15 Easy Shrimp Recipes
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15 fast shrimp recipes — from 15-minute garlic butter shrimp to crispy coconut shrimp — for weeknights when dinner needs to happen now.
Shrimp is the weeknight cook’s best friend. It thaws in minutes under cold water, cooks in about three, and takes on whatever flavors you throw at it. The only real rule: don’t walk away from the pan, because shrimp go from tender to rubbery fast.
Use this list two ways. If dinner is in 20 minutes, stick to the skillet and sheet-pan picks at the top. If you have a little more time, the tacos, curry, and po’ boys are worth it. Every recipe below keeps the ingredient list short and the method simple.
The Best Shrimp Recipes to Try
1. Garlic Butter Shrimp
The fastest dinner on this list. Shrimp seared in a hot skillet with butter, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon, finished with parsley. Fifteen minutes start to finish, and it works over rice, pasta, or just with crusty bread for the sauce.
2. Shrimp Scampi
Garlicky, lemony, and bathed in a white wine butter sauce. Toss it with linguine and you have a restaurant-style dinner in about 25 minutes. The trick is adding the shrimp last so they stay snappy and tender.
3. Shrimp Tacos
Seasoned shrimp with a quick sear, piled into warm tortillas with slaw and lime crema. Set out toppings and let everyone build their own. Serve with our guacamole recipe on the side and taco night is done.
4. Shrimp Fried Rice
Day-old rice, scrambled egg, peas, and shrimp tossed in a ripping-hot pan with soy sauce and sesame oil. Our fried rice recipe walks through the method — swap in shrimp and dinner is ready in 20 minutes.
5. Coconut Shrimp
Crispy, golden, and sweet. Shrimp coated in shredded coconut and baked or fried until crunchy, served with sweet chili sauce. They disappear fast as an appetizer and work as a fun main over rice.
6. Honey Garlic Shrimp
A sticky glaze of honey, garlic, and soy that caramelizes right in the pan. Sweet, savory, and done in 15 minutes. Spoon the extra sauce over steamed rice — nobody will leave a drop.
7. Shrimp Stir Fry
Whatever vegetables are in the crisper, cut small and cooked hot and fast with shrimp and a simple soy-ginger sauce. This is the clean-out-the-fridge dinner that still tastes intentional.
8. Shrimp Ceviche
No stove required. Shrimp cured in lime juice with cucumber, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. Bright, cold, and refreshing — make it for a hot day or as a make-ahead appetizer.
9. Shrimp Alfredo
Fettuccine in a creamy parmesan sauce with plump shrimp folded through. Rich and comforting, ready in about 30 minutes. A little nutmeg in the sauce keeps it from tasting flat.
10. Bang Bang Shrimp
Crispy shrimp tossed in a spicy-sweet mayo sauce. The restaurant favorite, made at home with a short ingredient list. Serve over rice or in lettuce cups to keep it lighter.
11. Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Shrimp threaded on skewers with peppers and onion, brushed with garlic-herb butter, and grilled for a few minutes per side. Smoky and simple — the definition of summer dinner.
12. Shrimp Curry
Shrimp simmered in a coconut milk curry with ginger, garlic, and curry powder. Mild enough for kids, easy to heat up for adults. Serve over jasmine rice to catch every bit of sauce.
13. Shrimp Po’ Boys
Crispy fried shrimp tucked into soft rolls with shredded lettuce, tomato, and remoulade. A New Orleans classic that eats like a weekend project but comes together in about 30 minutes.
14. Shrimp and Grits
Creamy, cheesy grits topped with shrimp cooked in bacon drippings with garlic and green onion. Comfort food with real depth — the kind of dinner that quiets the whole table.
15. Lemon Herb Shrimp Pasta
Light and fresh: shrimp, angel hair, olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, and a handful of herbs. When you want pasta night without the heaviness, this is the one to make.
Start with what sounds good tonight, not what sounds impressive. Shrimp is forgiving as long as you watch the clock — pull them the moment they curl into a loose C and turn pink, and the rest takes care of itself.
You May Also Like
- Best Fried Rice Recipe – the 20-minute base that turns shrimp into a full dinner
- Best Guacamole Recipe – the essential side for shrimp taco night
- Best Cucumber Salad – a cool, crisp side that pairs with any shrimp dish
