30+ Tasty Shrimp Recipes for a Quick Dinner

by Sabrina Snyder

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This collection of easy shrimp dinners is packed with ideas with lots of flavor. They are great for any midweek meal when you need variety and style.

three image collage of shrimp meals

Shrimp is normally either a classic cocktail appetizer or fire-grilled for a surf and turf dinner, and for good reason! These little ocean snacks are perfect for making with a wide variety of flavors. From simple Shrimp Tacos with fresh lime zest to hearty Creamy Shrimp Pasta, you’ll be sure to find a fantastic and quick dinner idea that you can try this week.

Easy Shrimp Recipes

Quick and fancy dinner recipes with succulent shrimp.

Note from Sabrina

Shrimp are sized by how many you get per pound in the bag, so larger shrimp (like 16–25 count) are great for hearty meals here, like the pastas and fajitas; while medium shrimp (26–40 count) cook quickly and work well in stir-fries and the lighter recipes like the tacos. And if you want them to stay juicy and tender, don’t overcook: pull them out as soon as they turn completely pink.

Simple Shrimp Meals

Keep it simple. Keep it tasty. And keep it coming with these bold and brilliant shrimp dinner ideas!

glazed seafood with veggies in dish
Shrimp Stir-fry Recipe
Shrimp Stir-fry is a quick, vibrant dish that comes together in about 20 minutes, giving you a light, flavorful meal in no time! Try it today!
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Close up of shrimp with rice and broccoli in bowl.
Garlic Butter Sautéed Shrimp Recipe
Garlic Butter Sautéed Shrimp is super easy to make, delivering bold savory flavor with a rich buttery base, slight spice, and citrusy finish.
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Shrimp Roll on a plate with potato chips
Shrimp Roll Sandwich Recipe
The Shrimp Roll Sandwich is a shrimp salad stuffed into a buttery, toasted bun. It's a quick family dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes!
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Several shrimp on a white serving platter
Roasted Shrimp Recipe
Roasted Shrimp is an easy peel-and-eat shrimp recipe that will be a hit as an appetizer or as a main course. Perfect in just 15 minutes!
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Roasted Shrimp in baking dish 1x1
Roasted Old Bay Shrimp Recipe
Roasted Old Bay Shrimp is the easiest summer appetizer that is baked in minutes and everyone is sure to enjoy. Ready in about 15 minutes!
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cooked shrimp in a skillet
Easy Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe
Easy Honey Garlic Shrimp is a one-pan, sweet and savory Chinese dish, ready in 10 minutes. Made with Just 5 common pantry ingredients!
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Plate with hoagie sandwich and a side of mayo.
Shrimp Sandwich
This Shrimp Sandwich is the perfect way to enjoy crispy blackened shrimp in a restaurant style sandwich. Great for lunch or a casual dinner.
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Quick Classic Shrimp Dinners

These one-pan/skillet recipes are perfect to serve with various kinds of Rice or Noodles.

Crispy shrimp served over pasta 4x3
Pan Fried Shrimp Recipe
Pan Fried Shrimp is the ultimate recipe for tender shrimp coated in a flavorful spice blend. Quick and easy recipe for juicy shrimp.
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Shrimp finished in a bowl with lime wedges, black beans, rice, and avocado close up
Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Easy Cilantro Lime Shrimp is a quick summer dinner recipe of jumbo shrimp sautéed in butter and garlic with a fresh lime and cilantro sauce.
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plate of grilled shrimp on a skewer with lime wedges and cilantro garnish
Easy Grilled Shrimp
Easy Grilled Shrimp is the ultimate and easy appetizer dish flavored in a honey, garlic, and paprika marinade, and grilled to crispy perfection.
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Bowl with shrimp in sauce and bread on side
Drunken Shrimp Recipe
Drunken Shrimp is a flavorful, spicy shrimp recipe made in a buttery sauce with tomato, beer, and hot sauce.
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Stir fried Kung Pao Shrimp
Kung Pao Shrimp
Kung Pao Shrimp is a Chinese food restaurant classic. It's a spicy garlic stir fry that's healthy, easy and ready in about 20 minutes!
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Bacon Shrimp with Garlic
Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Shrimp
Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Shrimp, the best shrimp appetizer you’ll ever eat with only 4 Ingredients. Sticky, crispy, sweet and garlicky, the PERFECT weeknight meal.
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Pesto Shrimp in Pan
Pesto Shrimp
Pesto Shrimp made with homemade pesto is the easiest and most flavorful shrimp with an herby, Parmesan flavor and it looks so impressive!
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Shrimp and Pasta

Perfect for fancy date nights, rainy nights, or any night for that matter!

Pasta and shrimp on serving plate 1x1
Classic Shrimp Alfredo
Classic Shrimp Alfredo is a fresh seafood version of the classic pasta. The perfectly seasoned shrimp cooks quick and adds wonderful flavor!
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a forkful of Shrimp vodka sauce pasta garnished with fresh parsley in a bowl
Shrimp Vodka Sauce Pasta
Make Shrimp Vodka Sauce Pasta at home with our easy recipe. Enjoy the perfect blend of shrimp, creamy sauce, and parmesan. Try it today!
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Spaghetti and pine nuts, with pesto sauce and Parmesan.
Shrimp Pesto Pasta Recipe
Shrimp Pesto Pasta is a 30 minute dinner topped with homemade sauce and parmesan cheese for a fresh, bright, and savory flavor in every bite.
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Shrimp Chow Mein in bowl with fork
Shrimp Chow Mein Recipe
Shrimp Chow Mein is a homemade version of your favorite take-out. These noodles are easy to make, ready in 20 minutes, and full of flavor!
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square cropped photo of Shrimp Scampi Pasta
Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe
Shrimp Scampi Pasta just like you order at your favorite Italian restaurant with an butter wine sauce with tons of garlic and Parmesan cheese.
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Dinner plate with pasta and shrimp tossed in sauce.
Creamy Shrimp Pasta Recipe
Creamy Shrimp Pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner with creamy and cheesy sauce, crisp-tender shrimp, and flavorful spices over pasta.
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Pasta and shrimp dish in shallow dinner bowl.
Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi Recipe
This Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi copycat recreates your favorite pasta dish with bright crisp bites, coated in a rich aromatic sauce.
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Quick Jalapeno Alfredo Shrimp Pasta
A rich, spicy, creamy shrimp pasta for nights when you are looking for something special but quick and easy.
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Internationally Inspired Dishes

No need to have a passport or plane ticket to try these delicious flavors!

top view Shrimp Enchiladas on plate 4x3
Shrimp Enchiladas
Shrimp Enchiladas are a tasty Mexican dish of rolled flour tortillas with a creamy tender shrimp filling topped with salsa verde and cheese.
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Shrimp Curry in serving bowl topped with cilantro
Indian Coconut Shrimp Curry Recipe
Indian Coconut Shrimp Curry is a flavor-packed recipe with rich, spiced curry sauce and juicy shrimp. Try this tasty 20-minute dinner tonight!
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Shrimp Fajitas plated with rice, mostly shrimp and veggies in shot
Shrimp Fajitas
Skillet Shrimp Fajitas recipe with plump shrimp, peppers and onions in homemade fajita seasoning. Make these easy fajitas for dinner tonight!
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Thai Peanut Shrimp with crushed peanuts
Thai Peanut Shrimp
Thai Peanut Shrimp has all the complex Thai restaurant flavors with a homemade peanut sauce with honey, garlic, ginger and lime in just 20 minutes!
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Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp on serving plate over rice 1x1
Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp is cooked quickly in a skillet with flavorful garlic butter, and seasoned with paprika and spicy cayenne pepper.
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Pad Thai in bowl with lime wedges
Easy Pad Thai Recipe
Easy Pad Thai with Shrimp is perfect for a family meal or a party appetizer. Ready in less than 30 minutes and so much better than takeout!
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Shrimp in Lobster Sauce with large shrimp and peas and carrots
Shrimp in Lobster Sauce
Shrimp in Lobster Sauce is an easy, budget friendly recipe for Chinese food at home! Stir-fried shrimp, carrots, and frozen peas in a rich garlic sauce.
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Easy Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Shrimp tacos are a flavorful, quick, and easy dinner that comes together in minutes. Perfect for a healthy weeknight meal!
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Bold Southern Shrimp Dishes

There’s not much that goes better with shrimp than the bold spices and flavors of southern cooking!

Cooked shrimp in sauce in skillet
Shrimp Étouffée Recipe
Shrimp Étouffée is classic Cajun dish of tender shrimp in an irresistible buttery tomato sauce with bold spicy flavor. Ready in 30 minutes!
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Shallow bowl with rice and saucy shrimp.
Shrimp Creole
Shrimp Creole is a delicious, easy recipe for juicy shrimp in a thick sauce made with the spicy bold flavors of classic Creole seasonings.
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Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and Grits is a classic southern dish with a delicious and easy grits recipe topped with a creole shrimp and bacon mixture in just 45 minutes.
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Cajun Shrimp cooked and garnished shrimp on plate with lemon wedges
Cajun Shrimp
Cajun Shrimp is a quick and easy seafood dish of tender, juicy shrimp tossed in a homemade seasoning with bold spices and sauteed in butter.
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shrimp, potatoes, sausage and corn in a pot
Easy Shrimp Boil Recipe
Easy Shrimp Boil is a one-pot Southern classic bursting with bold flavor, perfectly cooked, and ready to enjoy in an hour! Try it out soon!
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Cooked blackened seasoned shrimp in sauté pan with butter.
Blackened Shrimp
Blackened Shrimp is an ultra-easy stovetop meal made with homemade blackened seasoning and cooked to crisp, buttery perfection.
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Aerial view, finished in bowl
Ultimate Seafood Gumbo Recipe
My Ultimate Seafood Gumbo recipe for a traditional New Orleans dish made with okra, andouille sausage, shrimp, crab, and Cajun seasoning.
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Plated shrimp with lemon and parsley
BBQ Cajun Shrimp Recipe
BBQ Cajun Shrimp is a New Orleans favorite with buttery shrimp, lemon, and spices. It's the delicious, messy dish you'll crave all summer!
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If you’re looking for more shellfish and seafood favorites, be sure to check out my over 100+ Seafood Recipe options. There’s something for everyone. Also, be sure to let me know in the comments below which shrimp recipe you want to try next!

3 image collage of shrimp dishes with ingredient lists

About the Author: Sabrina Snyder

Sabrina is a professionally trained Private Chef of over 10 years with ServSafe Manager certification in food safety. She creates all the recipes here on Dinner, then Dessert, fueled in no small part by her love for bacon.

Sabrina Snyder is a professionally trained personal and private chef of over 10 years who is the creator and developer of all the recipes on Dinner, then Dessert.

She is also the author of the cookbook Dinner, then Dessert – Satisfying Meals Using Only 3, 5 or 7 Ingredients, published by Harper Collins.

She started Dinner, then Dessert as a business in her office as a lunch service for her coworkers who admired her lunches before going to culinary school and becoming a full time personal chef and private chef.

As a personal chef Sabrina would cook for families one day a week and cook their entire week of dinners. All grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning was done along with instructions on reheating. As a private chef she cooked for private parties and cooked in family homes in the evenings for families on a nightly basis after working as a personal chef during the day.

Sabrina has been certified as a ServSafe Manager since 2007 and was a longstanding member of the USPCA Personal Chef Association including being on the board of the Washington DC Chapter of Chefs in the US Personal Chef Association when they won Chapter of the year.

As a member of the community of food website creators Sabrina Snyder has spoken at many conferences regarding her experiences as a food writer including the Indulge Food Conference, Everything Food Conference, Haven Food Conference and IACP Annual Food Professionals Conference.

Sabrina lives with her family in sunny California.

See more posts by Sabrina

Dinner, then Dessert, Inc. owns the copyright on all images and text and does not allow for its original recipes and pictures to be reproduced anywhere other than at this site unless authorization is given. Read my disclosure and copyright policy. This post may contain affiliate links.

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