10+ Shrimp Recipes for Dinner to Spice Up Your Weeknight Meals

Shrimp is a favorite for dinner since it cooks up fast and works in all kinds of dishes. Whether you want something light or more filling, shrimp fits right in.

It’s simple to prepare and pairs well with so many flavors. Honestly, it’s hard to mess up.

You can whip up tons of shrimp recipes that match your mood or schedule. From quick sautés to saucy, rich meals, shrimp is the kind of ingredient that lets you make dinner you’ll actually look forward to—without a huge time investment.

Ingredients

• Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• Olive oil or butter
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper
• Optional herbs and spices (like parsley, lemon, or chili flakes)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil or butter in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper.
4. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque.
5. Remove from heat and add fresh herbs or lemon juice if you’re feeling fancy.

1) Easy Shrimp Scampi with Garlic and Lemon

This shrimp scampi is fast and easy. You’ll cook shrimp in a garlicky, lemony butter sauce that’s bright but not heavy.

The sauce uses just garlic, lemon juice, and butter—nothing complicated. You can get this on the table in 10 or 15 minutes, which is honestly a lifesaver some nights.

Serve your shrimp over pasta, rice, or just grab some crusty bread to mop up the sauce. Minimal effort, maximum flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• Optional: 1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add shrimp, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink.
4. Stir in lemon juice, remaining butter, and white wine (if you’re using it).
5. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and sprinkle parsley on top.
7. Serve warm however you like.

See more details on Easy Shrimp Scampi Recipe.

2) Honey Garlic Shrimp with Brown Rice

Honey garlic shrimp is one of those dinners you can throw together fast. The sauce is sweet and savory, and it’s honestly tough to stop eating.

Serve it over brown rice for a meal that’s both filling and a little healthier. If you want, toss in some steamed broccoli or whatever veggies you’ve got.

This dish is perfect for nights when you want something that tastes good but don’t want to fuss. The sauce thickens up and clings to the shrimp, making every bite juicy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• Optional: steamed broccoli or other vegetables

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink.
4. Mix honey, soy sauce, and vinegar in a bowl.
5. Pour sauce over shrimp and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes.
6. Serve shrimp and sauce over brown rice with veggies if you want.

3) Shrimp and Grits with Cajun Spices

Shrimp and grits just feels like comfort food. You get creamy, cheesy grits as the base, and then pile on shrimp tossed with Cajun spices.

Cooking the shrimp in bacon drippings or butter makes it extra flavorful. You can pull this together in about half an hour, so it’s doable even on a weeknight.

Make it as spicy as you like. I sometimes add green onions or a dash of hot sauce on top.

Ingredients

• 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
• 3 slices thick-cut bacon
• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 2 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook bacon in a pan until crispy; set aside.
2. Sauté shrimp in bacon drippings with Cajun seasoning until pink. Remove shrimp.
3. Boil water or broth and cook grits according to package.
4. Stir butter and cheese into grits until creamy.
5. Serve shrimp over grits, sprinkle with bacon.

4) Greek Baked Shrimp with Feta Cheese

Greek baked shrimp with feta is fast and full of flavor. You bake shrimp in a tomato, garlic, and herb sauce, then top with feta for a creamy, salty finish.

Bake it at a high temp—about 450°F (230°C)—for 10-12 minutes. The shrimp turns pink and the feta browns just a bit.

Fresh parsley adds color and a little freshness. I like serving this with bread or over rice.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Toss shrimp, tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil in a baking dish.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Sprinkle feta over the shrimp.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until shrimp is pink and feta is golden.
6. Garnish with parsley.

Learn more about this dish at Greek Baked Shrimp with Feta Recipe.

5) Crispy Tempura Shrimp

Craving something light and crunchy? Try crispy tempura shrimp.

Shrimp gets coated in a cold, lumpy batter and fried until golden. The result is that signature airy, crisp texture.

The trick is to keep the batter cold and not overmix. Fry the shrimp in hot oil, and you’re good to go.

Serve with soy sauce or a mix of soy sauce and ginger. It’s a solid homemade Japanese-inspired meal.

Ingredients:

• 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ¼ cup self-rising flour
• ¼ cup potato starch
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Canola oil for frying
• Cold water (to make batter)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat canola oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan.
2. Mix flour, potato starch, and salt in a bowl.
3. Add cold water slowly and stir gently—don’t worry if it’s lumpy.
4. Dip shrimp in batter, then fry in hot oil.
5. Cook 2-3 minutes until crispy and golden.
6. Drain on paper towels. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

For more details, check out this shrimp tempura recipe.

6) Shrimp Lo Mein with Vegetables

Shrimp Lo Mein is a reliable weeknight dinner. You cook shrimp, noodles, and a bunch of veggies—bell peppers, onions, cabbage, whatever you like.

The sauce is sweet and savory, and everything comes together in 20 to 30 minutes. Start by cooking the shrimp, then sauté the veggies, toss in noodles, and pour over the sauce.

Use Chinese egg noodles if you’ve got them, or sub in any soft noodles. It’s honestly better than takeout most nights.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 oz egg noodles
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• 1 cup coleslaw mix or cabbage
• 1/2 cup onions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles, drain, and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high.
3. Cook shrimp until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp.
4. Sauté garlic, onions, bell peppers, and cabbage until tender.
5. Mix chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil.
6. Add noodles, shrimp, and sauce to the pan. Toss and cook 2 more minutes.
7. Serve hot.

For a similar recipe, see shrimp lo mein with vegetables and egg noodles here.

7) Classic Coconut Shrimp with Dipping Sauce

Classic coconut shrimp is easier to make than you might think. Shrimp gets coated in a crispy coconut crust that’s sweet, crunchy, and just a little addictive.

Pair it with a tangy, sweet dipping sauce—usually sweet chili sauce mixed with apricot preserves or fruit spread. That combo? It just works.

Making coconut shrimp at home saves money and honestly tastes fresher than most restaurant versions. You can bake or fry, depending on how crispy you want them.

Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• Sweet chili sauce (½ cup)
• Apricot preserves (½ cup)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat oil for frying.
2. Set up three bowls: flour, beaten eggs, and coconut mixed with panko.
3. Dip shrimp in flour, then egg, then coconut mix.
4. Bake on a sheet or fry in hot oil until golden brown.
5. Mix sweet chili sauce and apricot preserves for dipping.
6. Serve warm.

Create your own coconut shrimp dinner with this simple recipe from Grill Momma.

8) Garlic Pan-Seared Shrimp

You can whip up a simple, tasty dinner with garlic pan-seared shrimp. The shrimp cook fast in a hot pan with butter and plenty of garlic.

The high heat brings out all the good flavors and keeps the shrimp juicy. A squeeze of lemon juice really brightens things up and adds a fresh kick.

If you like a little heat, toss in some red pepper flakes. This whole thing comes together in about 10 minutes, which honestly feels like a lifesaver on busy nights.

Serve these garlicky shrimp with rice, pasta, or maybe a crisp salad—whatever you’ve got on hand, really.

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a pan over medium-high heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Toss in the garlic and let it cook for about a minute, just until it smells amazing.
3. Add the shrimp, sprinkle on some salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink.
4. Stir in the lemon juice and red pepper flakes.
5. Take the pan off the heat and serve right away.

9) Shrimp Fried Rice with Eggs and Peas

Shrimp fried rice with eggs and peas is one of those dinners you can throw together fast. Start by cooking the shrimp until they’re pink, then scramble some eggs in the same pan for less mess.

Toss in peas and carrots for extra crunch and color. Cold, cooked rice makes everything easier to mix and gives the best texture.

Pour in soy sauce for a salty punch and a drizzle of sesame oil for that toasted flavor. Stir everything around until the rice is hot and the flavors meld.

You can add green onions or garlic for extra oomph if you’re feeling it.

Ingredients:

• Shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Cooked rice
• Eggs
• Green peas
• Carrots, diced
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Green onions (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Cook the shrimp in a hot pan until they turn pink, then pull them out and set aside.
2. Crack the eggs right into the pan and scramble.
3. Add the peas and carrots, stirring for a minute or two.
4. Dump in the cooked rice and toss the shrimp back in.
5. Pour over soy sauce and sesame oil, then stir everything together.
6. Heat it all through and serve while it’s warm.

If you want more details, check out a shrimp fried rice recipe like this one from Simply Recipes.

10) Skillet Shrimp Fajitas

Skillet shrimp fajitas make a quick, tasty dinner. You just toss shrimp, bell peppers, and onions into one pan and let the flavors do their thing.

This dish works great for nights when you want something fresh but don’t want to mess with a bunch of steps. The shrimp pick up the spices fast and the veggies turn sweet and just a little crisp.

I like serving these with warm tortillas and whatever toppings I have on hand. Avocado salsa? Always a good idea.

You can have this on the table in about 20 to 30 minutes, honestly.

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortillas for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Toss in shrimp with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook them for 2-3 minutes per side, until they’re pink.

3. Take the shrimp out and set them aside.

4. Add the rest of the oil to the skillet. Throw in the bell peppers and onions, and cook until soft—about 5-6 minutes.

5. Put the shrimp back in the skillet. Stir everything together and let it heat through.

6. Spoon the shrimp and veggies into tortillas. Eat them while they’re warm.