero.
Ever been in that “what the heck am I making for dinner” moment? Shrimp saves the day. Quick stir-fry? Done. Pasta that tastes like it came from an overpriced Italian restaurant? Easy. Fancy appetizer that looks like you tried way harder than you did? Shrimp’s got your back.
So in this article, I’m sharing 9 shrimp recipes that I personally love (and I promise they’re not complicated). Some are quick weeknight staples, others are “show-off” meals, and all of them are ridiculously tasty. Fair warning though—you might start craving shrimp 24/7 after this. 🙂
1. Garlic Butter Shrimp
You know how some foods just scream comfort? Garlic butter shrimp is one of those. I mean, buttery shrimp sizzling in a skillet with garlic and lemon? That’s happiness in a pan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Toss in shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes per side.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the shrimp.
- Sprinkle parsley, season, and serve.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s fast, it’s buttery, and it goes with literally anything—rice, pasta, bread, or even straight out of the skillet. Honestly, if this doesn’t make you drool, check your pulse.
2. Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw
Shrimp + tacos = the love story we didn’t know we needed. Add a zesty slaw and boom—party food that tastes like a beach vacation.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper
- Corn tortillas
For Slaw:
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Toss shrimp in spices and olive oil.
- Sear shrimp in a hot skillet, 2 minutes per side.
- Mix cabbage, lime, cilantro, and sour cream for slaw.
- Warm tortillas, add slaw, top with shrimp.
- Optional: drizzle with hot sauce.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s light, crunchy, zesty, and the perfect excuse to make Taco Tuesday an everyday event. Ever noticed tacos just make life better? Yeah, exactly.
3. Coconut Shrimp
Ah, coconut shrimp—the appetizer that disappears faster than you can fry the next batch. Sweet, crispy, and dunked in sweet chili sauce… let’s just say self-control doesn’t exist here.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- Oil for frying
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dredge shrimp in flour, dip in egg, coat with coconut + breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil to 350°F.
- Fry shrimp in batches, 2–3 minutes until golden.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Serve with sweet chili sauce.
Why You’ll Love It
Crispy outside, juicy inside, with that tropical coconut crunch—basically vacation on a plate. IMO, these should be their own food group.
4. Shrimp Scampi Pasta
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re eating at a fancy Italian spot without leaving your house, this is it. Shrimp scampi pasta tastes indulgent but is sneaky easy.
Ingredients
- 1 lb linguine
- 1 lb shrimp
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine (or chicken broth)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Fresh parsley
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente.
- In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic.
- Add shrimp and cook until pink.
- Pour in wine and lemon juice, simmer briefly.
- Toss pasta in sauce, sprinkle parsley.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s garlicky, buttery, tangy, and feels indulgent without taking hours. Perfect date-night meal that makes you look like you know what you’re doing.
5. Honey Garlic Shrimp
You want sticky, glossy, sweet-savory perfection? Honey garlic shrimp is the answer. Serve it over rice and thank me later.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger.
- Marinate shrimp 15 minutes.
- Heat oil in skillet, cook shrimp 2 minutes per side.
- Pour marinade in pan, simmer until thick and glossy.
- Serve over rice.
Why You’ll Love It
That glossy glaze? Unreal. It’s like takeout but fresher, faster, and way cheaper. FYI, kids love it too.
6. Spicy Cajun Shrimp
If you like food with a kick, this one’s for you. Cajun shrimp is smoky, spicy, and basically flavor fireworks in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- Lemon wedges
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Toss shrimp in oil and Cajun seasoning.
- Heat skillet on high.
- Sear shrimp 2 minutes per side.
- Squeeze fresh lemon over shrimp.
- Serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love It
Bold flavors, quick cook time, and minimal cleanup—aka weeknight dinner goals. Ever notice spicy food somehow tastes better with a cold drink? Yeah, this is one of those meals.
7. Shrimp Fried Rice
Shrimp fried rice is the dish that proves leftovers can turn into magic. Got some day-old rice? You’ve basically got dinner.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 1 lb shrimp
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup mixed peas and carrots
- 2 green onions, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat oil in a wok. Scramble eggs, set aside.
- Add shrimp and cook until pink.
- Stir in veggies, then rice.
- Add soy sauce, toss everything together.
- Mix eggs back in, top with green onions.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s fast, filling, and tastes way better than takeout. Bonus: you get to control how much soy sauce goes in (because sometimes takeout feels like a salt bomb).
8. Shrimp and Grits
Classic Southern comfort food. Creamy, cheesy grits topped with juicy, spiced shrimp? This dish feels like a hug in a bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- 1 cup grits
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook grits in broth and milk until thick.
- Stir in butter and cheese.
- Season shrimp with paprika and cayenne.
- Sear shrimp in skillet until pink.
- Serve shrimp over cheesy grits.
Why You’ll Love It
Rich, creamy, spicy, and soul-satisfying. If comfort food had a spokesperson, it would probably be this dish.
9. Shrimp Stir Fry
Shrimp stir fry is the MVP of weeknight meals. It’s colorful, packed with veggies, and done in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cups mixed veggies (broccoli, peppers, snap peas)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a wok.
- Add garlic and veggies, stir fry 3–4 minutes.
- Add shrimp, cook until pink.
- Stir in soy sauce and oyster sauce.
- Serve over rice or noodles.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s healthy, colorful, and doesn’t taste like “diet food.” Plus, it’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like a stir-fry master even if you just dumped everything in the pan.
Conclusion
So there you go: 9 shrimp recipes that prove shrimp is basically the cheat code of cooking. Whether you’re craving something spicy, crispy, buttery, or comforting, shrimp delivers.
The best part? These recipes are fast, forgiving, and perfect for both weeknight chaos and weekend “let’s impress people” dinners. Next time you stare at that bag of shrimp in the freezer, you’ll know exactly what to do. 🙂
Now the only question is… which recipe are you trying first?
