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Easy and Healthy Shrimp Recipes your Family will Love (22+ recipes!)

From classic scampi to spicy coconut curry, these shrimp recipes are sure to satisfy your seafood cravings. Discover new ways to cook this versatile and delicious ingredient.

Whether you’re new to cooking with shrimp, or it’s a staple in your house, you’ll love these easy shrimp recipes. Whether it’s a busy weeknight and you need a quick and easy dinner recipe, or you’re just craving shrimp, your entire family will love these recipes!

Looking for more dinner ideas? We have you covered!

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Introduction To Shrimp As A Healthy And Delicious Option

Alright, let’s talk shrimp! Adding shrimp to your cooking game brings a whole lot of goodness to the table.

First off, it’s super tasty and cooks up quick, perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something delicious fast. Plus, shrimp is packed with good stuff like lean protein and essential nutrients (hello B12, iodine and selenium!) that keep you feeling great.

Whether you’re into spicy stir-fries, creamy pastas, or zesty tacos, shrimp fits right in and adds that extra oomph to your dish. So why not give it a shot? It’s easy, it’s healthy, and most importantly, it tastes amazing!

Getting Started: Should you Buy Fresh or Frozen Shrimp?


Whether to buy fresh shrimp or frozen depends on various factors and personal preferences. Here are some considerations:

  1. Freshness: If you live in a coastal area with access to freshly caught shrimp, buying fresh shrimp can offer superior flavor and texture. However, freshness is key, so ensure that the shrimp you’re purchasing is indeed fresh.
  2. Convenience: Frozen shrimp can be more convenient as they can be stored for longer periods without the risk of spoilage. This is especially beneficial if you don’t have easy access to fresh shrimp or if you’re planning to use them at a later date.
  3. Availability: Depending on your location, fresh shrimp may not always be readily available, especially if you’re inland or far from coastal regions. In such cases, frozen shrimp may be the more practical option.
  4. Quality: High-quality frozen shrimp are often flash-frozen shortly after harvesting, which helps preserve their flavor and texture. However, not all frozen shrimp are of equal quality, so it’s essential to choose reputable brands or suppliers known for their high-quality seafood.
  5. Cost: In some cases, frozen shrimp may be more cost-effective than fresh shrimp, especially if you’re purchasing them out of season or in bulk.

Ultimately, the decision between fresh and frozen shrimp depends on factors like availability, convenience, quality, and personal preference. Experimenting with both types can help you determine which works best for your recipes and tastes.

How to Defrost and Clean Shrimp

If you havefrozen shrimp, simply transfer them to the fridge overnight or place them in a bowl of cold water for a quick thaw. Avoid using hot water to prevent cooking them prematurely.

Once thawed, it’s time to clean. Give your shrimp a gentle rinse under cold water, removing any remaining ice crystals and debris. You can also opt to peel and devein them for a cleaner presentation. With these simple steps, you’re ready to dive into the world of shrimp cooking!

How to Peel and Devein Shrimp

Peeling and deveining shrimp is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Peeling: Hold the shrimp firmly in one hand. With the other hand, grasp the shell near the head and gently peel it back towards the tail. You can leave the tail intact for presentation or remove it entirely depending on your preference.
  2. Removing Legs and Tail: If desired, you can trim off the legs and the sharp pointy tail with kitchen scissors or a sharp knife.
  3. Deveining: Once the shrimp is peeled, you’ll notice a dark vein running along its back. This vein is the shrimp’s digestive tract and is sometimes gritty or unpleasant in texture. To remove it, use a small, sharp knife or a deveining tool. Make a shallow incision along the back of the shrimp, exposing the vein. Use the tip of the knife or your fingers to lift and remove the vein.
  4. Rinsing: After deveining, rinse the shrimp under cold water to remove any remaining debris or residue.
  5. Pat Dry: After rinsing, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels before cooking.

Following these steps ensures that your shrimp are clean, deveined, and ready to be used in your favorite recipes!

FAQ

How do I know if shrimp is cooked properly?

Shrimp turn opaque and pink when fully cooked. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become tough and rubbery.

Can I use frozen shrimp instead of fresh in recipes?

Yes, frozen shrimp can be used in most recipes that call for fresh shrimp. Just make sure to properly thaw them before cooking.

How long does it take to cook shrimp?

Shrimp cook quickly, usually within 2-4 minutes per side, depending on the size and cooking method.

Should I remove the tails before cooking shrimp?

Whether to remove the tails depends on personal preference and the recipe. Tails can add flavor and presentation value, but they can also be removed for easier eating.

How do I prevent overcooking shrimp?

Keep a close eye on shrimp while cooking and remove them from heat as soon as they turn opaque and pink. Overcooking can result in tough, rubbery shrimp.

Can I marinate shrimp for flavor?

Yes, shrimp can be marinated to infuse them with flavor before cooking. However, be mindful of acidic ingredients in the marinade, as they can “cook” the shrimp if left for too long.

How do I store fresh shrimp?

Fresh shrimp should be stored in the coldest part of your refrigerator and used within 1-2 days of purchase for optimal freshness.

Are shrimp shells edible?

While the shells are technically edible, most people prefer to remove them before eating for easier consumption.

Our Favorite Shrimp Recipes

ORANGE JUICE MARINATED JUMBO SHRIMP SALAD WRAPS

They’re fast and easy to whip together, and when you buy pre-cooked shrimp, you don’t even need to turn on an oven or a grill. Whip them up in advance and plate them whenever you’re ready to eat. Yum!

Spice Shrimp & Pesto Noodles

Spicy Shrimp & Pesto Noodles –  – 15 Minute Spicy Shrimp with Pesto Noodles – a quick, easy, and light recipe with healthy pesto coated zucchini noodles! 300 calories.

Shrimp Avocado Salad with Miso Dressing

This Spicy Shrimp and Avocado Salad has cucumbers, baby kale, shrimp, and avocado with a creamy miso dressing. SO YUMMAY.

Guacamole Shrimp Bites

Guacamole Shrimp Bites –  – Spicy Guacamole Shrimp Bites. Fast, easy, and SO addictive! The perfect appetizer recipe for your next party.

guacamole-shrimp-bites

Creamy Shrimp and Mushroom Pasta

Creamy shrimp and mushroom pasta in a delicious homemade alfredo sauce. All the flavors you want: garlic, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika, Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese.

Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Bake

Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Bake – – Skinny Shrimp Alfredo Pasta Bake – An unbelievably cheesy, creamy lightened-up pasta bake that you can easily make ahead of time!

shrimp-alfredo-pasta-bake

Coconut SHrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce

Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Chili Sauce – Don’t you just want to taste this!

Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Shrimp Pasta

Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Shrimp Pasta – – 20 MINUTE or less Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Shrimp Pasta packed with juicy shrimp (or chicken) and more flavor than a 5 star restaurant at a fraction of the cost!

sun-dried-tomato-basil-shrimp-pasta

Garlic Herb Roasted Shrimp

Garlic Herb Roasted Shrimp – easiest and best roasted shrimp with butter, garlic, herb and serve with cocktail sauce. Takes 15 mins.

Slow Cooker Cajun Corn and Shrimp Chowder

Slow Cooker Cajun Corn and Shrimp Chowder –  – Make some of this super easy chowder for dinner and everyone will be feeling back to their best in no time!

slow-cooker-cajun-corn-and-shrimp-chowder

Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Summer calls for grills, shrimp and tacos galore! Make it Mexican night with these Spicy Grilled Shrimp Tacos with all the fixins for your next summer bbq or party! No one will believe you that they’re healthy too!

Slow Cooker Creamy Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Garlic Butter Shrimp

Slow Cooker Creamy Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash with Garlic Butter Shrimp –  – Creamy Basil Pesto Spaghetti Squash w/Garlic Butter Shrimp – try homemade pesto or mixed herb sauce, try making squash ahead of time and keeping in fridge, then making shrimp at lunchtime

slow-cooker-creamy-basil-pesto-spaghetti-squash-with-garlic-butter-shrimp

Spicy Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Want a nourishing low carb salad that only takes minutes to prepare? The spicy kick in this healthy shrimp and avocado salad takes it to another level.

Healthy 20-Minute Shrimp and Broccoli

Healthy 20-Minutes Shrimp & Broccoli –  – 20-Minute Skinny Sriracha Shrimp and Broccoli – this delicious restaurant quality meal is ready SO fast!

healthy-20-minutes-shrimp-broccoli

Honey Garlic Shrimp Skillet

This smoky and sweet honey garlic shrimp skillet is super easy with only five ingredients and cooked in less than 15 minutes!

Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice

Garlic Butter Shrimp & Rice –  – Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice – Garlic Butter lends an amazing flavor to this speedy and incredibly delicious meal with Shrimp and Rice.

garlic-butter-shrimp-rice

MORE OF OUR FAVORITE SHRIMP RECIPES

Looking for more of our favorite shrimp recipes? Look no further than these family favorites!

  1. Olive Garden Shrimp Alfredo
  2. Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Copycat
  3. Shrimp Louie Salad
  4. Old Bay Steamed Shrimp
  5. Red Lobster Shrimp Scampi Copycat

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