How do I know when shrimp are cooked?

They turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C shape. A tight O means they are overcooked.

Should I buy shrimp shell-on?

Shell-on shrimp are juicier and often cheaper; peel them yourself, or cook them in the shell for boils and shrimp cocktail.

Shrimp Recipes

Shrimp scampi over angel hair pasta with garlic and parsley

Shrimp cooks in minutes and takes to almost any flavor, which makes it the most versatile seafood in the kitchen. Here is every shrimp recipe on the site, from garlicky scampi and Lowcountry shrimp and grits to tacos, pad thai and a big Cajun seafood boil.

Most of these are ready in 30 minutes or less. Large shrimp, 21 to 30 per pound, work for nearly all of them.

20 recipes

Quick dinners

Shrimp Scampi and Pasta30 min total
A light shrimp scampi: shrimp poached in a garlic, shallot and parsley chicken broth and served over angel-hair pasta with the broth spooned on top.
Shrimp Fra Diavolo40 min total | 4 servings
Shrimp seared and simmered in a spicy tomato sauce with garlic, white wine, oregano and red pepper flakes, served over linguine. Serves 4.
Shrimp and Grits50 min total | 4 servings
Creamy stone-ground Cheddar grits topped with shrimp sauteed with bacon, garlic and green onion in a spicy lemon pan sauce. The Lowcountry classic. Serves 4.
Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema25 min total | 4 servings (12 tacos)
Chili-lime shrimp seared in minutes and tucked into warm corn tortillas with crunchy cabbage, avocado, pickled onion and a cool lime crema. Serves 4.
Shrimp Fajitas30 min total | 4 servings
Spiced shrimp seared on a sizzling skillet with charred bell peppers and onions, squeezed with lime and wrapped in warm tortillas. Dinner in 30 minutes; serves 4.
Sheet Pan Shrimp with Sausage and Vegetables35 min total | 4 servings
Shrimp, smoked sausage, zucchini, bell peppers and red onion tossed with Cajun seasoning and roasted on one pan in about 20 minutes. Serves 4.
Air Fryer Shrimp16 min total | 4 servings
Large shrimp tossed with olive oil, garlic, paprika and a little Parmesan and air-fried in 6 minutes until crisp-edged and juicy. Serves 4.
Baked Shrimp with Garlic Parmesan Crumbs30 min total | 4 servings
Baked shrimp tossed in melted butter and topped with garlic, Parmesan and seasoned bread crumbs. About 30 minutes from start to finish and it serves 4.
Gochujang Garlic Shrimp23 min total | 4 servings
Large shrimp seared in a hot skillet, then tossed in a sticky glaze of gochujang, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar and plenty of butter-sauteed garlic. Ready in about 25 minutes; serves 4.

Asian and Indian

Shrimp Pad Thai35 min total | 4 servings
Rice noodles stir-fried with shrimp, egg and a tangy tamarind, fish sauce and palm sugar sauce, topped with bean sprouts, peanuts, green onions and lime. Serves 4.
Salt and Pepper Shrimp25 min total | 4 servings
Shrimp dusted in cornstarch and fried until crisp, then tossed with garlic, sliced chiles, green onions and a seasoned salt and pepper mix. Serves 4.
Tandoori Shrimp56 min total | 4 servings
Shrimp marinated in spiced yogurt with garam masala, paprika, ginger and garlic, grilled on skewers until charred, and served with mint chutney. Serves 4.

Appetizers

Classic Shrimp Cocktail55 min total | 6 servings
Large shrimp poached in a lemony court bouillon, chilled on ice and served with a zesty homemade horseradish cocktail sauce. Serves 6.
Shrimp Ceviche47 min total | 6 servings
Briefly poached shrimp marinated in lime juice with tomato, cucumber, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro and avocado. Bright, cool and ready in 45 minutes. Serves 6.
Shrimp Mold3 hr 30 min total | About 5 cups
A retro party favorite: tomato soup and cream cheese melted with gelatin, mixed with tiny shrimp, onion, celery and mayonnaise, chilled in a mold and served with crackers. Makes about 5 cups.
Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toast)25 min total | 4 servings
Sweet cold-water shrimp folded into a dill, lemon and crème fraîche dressing and piled on butter-fried toast, topped with roe and fresh dill. Serves 4 as a starter.
Räksmörgås (Swedish Open-Faced Shrimp Sandwich)30 min total | 4 sandwiches
The classic Swedish shrimp sandwich: buttered bread layered with lettuce, sliced egg and a generous pile of cold-water shrimp, finished with mayonnaise, cucumber, lemon and dill. Serves 4.

Boils and stews

Cajun Seafood Boil55 min total | 6 servings
Shrimp, snow crab legs, corn, red potatoes and smoked sausage boiled in a spicy Cajun-seasoned broth and tossed with garlic butter. Serves 6.
Creole Jambalaya1 hr 10 min total | 6 to 8 servings
A one-pot New Orleans rice dish of andouille, chicken and shrimp cooked with tomatoes, the holy trinity and Creole spices. Serves 6 to 8.
Cioppino (San Francisco Seafood Stew)1 hr 10 min total | 6 servings
The Italian-American fisherman's stew of San Francisco: clams, mussels, shrimp and firm white fish simmered in a garlicky tomato and white wine broth. Serve with sourdough. Serves 6.

Common questions

How do I know when shrimp are cooked?: They turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C shape. A tight O means they are overcooked.
Should I buy shrimp shell-on?: Shell-on shrimp are juicier and often cheaper; peel them yourself, or cook them in the shell for boils and shrimp cocktail.