America loves its shrimp—just look at this wide variety of shrimp recipes! And according to an in-depth investigation into America’s love of this sweet yet savory crustacean by Consumer Reports, Americans eat, on average, almost four pounds of shrimp per year. With many shellfish to sample, shopping for shrimp can be confusing. That’s why we put together this handy guide for all the types of shrimp you might buy.
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Editor’s Tip: You can buy deveined shrimp or learn how to clean shrimp at home.
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Farmed vs. Wild
Before we differentiate tiger prawns from rock shrimp, let’s get into the basics of how shrimp comes to your supermarket. Shrimp is either farmed or caught out in the wild. According to Consumer Reports’ investigation, it’s best to shop for sustainably farmed or responsibly caught shrimp. This ensures that your shrimp makes its way to your table in an eco-friendly way. In general, follow these two guidelines:
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- For wild shrimp, look for certification from the Marine Stewardship Council or shrimp listed as “Best Choice” or “Good Alternative” on seafoodwatch.org.
- For farmed shrimp, look for certification from Naturland, Aquaculture Stewardship Council or Whole Foods Responsibly Farmed.
Shrimp vs. Prawns
Let’s talk about the difference between shrimp and prawns. Some folks think that shrimps are just, well, shrimpier prawns, but that’s not the case. On the surface, shrimp look different—they have that trademark bend or curl to their body while prawns do not. They also have some other distinct biological differences (the types of gills and claws), but we won’t bore you with that.
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What’s important to know is that these two can be used interchangeably, so if your local grocer is out of rock shrimp but you see tiger prawns are on sale, it’s an OK substitution.
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Types of Shrimp
Rock Shrimp
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Rock shrimp get their name from their rock-hard shells, and are usually sold cleaned and de-shelled since the process is pretty challenging. Flavor-wise, rock shrimp taste very similar to lobster—they even have a lobster-like texture. So this is a great substitute if you’re looking for the flavor of lobster with the ease of preparation of shrimp. Looking for recipes? Learn how to make shrimp ceviche.
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White Shrimp
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The term “white shrimp” covers many different species of shrimp, all of which are translucent blueish-greenish when raw but pink when cooked, and all of which tend to be sweet, tender and easy-to-peel. These shrimp are tender with a sweet flavor. Most of the time, generic white shrimp is actually Pacific white shrimp or whiteleg shrimp for those of you that want to know exactly what species you’re cooking.
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Learn how to grill shrimp in no time!
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Pink Shrimp
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Pink Shrimp, like white shrimp, is a blanket term used for several species of shrimp that are generally pink when raw, though the hues can range from almost white to almost gray. Most are small in size and are sometimes designated as “salad shrimp” (because they go well in shrimp salad). Overall, these shrimp are mild and sweet.
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FYI, this is how to clean and devein shrimp the right way.
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Spot Prawns
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This one is a bit of a paradox. First of all, biologically speaking, spot prawns are shrimp. Second, these shrimps are jumbo, growing up to 12 inches in length. Aside from their size, you can tell a spot prawn by its spikes and by the fact that it’s easy to tear them in half while peeling them. Spot prawns tend be wild-caught off the coasts of Alaska, California, Washington and British Columbia, and fetch a heftier price than most other shrimp (and prawns).
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Tiger Prawns
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You can tell tiger prawns (or tiger shrimp) by the telltale striping on the body. These prawns are mostly found in Asia but there are some non-native populations off the East Coast as well. Like spot prawns, tiger prawns can grow enormous in size (up to 12 inches long). Whether farmed or fresh, they have a strong shrimp flavor.
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Brown Shrimp
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Brown shrimp have reddish-brown shells with dark green and red tail-fan appendages. Along with white shrimp, they are the most commonly sold American wild-caught shrimp and come primarily from the Gulf of Mexico. They may also be referred to as “summer,” “redtail” or “golden” shrimp. These shrimp tend to have a firm texture and a mild, mineral-like taste.
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Need more shrimp in your life? Here's what to make next!
Taste of Home
Seasoned with
store-bought hot sauce and a melange of green peppers, parsley and pimientos, the zippy, spicy tomato sauce sets this shrimp recipe apart from the pack. As a bonus, it's healthy, low in fat and full of fresh flavors. Serve with hot rice.
Buttery Grilled ShrimpA simple seasoned butter delivers an outsized flavor blast in this speedy grilled shrimp recipe. On the off chance that you have leftovers, pop them in the fridge and add to salads for an easy, delicious protein.
Shrimp Cakes with Spicy Aioli SauceLooking for a crowd-pleasing shrimp recipe, even for those who don't love shrimp? Make these breaded, lightly pan-fried cakes. The recipe includes a jazzed-up mayonnaise dip, but to make it a
kid-friendly meal, you can use plain ketchup.
Fresh Shrimp and Avocado NachosThis delicious, hearty nacho platter is a perfect
potluck appetizer. Transform it into a healthy-ish dinner by swapping the chips for a mix of crisp greens, like romaine and shredded cabbage.
Foil-Packet Shrimp and Sausage JambalayaLove the spicy, smoky flavors of jambalaya but not the hours of cooking time it requires? Try this simple shrimp recipe, which packs all the classic flavors into easy baked foil packets. At dinner time, everyone gets to unwrap their own meal—yum!
Pesto Shrimp PastaSauteed asparagus and herby pesto give this tasty pasta dinner a fresh, light finish that's perfect for spring. While the recipe calls for making a simple homemade pesto sauce, you can also use
store-bought for a quick weeknight dinner. Just add a squeeze of fresh lemon to each bowl before serving.
Bang Bang Shrimp Cake SlidersPerfect for a party or a festive family dinner, these crispy, spicy shrimp sliders are delicious. Both the homemade
Sriracha-spiced slaw and the shrimp cakes can be prepared ahead of time. When it's time to serve, just sear the cakes and dress the buns.
Learn how to make
Bang Bang Shrimp just like Bonefish Grill.
Orzo Shrimp StewNever tried orzo? Technically a small pasta, it's versatile enough to pass as a grain too. Like many of our favorite
orzo recipes, this one shows off all the flavor of the added ingredients: broccoli, tomatoes and, of course, shrimp!
Cajun ShrimpThis
quick skillet dinner puts dinner on the table in well under 30 minutes. The simple spice mix is easy to customize to your family's tolerance for spice.
Curry Shrimp LinguineMild-flavored shrimp tastes great with flavors from around the world. This
curry, made creamy with the addition of coconut milk, is an easy twist on the usual shrimp pasta dinner. Serve with linguine noodles, Thai noodles or rice.
Meaty Slow-Cooked JambalayaLong-simmering, labor-intensive jambalaya is easy to make in the slow cooker! This rich, flavorful Cajun stew makes a hearty meal on a cold night. Serve with rice,
cornbread, corn on the cob or sauteed greens.
Southern Shrimp and GritsAs delicious for brunch as for breakfast-for-dinner, this yummy shrimp recipe is packed with classic
Southern flavors. Cheesy, savory grits make a comforting base for Cajun-spiced, bacon-dotted shrimp.
Shrimp ‘n’ Noodle BowlsA trick to getting dinner on the table fast? Using store-bought ingredients to fill out a homemade dinner. Bottled salad dressing and bagged slaw mix make this tasty shrimp dish come together in minutes. You can serve these bowls hot or chilled.
Lemon Shrimp with Parmesan RiceThis shrimp supper is classic for a reason: it's just really, really good. The fresh, slightly sweet flavor of shrimp is nicely seasoned with lemon and garlic, with the piping hot Parmesan rice adding a savory note. As a bonus, it's a completely
gluten-free dinner.
Angel Hair Shrimp BakeThis shrimp dinner is fancy enough to serve at a dinner party. A scattering of fresh herbs brightens the shrimp, asparagus and mushroom mixture.
Asparagus ‘n’ Shrimp with Angel HairThis creamy shrimp casserole will win ooh's of admiration, whether you serve it at a dinner party or for Sunday dinner. Made with three kinds of cheese, the recipe is comforting but doesn't taste heavy thanks to a dose of salsa, tangy yogurt and fresh herbs. It's one of our favorite
13x9 recipes.
Garden-Fresh Seafood CocktailWhat's more refreshing than shrimp cocktail? This twist on the classic recipe calls for fresh vegetables as well as a spiced dressing made with lime juice and adobo seasoning.
Shrimp & Nectarine SaladLike grilled chicken or salmon, shrimp is a welcome addition to many
salads, turning them into a complete meal. Here, sweet-tart nectarines balance tomatoes, corn and fresh greens.
Feta Shrimp TacosPut a southwestern spin on shrimp with these tasty tacos. A homemade slaw, made tangy with Miracle Whip and vinegar, adds fresh zip to the savory tacos.
Cilantro Lime ShrimpSometimes, you just want a simple shrimp recipe that shows off the rich, sweet flavor. These skewered shrimp cook up in minutes on the grill, and they make for a tasty appetizer or main dish alongside plenty of
grilled sides.
Shrimp MontereyThis shrimp recipe is special enough for company, but it's surprisingly easy to make. A simple skillet of buttery, garlicky shrimp gets a zesty twist with the addition of Monterey Jack cheese. Serve over pasta, rice or
zucchini noodles.
Shrimp ChowderRich, creamy and cheesy shrimp chowder is the perfect meal on any chilly, rainy day. This top-rated slow cooker recipe only takes about four hours to cook, so start in the afternoon to have it on the table by dinner. You will need to add a few ingredients to the pot as it cooks, so make it on a day that you're staying home.
Shrimp Fried RiceThere's lots to love about stir-fry. It's a quick one-pan meal, and you can toss in just about any veggie you've got in the fridge or freezer. Fussy eaters tend to enjoy it. And it's much cheaper than
take-out. This shrimp fried rice is a perfect (and top-rated) example.
Lemon & Dill Shrimp SandwichesThese light, lemony sandwiches prove that simple pleasures are often the best. If you have leftover shrimp in the fridge, go ahead and use it in this recipe, reheating briefly in a pan or simply serving cold.
Party ShrimpThe platter of shrimp is always the first to empty at a party. This simple marinated shrimp recipe is so tasty, you won't even need to make a dipping sauce.
Prepping the shrimp is the hardest part, so if you're on a time crunch, buy deveined shrimp instead.
Shrimp GazpachoGazpacho, a chilled tomato soup, is the perfect summer meal. This recipe elevates the simple soup with the addition of shrimp, avocado and a dash of lime. Next, try these
easy shrimp recipes tonight.
Shrimp TartletsThese tiny tartlets look as if they've taken all day to put together, but they're simple to assemble using store-bought mini phyllo tart shells, bottled cocktail sauce and cream cheese. While they're a natural choice for a
fancy party appetizer, they're also a delicious dinner with a fresh salad and crusty bread.
Seafood CioppinoIf slow-cooker soup sounds like it would be muddy and bland, you need new
slow-cooker soup recipes! This seafood-packed soup is full of flavor, and it tastes (and looks) good enough for a special occasion.
White Seafood LasagnaA little bit fancy but completely comforting, this lasagna is the dish to serve for your next special occasion. Since it's meat-free, it's a great choice for Easter season, or serve it before Christmas in honor of the traditional Italian "
Feast of the Seven Fishes."
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