Irresistible Shrimp Recipes for Easy Dinners

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com
Updated June 11, 2020
Credit: Jay Wilde

America’s favorite shellfish may be small in size, but they swing big on a weeknight—healthy, fast-cooking and always up for a flavor adventure.

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Chipotle Shrimp Scampi

Credit: Jay Wilde
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This south-of-the-border variation on a classic Italian-American dish has a little smoky heat. It's a quick weeknight dinner, served over hot rice.

Shrimp tips from our Test Kitchen:

QUICK THAW For convenience and price, you can’t beat frozen shrimp. (Most “fresh” shrimp at the market are just defrosted anyway.) To thaw quickly, immerse the bag in cold water.

TAIL OR NO TAIL? The tails left on shrimp can be bothersome when eating, but they look nice. You choose whether to leave ’em on or take ’em off.

DEVEIN The dark vein running down a shrimp’s back is not pretty (or appetizing). Use a knife to cut a slit down the center of the back, then lift out the vein with the tip.

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Pickled Shrimp Po' Boys

Credit: Jay Wilde
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This recipe knocked our swim fins off. The shrimp soak in a lemony marinade with onion and peppers— a light and tangy twist on the classic fried seafood sandwich.

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Vietnamese Shrimp and Noodle Bowls

Credit: Jay Wilde
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These bowls check all the boxes with layers of flavors, textures and temperatures. Grab your chopsticks and dig in!

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Coconut Shrimp and Watermelon Salad

Credit: Jay Wilde
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This fresh and flavorful salad is a perfect dinner for a hot night, especially with a glass of crisp white wine. Be sure to use unsweetened coconut for the best flavor.

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Dilled Shrimp and Orzo Bowl

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Dill, shrimp and a hint of vinegar shine in this light, veggie-filled dish.

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Spicy Shrimp and Sugar Snap Pea Kabobs

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Ready in 30 minutes, these kabobs call for shrimp, sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes brushed with a kicky Sriracha-based sauce.

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Spicy Shrimp Tom-Yum

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This classic Thai soup usually starts with simmering shrimp shells to make stock. We opted for a shortcut, adding tomato, mushroom and shrimp to boxed seafood stock that we flavored with lemongrass and galangal (a knobby cousin to ginger).

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Garlic Shrimp

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You aren't misreading the recipe: This classic Spanish appetizer delivers a lusty punch of roughly one garlic clove for every three shrimp! Serve with a crusty baguette for mopping up the luscious sauce.

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Orange Shrimp with Zucchini Fritters

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A colorful, healthy dinner of shrimp and vegetable fritters includes dipping sauce with Greek yogurt and orange-ginger flavoring.

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Spanish Rice with Chicken and Shrimp

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This easy entree starts with rice pilaf mix. Add chicken, shrimp, tomatoes, and peppers to make a flavorful 30-minute dinner.

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Shrimp with Warm Coleslaw

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Bacon punches up this easy 5-ingredient meal, ready in just 30 minutes.

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Paella-Style Rice with Ham and Shrimp

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Ham stands in for sausage in this one-skillet dinner inspired by traditional Spanish paella. Sop up the juices with warm crusty bread.

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Caribbean Shrimp Kabobs

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These weeknight-easy skewers marry gently spiced shrimp with juicy pineapple. Serve with rice and a fresh lettuce salad.

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Pepper-Lime Shrimp and Grits

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Mexican flavors give a fresh twist to this classic Southern dish.

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Marinated Lime Shrimp

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We created this dish as an appetizer, but it works great as a salad topper, too. Marinate cooked shrimp a couple hours before dinner, then drain and serve over lettuce with peppers, cucumber or whatever veggies you have on hand. Add tortilla strips for a crunchy finishing touch.

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By The editors of MidwestLiving.com