18 Easy Shrimp Recipes
From ceviche and shrimp cocktail to tempura and air fryer shrimp, these 18 Easy Shrimp Recipes are simple to make and guaranteed to impress! There’s a shrimp recipe here for every occasion, most requiring minimal prep.
Irresistible Shrimp Recipes
There’s no denying that I love shrimp, and I like to eat it in a variety of ways. Here are 18 Easy Shrimp Recipes that we turn to again and again!
Whipping up a delicious shrimp meal doesn’t have to be a challenge. In fact, I think it’s one of the quickest, easiest ways to get a healthy, protein-packed meal on the table in very little time.
In this post I share quick and easy shrimp recipes like air fryer shrimp, baked shrimp mac & cheese, and MY FAVORITE margarita grilled shrimp. If you like honey walnut shrimp, then keep an eye out for that recipe, too – it’s become a favorite date night dish around here!
What Is Shrimp?
Shrimp is classified as seafood. Specifically, it’s a crustacean in the shellfish family known for its flexible abdomen.
Shrimp are found all over the world and range from tiny to several inches long.
Are Shrimp and Prawns The Same?
Shrimp and prawns are two terms often used interchangeably, as they look and taste so alike. Yet even though they are both decapods, shrimp and prawns are two different animals.
There are several anatomical differences between the two, including how they reproduce. But I’m mostly concerned about what they taste like and how to cook with them!
Lucky for all of us shrimp lovers, we can use shrimp and prawns interchangeably. They have similar flavor and texture, and behave the same when cooked.
For me, I 95% of the time use shrimp. It’s just those times when I’m looking for an extra special meal that I’ll seek out prawns – as prawns can have an especially large size. They have a slightly sweeter flavor, too, which is lovely. But, of course, prawns usually cost more.
Are Shrimp Healthy To Eat?
In general, yes, shrimp are very healthy to eat.
Shrimp are low in carbs and calories, and have next to zero saturated fat. They’re also packed with nutrients like copper, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
And shrimp are high in protein. Besides their flavor and texture, knowing that their protein will fill me up without feeling heavy – this is a top qualifier for me. They’re the perfect thing to cook up when I’m looking for a healthy, flavorful, and filling meal.
Tips for Buying Shrimp At The Store
Wondering how to pick out the best shrimp at the grocery store? Here are a few tips:
- Frozen is just fine! If you’re in an area that’s not by the coast, you can buy frozen shrimp instead of fresh shrimp. We do this ALL THE TIME. In fact, sometimes the frozen shrimp is “fresher” than the shrimp sitting out on ice (here in landlocked Minnesota, most of the shrimp sitting on ice has already been frozen anyway), as it’s frozen at peak freshness.
- Avoid any funky smelling shrimp. When buying fresh shrimp, avoid any funky smells. If you detect any smell of ammonia, that’s a sign that bacteria is growing on the shrimp and it’s no longer fresh or good. Shrimp should smell fresh and clean, like the sea. Anything “fishy” smelling is past its prime.
- Avoid any that feel slimy. Similarly, if the shrimp or their shells look slimy or feel soft, skip those.
- Pay attention to your recipe needs. There are many different sizes of shrimp and you can buy them raw, cooked, peeled, tail on/off, deveined, etc. Some recipes like soups and chowders are best with smaller shrimp while others require larger shrimp, so always check your recipe before heading to the store.
The Best Easy Shrimp Recipes
I love to cook with shrimp because it’s so fast and easy, yet makes any dinner feel a bit more special. From ceviche to tempura, here are a few of my favorite easy shrimp recipes for all occasions!
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18 Easy Shrimp Recipes
From ceviche and shrimp cocktail to tempura and air fryer shrimp, these 18 Easy Shrimp Recipes are simple to make and guaranteed to impress! There's a shrimp recipe here for every occasion, most requiring minimal prep.
This Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe is a little lighter than most. It features juicy shrimp with a lightly crispy exterior, in a sweet and sticky sauce, plus honey glazed walnuts for some delicious crunch. It's ready in 30 minutes - a new favorite around here!
This easy Air Fryer Shrimp recipe gives you perfectly seasoned and lightly crispy shrimp. Enjoy with cocktail sauce or tartar sauce for an easy appetizer or light meal.
Filled with sauteed vegetables, juicy shrimp, and tender corn, this Shrimp and Corn Chowder is hearty and filling. You'll love the lightly creamy, flavorful broth!
Featuring shrimp marinated in citrus juice, this Shrimp Ceviche is a refreshing classic. Serve with tortilla chips and margaritas as an appetizer or light meal.
These Shrimp Tempura are coated in a light batter and then fried to crispy perfection. Enjoy as an appetizer or main course, or add to sushi for an easy dinner. It's also fun to tuck these tempura shrimp into a dragon roll!
Looking for a fun and tasty appetizer? Try these Sriracha Toasts with Shrimp. They're perfect for game day or as a starter to an elegant dinner. I also love to serve them with a big fresh salad!
These Margarita Grilled Shrimp Skewers are marinated in a flavorful spice mixture, then grilled to charred perfection. Serve with fresh lime wedges for a quick, easy, and impressive appetizer or light meal! (Also be sure to check out my grilled shrimp skewers with sausage!)
This Mexican Shrimp Cocktail is a combination of shrimp ceviche, shrimp cocktail, and a Bloody Mary - all in one! Enjoy with tortilla chips or saltines. SO FUN!!
Tossed in olive oil and a few spices, this Grilled Shrimp Cocktail recipe features shrimp that are charred from the heat of the grill - which gives this classic recipe a fun new twist! Serve with cocktail sauce and lemon slices.
Give your classic mac and cheese a makeover with this gooey, cheesy Baked Shrimp Mac & Cheese. It's perfect as either a side dish or an entree!
This Creamy Chili Shrimp Dip is loaded with flavor, a fun retro recipe from my aunt's recipe box. Guaranteed to become a crowd favorite at your next party!
This Watermelon and Citrus Shrimp Ceviche is a refreshing twist on classic shrimp ceviche. With sweet, juicy watermelon, it's perfect for summertime gatherings and easy to prepare! And if you're a big watermelon fan, you might want to think about shaking up a watermelon margarita to go along with this!
If you're looking for a healthy, flavorful lunch or dinner, check out these Mexican Grilled Shrimp Bowls. Loaded with sweet potatoes and tomatoes, they're packed with flavor and so easy to make.
This Bloody Mary with Grilled Jalapeno Shrimp definitely toes the line between cocktail and meal. An excellent, delicious drink for weekend brunch!
These creamy Shrimp and Peppadew Crostinis make an easy, festive appetizer any time of year. I love that peppadew flavor with the shrimp!
This Shrimp Dip is a party must-make in my house, a recipe from my mom. Made with just a few ingredients, this creamy, savory dip is perfect for everything from holidays to game days to summer BBQs.
Take your traditional ceviche up a notch with this Grilled Shrimp Ceviche. Featuring deliciously smoky, charred shrimp and salsa fresca, this recipe is irresistible!
Light and refreshing, this Tropical Shrimp Salad can be served as an appetizer or as a side to a light lunch. It's bright and refreshing, especially lovely during the summer months!
