50 Easy Shrimp Recipes for Weeknight Dinners
Updated: Jan. 5, 2022Looking for a shrimp recipe that's skimpy on prep time, jumbo on flavor? We've got plenty of them! These easy shrimp recipes include Italian, Caribbean and Asian flavors, so you can go far (even on weeknights).
1 / 50
Our Test Kitchen’s Favorite Easy Shrimp Dinners
If you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, try Fajita-Style Shrimp & Grits, Garlic Lemon Shrimp, Seafood Gumbo, Pesto Corn Salad with Shrimp and Spicy Shrimp with Rice.
2 / 50
Skewered Ginger Shrimp with Plums
Sweet, simple and sensational, these shrimp skewers boast loads of flavor with just four ingredients. Throw them on the grill for a quick dinner or tasty potluck dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
3 / 50
Popcorn Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
I love combining classic flavors in new ways. This healthy recipe combines crispy popcorn shrimp and tacos! It’s one of my family’s favorites. To make the tacos lower in carbs, use lettuce instead of tortillas. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, MarylandMake your weeknights easier with these 10 Products That Make Meal Planning Easy (Plus a Free Printable!).
4 / 50
Sesame Cilantro Shrimp
On days when I don't feel like spending much time in the kitchen, I reach for shrimp. I can have a hot meal in the table in 10 minutes. —Tami Penunuri, League City, TexasMake sure you’re using the right type of shrimp in your recipes.
5 / 50
Easy Seafood Salad
This super simple, deceptively delicious recipe was inspired by a seafood salad I had in the Bahamas that featured conch. I substituted crab and shrimp for the conch and like it even more! —Cindy Heyd, Edmond, Oklahoma 6 / 50
Easy Jambalaya
I brought this easy jambalaya to a Sunday potluck and it was quickly gobbled up. When friends asked me for the recipe, they couldn't believe how easy it was! —Tami Kuehl, Loup City, Nebraska 7 / 50
Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake
I like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what's available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia 8 / 50
Tequila Lime Shrimp Zoodles
This tangy shrimp is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. If you don't have a spiralizer, use thinly julienned zucchini to get a similar effect. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois 9 / 50
Light & Lemony Scampi
A touch more lemon helped me trim the calories in our favorite shrimp scampi recipe. For those who want to indulge, pass around the Parmesan. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts 10 / 50
Shrimp Cobb Salad
This shrimp cobb salad is quite healthy. I often use a grill pan, but you can simply saute, too. Feel free to use any greens you like. — Nicholas Monfre, Hudson, Florida 11 / 50
Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
My husband often ordered pineapple fried rice at Thai restaurants, so I surprised him by tweaking some similar recipes to come up with a version that's both simple and delicious. —Bonnie Brien, Pacific Grove, California 12 / 50
Coconut Chicken and Shrimp
I was looking for a fun, easy weeknight dinner based on our favorite shrimp dish that was healthier than fast food. This has become a favorite! —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York 13 / 50
Shrimp Fried Rice
This delectable shrimp fried rice is filled with color and taste that makes it vanish fast. Our family of four can't get enough of it. Bacon adds crispness and a hint of heartiness. Consider it when you need a different main dish or brunch item. —Sandra Thompson, White Hall, Arkansas 14 / 50
Cajun Boil on the Grill
I came up with these everything-in-one seafood packets for a family reunion, since the recipe can be increased to feed a bunch. The foil steams up inside, so open carefully. —Allison Brooks, Fort Collins, Colorado 15 / 50
Asparagus 'n' Shrimp with Angel Hair
We’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic dinner, this shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is one dish I like to serve. It’s easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two. —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland 16 / 50
True Shrimp Creole
An authentic Cajun dish, this tastes even better if refrigerated overnight to allow all the flavors to blend. 17 / 50
Thai Shrimp Salad for 2
Here's a deliciously different salad that blends grilled shrimp, a lean source of protein, with the low-calorie crunch of cucumber and onion. It's tossed and dressed with Thai flavors of sesame, cilantro, lime and refreshing mint. Annette Traverso - San Rafael, California 18 / 50
Feta Shrimp Tacos
A unique combination of taco seasoning and feta cheese works remarkably well in these refreshing tacos. It’s a goodthing you get two per serving, because you won’t want to stop at one! —Athena Russell, Florence, South Carolina 19 / 50
Ragin’ Cajun Eggplant and Shrimp Skillet
We always have a large summer garden where lots of produce lingers into fall. That's when we harvest our onion, bell pepper, tomatoes and eggplant, the main ingredient of this dish. This recipe turns Cajun with the Holy Trinity (onion, celery and bell pepper), shrimp and red pepper flakes. —Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri 20 / 50
Greek Shrimp Orzo
This is one of our favorites. It's delicious, satisfying and reheats well. My husband would rather have “the orzo dish” than go out to eat. Serve it with crusty bread and salad. —Molly Seidel, Edgewood, New Mexico 21 / 50
Cajun Grilled Shrimp
The kicked-up marinade on these shrimp makes this a flavor-packed dish. Serve over rice, and make sure to squeeze those charred lemons over top—that makes them taste extra bright and delicious. —Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin 22 / 50
Curry Shrimp
I created this Indian-style shrimp when we were entertaining some friends, one of our favorite things to do. It works on the stovetop or the grill. —Shana Conradt, Appleton, Wisconsin 23 / 50
Shrimp Pasta Primavera
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So when I invite that special guy to dinner, I like to prepare something equally wonderful. This well-seasoned pasta dish has lots of flavor, and it won't hurt your budget! —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland 24 / 50
One-Pan Sweet Chili Shrimp and Veggies
This one-pan shrimp and veggies recipe has everything I'm looking for in a weeknight family dinner: quick, flavorful, nutritious and all three of my kids will eat it! My oldest son loves shrimp and I thought it would work well as a sheet-pan supper. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah 25 / 50
Creole Shrimp Pizza
Pizza and the flavors of Creole cuisine blend amazingly well in this hearty dish with a crispy crust. Add more hot sauce to boost the heat if you like things spicy. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island 26 / 50
Bang Bang Shrimp Cake Sliders
My family loves these shrimp sliders. The bang bang slaw dressing and shrimp cake patties can be made ahead. When ready to serve, toss the cabbage slaw and sear the shrimp cakes, then assemble and enjoy. —Kim Banick, Salem Oregon 27 / 50
Spicy Coconut Shrimp with Quinoa
Help yourself to a plate full—generous servings are still lower in calories and big on protein. If you have company, you can add a salad and call it a day. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, CaliforniaPsst…This is the meal prep trick that makes life SO much easier.
28 / 50
Rosemary Shrimp with Spaghetti
I came up with this recipe on a busy weeknight when I was pressed for time. Now it’s my go-to dish whenever I need a quick, nutritious meal. Serve this with garlic bread so you can scoop every last bit of goodness off your plate! —Candace Havely, Sterling, Colorado 29 / 50
Grilled Pistachio-Lemon Pesto Shrimp
Besides tasting great with shrimp, this pesto can be used on pasta or spread on a portobello mushroom or garlic bread topped with melted mozzarella. —Amy Jo Dale, Long Beach, CaliforniaWant more? Here’s how to grill shrimp in 4 simple steps.
30 / 50
Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti
Served with a salad and garlic bread toast, this garlic shrimp spaghetti makes a tasty dinner. —June Foote, Spring Hill, Florida 31 / 50
Rosemary Garlic Shrimp
Delicate shrimp take on fabulous flavor when simmered in a chicken broth mixed with garlic and ripe olives. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 32 / 50
Thai Shrimp Soup
This tasty soup comes together in minutes, and it’s a crowd pleaser. The ingredients are available in my little Maine grocery store, too. —Jessie Grearson-Sapat, Falmouth, Maine 33 / 50
Lemony Shrimp & Snow Pea Pasta
This pretty pasta is a family favorite —the kids love the light lemony flavor and I love that they devour the fresh veggies. You can use other types of pasta for variety, like bow ties or corkscrews. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas 34 / 50
Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce forms a crispy shell that's full of possibilities, depending on what's in your fridge. Swap shrimp for cooked chicken, pork or tofu. Mix in any veggies you want: carrots, broccoli, snow peas and chopped zucchini are all fantastic add-ins. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 35 / 50
Mediterranean Shrimp 'n' Pasta
Sun-dried tomatoes and curry take center stage in this pasta dish. This is one of my husband's favorites for special occasions. — Shirley Kunde, Rhinelander, Wisconsin 36 / 50
Ginger-Chutney Shrimp Stir-Fry
I made this recipe a lot when I was juggling college, work and a growing family. It tastes like you spent a lot of time making it, yet only takes minutes to pull together. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan 37 / 50
Broccoli Shrimp Alfredo
After tasting fettuccine Alfredo at a restaurant, I came up with this shrimp Alfredo with broccoli version at home. Not only does my family love the creamy dish, but my husband prefers it to the one at the restaurant. —Rae Natoli, Kingston, New York 38 / 50
Barbecued Shrimp & Peach Kabobs
Shrimp grilled with peaches and green onions really sets off fireworks! The spicy seasonings even helped me win a ribbon at a county fair. —Jen Smallwood, Portsmouth, Virginia 39 / 50
Shrimp and Grits
For a sweet and spicy meal, I serve shrimp and vegetables in a honey, lemon juice, pepper sauce alongside dressed-up grits. It's my fresh spin on the southern classic. —Judith King, Madisonville, Tennessee 40 / 50
Thai Shrimp Stir-Fry
Peanut butter gives this tasty blend of red peppers, snow peas and shrimp its Thai flavor, while ginger and red pepper flakes spice it up. Serve this colorful main dish over pasta. —Jeanne Fisher, Simi Valley, California. 41 / 50
West African Shrimp
My girls have always loved seafood, so I invented a shrimp dish with coconut milk and ginger. They raved; I was delighted. It's great with jasmine rice. —Sharon Scaletta, Johnstown, Pennsylvania 42 / 50
Grilled Lemon-Dill Shrimp
This grilled shrimp is one of my go-to recipes when I stare at the freezer and draw a blank. Add veggies if desired, but grill them separately. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida 43 / 50
Sesame Noodles with Shrimp & Snap Peas
Stir-fries and busy nights are a match made in heaven. For a boost of vibrant color and freshness, I sometimes stir in chopped cilantro just before I serve it from the pan. —Nedra Schell, Fort Worth, Texas 44 / 50
Hearty Shrimp Risotto
Super creamy and packed with shrimp, this impressive Italian meal maker is special enough to serve company. Laced with the warm flavors of white wine, goat cheese and fresh spinach, it’s scrumptious, comforting and so fast! —Lydia Becker, Parkville, Missouri 45 / 50
Quick & Easy New Orleans Shrimp
I’ve simplified my mom's Shrimp Creole—she made it for us growing up. Now it's effortless comfort food I make for my own family. —Crystal Milne, Urbana, Illinois 46 / 50
Dijon Shrimp with Pasta
I combined several family recipes to create this dish, which I like to serve when we have company. If my husband had his way, I’d make it every night. —Gail Cawsey, Geneseo, Illinois 47 / 50
Shrimp Fajitas
I’ve lost 50 pounds recently and my husband, Jere, has lost 65. We’re always looking for tasty ways to keep the weight off. I think working moms would love it as much as we do because it's so quick and easy. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida 48 / 50
Grilled Shrimp & Tomatoes with Linguine
This pasta came about one night when I started making up dinner as I went along, using what I had on hand. We knew it turned out amazing with the very first bite. —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi 49 / 50
Shrimp & Feta Skillet
My friend’s feisty Italian grandmother, Gemma, makes a dish similar to my shrimp with tomatoes. When I make this recipe, I think of Gemma and smile while stirring. —Celeste Ehrenberg, Topeka, Kansas 50 / 50
Shrimp Piccata
This easy recipe is part of a meal plan along with "Balsamic Brioled Asparagus". I typically serve this with crusty french bread and Balsamic Broiled Asparagus. Originally Published: July 27, 2020
CMU Unit
