Not everyone loves shrimp – especially not as much as I do! Shrimp is such a great protein to mix things up on the dinner schedule. It is also really great for a quick meal as it does not take all that long to cook through. For the most part I like to use deveined tall-off shrimp. I am a big opponent of serving a dish with shrimp IN it that still has the tail on. No one wants to have to dig into the sauce or pull apart a taco to pull the tails off the shrimp. The exceptions would be a dish like shrimp on a skewer – as you are pulling it off the skewer anyway and can use the tail as a “handle”. I’m on the fence about leaving the tails on fried shrimp – only because sometimes you bite it in the right place and sometimes you get that little bit of shell. Any who – I have gone through the recipes here on Homemade on a Weeknight and put together my favorite Shrimp Recipes.
A few key kitchen tools you may want to have to hand when it comes to making these shrimp recipes:
- Skinny Tongs – These are perfect for the recipes that call for the frying of the shrimps. They are strong enough to grip them, but not so big that they squash them.
- Rice Cooker – I don’t make all of my shrimp dishes with rice – but many of them definitely have it. Having a rice cooker in your kitchen is just handy.
- Metal Kebab Skewers – not all, but many of these recipes utilize skewers to cook the shrimp on. I used to use the bamboo ones, but now that I have found the metal reusable ones, I’m not going back.
And without further adieu – here are My Favorite Shrimp Recipes from the blog!
Shrimp Broccoli Alfredo – Alfredo is a classic pasta dish – and adding in some shrimp and alfredo, just makes it that much better. Homemade alfredo sauce is pretty easy to make – very similar to to a cheddar cheese sauce. And the butter garlic shrimp is just the right protein to top to make this a family favorite. Shrimp Broccoli Alfredo is a perfect for a weeknight meal, as it’s full of flavor and quick to the table.
Crunchy Shrimp Tacos – Tacos are at the top of my favorite meals, not just to eat but to make. I have so much fun creating each of the components that it takes to make the best bite. These Crunchy Shrimp Tacos have layers of flavor from the fresh slaw, sriracha mayo, cojita cheese and of course the crunchy shrimp that have a little kick from some cayenne.
Ginger Lime Shrimp & Rice – When you really need to get dinner on the table in short order – Shrimp is a great protein to start with. It’s pretty versatile and does a great job of picking a huge range of flavors. This is especially true with this super simple but full of flavor shrimp dish
Crispy Shrimp Rolls – When you want to have a little bit of fun and little bit of indulgence with your dinner – shrimp is always a good idea, especially when it is crispy. This is also a great weekend dinner to enjoy in the backyard once summer hits. These Crispy Shrimp Rolls will have the whole family chowing down with delight.
Grilled Cajun Shrimp – Some food just has an iconic flavor profile and needs to be celebrated! Like a good ol’ Cajun Shrimp Boil. Delicious shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, and of course Old Bay seasoning. A traditional boil also usually has potatoes, takes quite of bit of time to prepare, and does best in very large batches. So to address all three of those, I came up with these Grilled Cajun Shrimp skewers served up with grilled corn and some tasty dipping sauce.
Chipotle Shrimp & Cheesy Grits – Do you ever go to restaurant, read something that sounds amazing on the menu but when it comes out it’s just sort of meh? This recently happened to me and I just thought I can do better than what I was served. So I gave it a go with these Chipotle Shrimp & Cheesy Grits and I was, in fact, correct! The bold flavor of the chipotle in the tomato gravy with shrimp and andouille was on point. And you really can’t go wrong adding some cheese to your grits!
Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos – A little fusion cooking for your taco night is a way to keep the weekly tradition fun and light. This week why not try your hand at these Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos with you own homemade Bang Bang Sauce and hand battered crispy shrimp. This super quick meal is going to be super fun to serve up to your family.
Dill Shrimp Salad Sandwich – Summer is coming! And that calls for lighter, brighter dinners. It calls for dinner on the back porch or on the shore for a weeknight kayak adventure. Salad sandwiches are perfect for this sort of dinner idea. A simple Dill Shrimp Salad Sandwich is going to make your whole family so happy. It is also really quick to put together and only gets better the longer it sits.
Shrimp Corn Chowder – Corn chowder is a favorite of mine, because I can twist and change it to so many different flavor profiles. You have your base of broth, potato, corn and cream. Then can add in other veggies or proteins and different spices and flavors. For this Shrimp Corn Chowder, I added in paprika, thyme, shrimp and smoked ham for an exquisite chowder. The robust flavor that you get in just one hour.
Quick Shrimp Ceviche – If you are looking for a simple, flavorful and refreshing appetizer, lunch or snack – I have just the recipe for you! I call is a cheater dish – as you are getting the effect without the full efforts. This recipe for Quick Shrimp Ceviche lets you enjoy the delicious Peruvian flavors of Ceviche without risking the mistake of not fully curing the shrimp (or fish) with the citric juices. The delicious combination of onion, cucumber, onion and jalapeno with the lemon, lime and orange juices compliments the shrimp so very well.
Shrimp Scampi Couscous – Sometimes I like to make what my kids call a “fancy” meal. I try to make shrimp at least every other week. One of my son’s actually came up with the idea for this dish – one of his favorites is shrimp scampi and when I served couscous for the first time he immediately wanted to put the two together. And that is how Shrimp Scampi Couscous was born!
Lemon Basil Shrimp & Rice – Quick meals are what Homemade on a Weeknight is all about. This recipe basically only takes as long as it takes to make the rice and you are ready to serve it up. Lemon Basil Shrimp & Rice has got an incredible flavor profile, the whole family is going to love it. It is a fairly simple recipe, the lemon basil dressing really is the star of this show.
Shrimp & Peppers Orzo – This is a perfect dinner for a hot night – simple and bright and full of flavor. While many say you don’t do cheese and shellfish – but those people are wrong! Yes, I would say cheddar and shellfish are a no-no. But lots of other cheeses are perfect with shellfish – especially goat cheese and shrimp. You get that tang which is similar to the tang of citrus that goes so well with shellfish. Shrimp & Peppers Orzo is a delightful weeknight meal the whole family will love.
Sweet Spicy Sheet Pan Shrimp – Say that 10 times fast! Spicy Sweet Sheet Pan Shrimp might be a mouthful of a title…but it’s one you are going to enjoys chowing down on for sure! This beautiful dish is going to be a hit on the dinner table. It is simple to put together – just a little bit of veggie chopping, really. If you are like me and have been dreaming of a nice island getaway with all that is going on in the world – you need this dish in your life. And maybe a Lime Margarita or three!
Hope you enjoyed my selections of Shrimp Recipes – do you have a favorite? Which one will you be trying first?
Estelle Forrest self-published this cookbook after a lot of playing around in the kitchen. You can purchase your own copy here:
AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS
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I love shrimp and each of these recipes looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing your favorites!
These all look and sound so good! I LOVE shrimp.
I love seafood and especiallt shrimp! All your recipes look very appetizing– Pinned!
These sound amazing! I love shrimp!