10+ Shrimp Dinner Recipes for Easy and Delicious Meals

Shrimp dinners are such a solid choice when you want something tasty but don’t have a ton of time. There’s so much you can do with shrimp, and honestly, it’s hard to get bored.

Whether you’re craving something quick and simple or you want to try a fancier dish, shrimp’s got your back.

You can whip up a bunch of flavorful shrimp dishes with just a few ingredients and not much effort. Shrimp cook in a flash and pair well with all sorts of flavors.

That makes them perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re aiming for something special but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

You’ll find recipes here for different diets and styles, so there’s bound to be something that hits the spot.

1) 20-Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp

If you need dinner in a hurry, this honey garlic shrimp is the way to go. The shrimp cook up super fast in a sticky, sweet sauce with honey, garlic, and soy sauce.

You only need a handful of ingredients, and it’ll be on the table in 20 minutes or less. Perfect for those nights when you’re tired but still want something good.

Serve it over rice or noodles so you don’t waste any of that awesome sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce (reduced sodium works fine)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium.
2. Add shrimp, cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink.
3. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
4. Pour the sauce over shrimp, cook 2-3 minutes until thickened.
5. Serve warm.

Want the full recipe? Check it out here.

2) Easy Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi is one of those dishes that feels fancy but takes almost no time. Toss shrimp in a sauce of garlic, butter, lemon juice, and a splash of white wine.

It’s light, super flavorful, and doesn’t need any complicated steps.

Serve it over pasta, rice, or just grab some crusty bread to mop up the sauce. The garlic and lemon make everything pop, and the butter gives it a little richness without being too much.

You’ll have dinner ready before you know it.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
• Cooked pasta or bread, for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic, cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Toss in shrimp, cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Pour in wine and lemon juice, simmer 2 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve over pasta or with bread.

3) Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and grits is pure comfort food, Southern style. Creamy, cheesy grits make the base, and you top them with shrimp sautéed in a mix of spices.

Stone-ground grits really do make a difference here. Big shrimp work best—they cook fast and stay juicy.

If you like a little kick, splash in some hot sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 4 1/2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Hot sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water and salt in a pot.
2. Slowly stir in grits, lower heat.
3. Cook grits, stirring often, until thick and creamy (20-25 minutes).
4. Stir in butter and cheese.
5. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium.
6. Season shrimp with paprika and garlic powder.
7. Cook shrimp 2-3 minutes per side until pink.
8. Serve shrimp over grits. Add hot sauce if you want.

Get the classic recipe here.

4) Garlic Shrimp with Lemon

Garlic shrimp with lemon is about as easy as it gets. Cook shrimp quickly with fresh garlic, then add lemon juice for a bright finish.

It all comes together in one pan and takes around 10 minutes.

The garlic gives it a savory punch, while lemon keeps things fresh. Pair it with rice or a salad if you want something light.

Butter or olive oil makes a simple sauce that clings to the shrimp. If you’re into more lemony flavor, toss in some zest.

Find a step-by-step version here.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat butter or oil in a pan over medium.
2. Add garlic, cook 1 minute.
3. Add shrimp, cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over shrimp, add zest, and stir.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Garnish with parsley.

5) Crispy Tempura Shrimp

Craving something crunchy? Tempura shrimp is light, crisp, and surprisingly easy.

The secret’s in the batter—cold and bubbly. Dip shrimp in, then fry until golden.

Serve with soy sauce or a sweet dipping sauce. Works as a main or an appetizer.

You don’t need to be a pro to make these at home.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup cold sparkling water
• Vegetable oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan.
2. Mix flour, egg, and sparkling water for the batter. Keep it cold!
3. Dip shrimp in batter, fry in hot oil.
4. Fry 2-3 minutes until golden.
5. Drain on paper towels, serve hot.

More tips? Here’s a Crispy Tempura Shrimp recipe.

6) Greek Baked Shrimp with Feta

Baked shrimp with tomatoes and feta is a Mediterranean favorite. The shrimp cooks in a tomato sauce with garlic, onions, and herbs.

Feta melts into the sauce, adding a creamy, salty bite.

Season shrimp with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake everything at 400°F (200°C) until shrimp are pink and cheese is soft.

Serve with bread or rice to catch all the sauce. It’s a fresh, healthy meal that comes together fast.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 ounces feta cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a baking dish, toss tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
3. Place shrimp on top, crumble feta over it all.
4. Bake 15-20 minutes until shrimp are pink and feta is soft.
5. Sprinkle with parsley.

7) Shrimp Fried Rice

Shrimp fried rice is a lifesaver on busy nights. Use leftover rice, shrimp, veggies, and eggs—all in one pan.

Add soy sauce for flavor, and toss in whatever vegetables you have.

The shrimp cooks up super fast, so don’t walk away. This dish is filling and covers all the bases: protein, carbs, and veggies.

Want a simple guide? Here’s a shrimp fried rice recipe.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces small raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups cooked white rice (cold works best)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 3 tablespoons oil (peanut, canola, or rice)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high.
2. Cook shrimp until pink, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
3. Scramble eggs in the same pan.
4. Add carrots and peas, cook 2 minutes.
5. Stir in rice and soy sauce.
6. Return shrimp to the pan, add green onions. Cook 1-2 minutes more.
7. Season with salt and pepper, serve hot.

8) Grilled Harissa Shrimp

Grilled harissa shrimp is bold, spicy, and so easy. Marinate shrimp in harissa, olive oil, lemon juice, and a little honey.

Let them soak up the flavor, then skewer and grill over medium-high heat. They’ll get a little char and turn pink in about 2-3 minutes per side.

Serve with fresh herbs or a drizzle of basil oil for some brightness. Honestly, these are great on their own or as part of a bigger spread.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons harissa paste
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix harissa, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add shrimp and toss to coat.
3. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes.
4. Preheat your grill to medium-high, around 400°F or 200°C.
5. Thread the shrimp onto skewers.
6. Grill them for 2-3 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and look cooked through.
7. Take them off the grill and serve warm.

9) Shrimp Pasta with Fresh Herbs

Here’s a shrimp pasta that really comes together fast. Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or thyme give it a bright kick, and they just work so well with shrimp and garlic.

Cook your pasta until it’s tender. While that’s going, sauté the shrimp in olive oil and garlic—nothing fancy, just simple and good.

Stir in the herbs at the end so they stay fresh and punchy. I always squeeze a little lemon juice or grate in some zest; it just wakes everything up.

Ingredients

• ½ lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh basil or thyme, chopped
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package.
2. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the rest.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
4. Add garlic and cook for about a minute, just until fragrant.
5. Toss in the shrimp and cook until they’re pink and opaque—usually 3-4 minutes per side.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the shrimp.
7. Pour in the reserved pasta water, plus the lemon juice and zest.
8. Stir in the fresh herbs.
9. Season with salt and pepper, then serve it up while it’s warm.

If you want to try something along these lines, this Fresh Herb and Garlic Pasta with Shrimp is worth a look.

10) Shrimp Quesadillas

Shrimp quesadillas are a fast, satisfying way to get some seafood on your plate for dinner. Just toss some shrimp with spices, maybe a squeeze of lime if you’re feeling it.

I usually cook the shrimp with bell peppers and onions because, honestly, why not add more flavor? Once everything’s sizzling, I pile it all up with a generous handful of cheese between two tortillas.

Throw the quesadilla on a hot pan. Wait for the outside to crisp up and the cheese to melt into gooey perfection.

If you like a little heat, try tossing in some jalapeños or a sprinkle of chili powder. Salsa or sour cream on the side just makes it all pop.

You can pull this off in about 20 minutes. It’s a lifesaver for those nights when you just want dinner on the table, fast.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Bell peppers, sliced
• Onion, sliced
• Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• Flour tortillas
• Spices: cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper
• Optional: jalapeño, lime juice

Cooking Instructions:

1. Season shrimp with spices and cook them in a pan until they turn pink.
2. Sauté bell peppers and onions until they’re soft.
3. Heat a tortilla in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Layer shrimp, veggies, and cheese on one half of the tortilla.
5. Fold the tortilla and cook until it’s golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
6. Slice into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream.