Shrimp is one of the most versatile proteins you can keep in your kitchen. It cooks quickly, soaks up flavor beautifully, and works in everything from light salads to hearty pastas. Whether you’re planning a quick weeknight dinner or looking to impress guests, these 10 easy shrimp recipes will give you reliable, go-to options you’ll want to make again and again.
Start simple with garlic butter shrimp—juicy shrimp sautéed in butter, garlic, and lemon for a dish that’s as quick as it is delicious. If you want something with a little spice, try shrimp tacos topped with fresh salsa and avocado. For pasta lovers, shrimp scampi linguine delivers bright, garlicky flavor in just minutes, while creamy Cajun shrimp pasta brings a comforting, smoky kick.
Shrimp is also perfect for lighter meals. Toss it into a shrimp and quinoa salad with fresh veggies and a zesty vinaigrette, or skewer it for grilled shrimp kebabs—a great choice for summer cookouts. For something warm and cozy, you can’t go wrong with a bowl of shrimp and corn chowder, creamy and satisfying without being too heavy.
Want a dish with a little international flair? Try shrimp fried rice, a fast and flavorful way to use up leftovers, or shrimp curry, simmered in a rich coconut sauce with spices. And if you’re craving comfort food, a classic shrimp po’ boy sandwich—crispy shrimp tucked into soft bread with tangy remoulade—always hits the spot.
With these 10 satisfying shrimp recipes, you’ll have plenty of inspiration to make the most of this quick-cooking, flavor-packed seafood any night of the week. They’re easy, versatile, and always crowd-pleasing—recipes you’ll want to keep in your back pocket.
20-Minute Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi Pasta
The genius of this recipe is that all of the ingredients (wine, garlic, shrimp and even the peas) cook together in one pot. Just make sure to use shrimp that’s still frozen or they will overcook. You don’t have to serve garlic bread with the dish, but there’s nothing better for sopping up all that delicious buttery sauce.
The Best Shrimp Pad Thai
In Thailand, you’ll find street vendors whipping up this noodle dish to order from scratch. There are numerous variations of the ingredients used to achieve the perfect sweet, sour and umami noodle dish. We’ve chosen to use sriracha in our version for its warming heat and sweetness. It also adds a nice color. In quick-cooking stir-fry dishes, it’s imperative to have all your ingredients prepped and ready-to-go before you start cooking.
Shrimp DeJonghe
This famous Chicago casserole is usually attributed to the DeJonghe brothers, restauranteurs and hotel owners who hailed from Belgium. They reportedly served this dish at the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, although it’s unclear whether they themselves or their chef, Emil Zehr, deserve credit for the original recipe. The casserole is particularly rich and luxurious, hallmarks of popular turn-of-the-century restaurant fare: Shrimp are bathed in a buttery garlic sauce and topped with sherry-coated breadcrumbs spiced with herbs like parsley and tarragon (some versions also include chervil and marjoram). Originally, the shrimp were boiled and then baked, but we think eliminating that step streamlines the recipe and leaves the shrimp more tender. This dish is hearty enough for a main dish but works just as well for an appetizer.
Sweet and Sour Glazed Shrimp
Taking loose cues from the sweet and sour chicken that’s popular at Chinese-American takeout restaurants, this speedy shrimp stir-fry uses plum sauce, ketchup and rice wine vinegar to create the perfect balance of flavors.
Bucatini with Rose Red Pepper Sauce and Shrimp
This simple, summery pasta dish gets its vibrant flavor from briny shrimp, red bell peppers and a generous addition of rose wine—and just a little heavy cream, for richness. Red pepper flakes give it a kick of spicy heat. Pour a glass of the same wine used in cooking, and serve the dish for a sunny taste all year round.
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp
These air-fryer shrimp are perfectly crispy and easy to make without the hassle of heating up a large pot of oil. Serve with our spicy remoulade, or substitute any of your favorite condiments for dipping.
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Corn Sheet Pan Dinner
This sheet pan dinner is loaded with summer corn, tomatoes, fennel and shrimp. The whole thing is broiled together, so you can have it on the table in a flash. Top with feta, fresh basil and a squeeze of lemon juice for the perfect summer weeknight meal.
The Best Shrimp Scampi
A classic menu item from every great Italian-American restaurant, this shrimp scampi hits all the right notes – buttery, lemony, garlicky. We love it for its simplicity and balance of flavor (copious amounts of butter help, too!). But while it looks and tastes fancy, this dish is actually very easy to make. The white wine sauce gets a spicy finish from red pepper flakes, perfect for soaking up with good crusty bread or cooked pasta.
Shrimp Scampi Mac and Cheese
This mash-up of macaroni ‘n’ cheese and your favorite garlicky shrimp dish is deeply cheesy and satisfying.
Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp Sliders
These sliders draw their inspiration from the beloved garlic shrimp trucks and stands of Hawaii, translating the flavors to mini shrimp burgers. An outrageous amount of garlic is sauteed in butter and tossed with paprika and cayenne. The mixture is folded into chopped shrimp, shaped into patties and cooked until succulent. Serve these shrimp patties on sweet slider buns with a crunchy green slaw of shredded napa cabbage, sliced scallions and cucumbers and you will be transported.
