Ingredient Guide
What to Cook With Shrimp: 8 Fast, Flavor-Packed Dinners
Shrimp is one of the fastest-cooking proteins available — the challenge is knowing what to cook with shrimp in a way that doesn't overcook them into rubber. Recipes with shrimp go from fridge to table in under 20 minutes, and how to use up frozen shrimp on any given weeknight is one of the most useful skills in quick cooking.
8 Recipes With Shrimp
Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta
Sauté shrimp in foaming garlic butter, deglaze with white wine, and toss with pasta, lemon zest, and parsley for a restaurant-quality 20-minute dinner.
Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Slaw
Season shrimp with cumin and chili, quickly pan-fry, and pile into tortillas with a chipotle lime cabbage slaw and avocado crema.
Thai Shrimp Fried Rice
Stir-fry shrimp with day-old rice, egg, fish sauce, lime juice, and Thai basil for an authentic Thai street food rice in 15 minutes.
Cajun Shrimp and Grits
Season shrimp with Cajun spices, cook in butter, and serve over creamy cheese grits with a splash of Worcestershire and scallions.
Lemon Garlic Baked Shrimp
Toss shrimp with garlic, lemon, butter, and white wine in a baking dish and roast at 400°F for 8 minutes until just pink and curled.
Shrimp Stir-Fry with Snap Peas
Toss shrimp in a hot wok with snap peas, ginger, and a soy-sesame glaze for a fast, high-protein dinner that outperforms any takeout order.
Classic Shrimp Cocktail
Poach shrimp in spiced court bouillon until just pink, chill in ice water, and serve with homemade horseradish-heavy cocktail sauce.
Coconut Curry Shrimp
Simmer shrimp in a fragrant coconut milk and red curry sauce with lemongrass and lime leaves until just cooked through — serve over jasmine rice.
Pro Tips for Cooking With Shrimp
- 1
Shrimp overcook in seconds — pull them from the heat the moment they turn pink and curl into a loose C shape. An O shape means overcooked.
- 2
Buy frozen shrimp instead of 'fresh' at the fish counter — most 'fresh' shrimp at grocery stores is previously frozen and thawed, making frozen shrimp the better value with the same quality.
- 3
Devein large shrimp before cooking by cutting a shallow groove down the back with scissors or a knife and rinsing out the dark vein — it doesn't affect flavor but improves texture.
Ingredients That Pair Well With Shrimp
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View guide →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I thaw frozen shrimp quickly?
Place frozen shrimp in a colander in the sink and run cold (not warm) water over them for 5–7 minutes, tossing occasionally. They'll thaw fully in under 10 minutes. Never thaw shrimp in warm water — it starts the cooking process and makes them rubbery. In a hurry, you can also cook shrimp straight from frozen; add 2–3 extra minutes.
How do I know when shrimp are cooked through?
Perfectly cooked shrimp are pink on the outside with an opaque white interior and form a loose C shape. Overcooked shrimp curl tightly into an O shape and feel rubbery and dense. Since shrimp cook so quickly (2–3 minutes per side), watch them closely and remove from heat immediately when they just turn pink.
What size shrimp should I buy?
Shrimp are sold by count per pound — 16/20 means 16–20 shrimp per pound (jumbo). The lower the number, the larger the shrimp. For pasta and stir-fries, 21/25 (extra-large) is ideal. For tacos and bowls, 26/30 (large) are versatile and cheaper. For shrimp cocktail or a showpiece dish, go with 16/20 or larger.
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