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Our favorite easy shrimp recipes for fast dinners
37 super shrimp recipes the whole family will love
By Miriam Carey · September 27, 2026
Originally published on loveFOOD
Simple ideas with shrimp
Having a bag of frozen or fresh shrimp to hand means you can always whip up a meal quickly. They're incredibly versatile, whether to toss through a stir-fry, poach in a warming curry, or sizzle on the barbecue. There's something for everyone in this collection of our best shrimp recipes.
BBQ shrimp
Sometimes when you've got quality ingredients, it's best to keep things simple. Here, meaty tiger shrimp are smothered in a punchy marinade full of ginger, garlic, fresh cilantro, and lime, then griddled or barbecued to bring out their sweetness. Sprinkle over finely diced red chili for a final flourish.
Sweet and sour shrimp
A quick and simple recipe that will be become a firm favorite. The sweetness comes from chunks of pineapple and the sour comes from a splash of vinegar and ketchup. Cashews add a lovely nuttiness too. Serve with rice noodles which are super-quick to prepare as well.
Chili king shrimp
King shrimp are succulent and sweet, which works perfectly with chili. Our recipe uses Chinese five spice to add some aromatic flavors and bell peppers which give a sharper sweetness. Serve with rice or noodles, or on toasted sourdough for lunch.
Jamaican pepper shrimp
Fiery and flavorful, this is a dish best cooked on the barbecue (but a pan will work if not). The Scotch bonnet chilies are what gives this dish heat, but they also have a sweetness to them which is in harmony with the paprika. Limes provide a balancing sharpness.
Vietnamese-style Singapore fried noodles
These fried noodles are packed with flavor and are fantastic with shrimp. Easy to whip up, the noodles are cooked with Vietnamese curry powder which gives them an earthy spiciness, and the sauce has a delicious saltiness from both soy sauce and oyster sauce. You can also add your favorite green veg.
Get the recipe for Vietnamese-style Singapore fried noodles here
Chicken and shrimp stir-fry
Shrimp are perfect for stir-fries because they are quick to cook, taking about the same time as most leafy greens. Our recipe includes chicken, a great pairing with shrimp, and the flavor comes from Chinese five spice which balances the sharpness of Shaoxing wine with salty soy sauce.
Garlic pepper butter shrimp
Inspired by seafood dishes in Mumbai, this recipe is rich and satisfying. Deep flavors come from lightly marinating the shrimp with turmeric and garlic; adding peppercorns and chili flakes gives it a kick; and the butter brings everything together. Serve with flatbreads so you can soak up the sauce.
Burmese shrimp curry
A Burmese-inspired curry with the addition of nutty creamed coconut, this sauce can be made up to four days in advance and stored in the fridge. When you’re ready, reheat it and add the shrimp. You can use frozen or raw, but shell-on shrimp look the most impressive.
Shrimp and chicken pad Thai
This fragrant and crunchy stir-fried noodle dish with shrimp, chicken, scrambled egg, beansprouts, crispy onions, peanuts, lime, fresh mint and cilantro is always a treat. Don’t be put off if you’ve never made it before, you probably have many of its core ingredients (such as soy sauce, fish sauce, ginger and garlic) already in the cupboard.
Get the recipe for shrimp and chicken pad Thai here
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Cajun seafood gumbo
This warming Louisiana classic features shrimp, tender okra and the Cajun holy trinity of celery, green bell peppers and onion. Serve it with fluffy white rice and crusty bread to soak up the rich broth.
Thai green curry with king shrimp
This Thai green curry doesn’t contain shop-bought curry paste – the recipe teaches you how to make your own. The result is a super fresh-tasting dish that can be ready in just over 30 minutes. Serve it with rice noodles or jasmine rice.
Korean seafood soup
A rich, umami bowl of seafood soup. Shellfish, such as whole shrimp (the shells add flavor), clams, mussels, and scallops work best while soft silken tofu and a cracked egg give it a thick texture. In terms of veg, Korean cabbage, mushrooms (such as button, enoki, oyster, and shiitake) and sliced zucchini are great. Finish with a sprinkling of fresh chives.
Grilled king shrimp with chermoula
A North African marinade often used with seafood, chermoula features cilantro, parsley, garlic, preserved lemon, fresh lemon, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. In this recipe, the king shrimp are marinated then grilled (don’t overcook them), and served on black rice with peas, broad beans, and French beans.
Shrimp, chorizo, and basil linguine
This surf 'n' turf pasta combines shrimp with spicy chorizo in a rich tomato sauce. You can use lardons of bacon if you don't have chorizo. Once plated, tear over basil leaves for a pop of green.
Shrimp, scallions and bacon with cheesy polenta
If you’re after a comforting dish, this recipe is a winner. Sweet, juicy shrimp and salty, crisp bacon work perfectly with creamy Parmesan polenta. Don’t hold back on the lemon juice or cayenne pepper either, it’s needed to cut through the rich flavors.
Get the recipe for shrimp, scallions and bacon with cheesy polenta here
Bloody mary shrimp tacos
A spicy bloody mary-inspired tomato sauce works well with tender shrimp. Celery root provides the crunch you’re looking for, plus lots of acidity thanks to the lime. You’ll also want to add a little mayo or sour cream to each of these.
Vietnamese chicken and shrimp pancakes
The proper name for these crispy, shrimp and chicken-stuffed rice pancakes is bánh xèo. Bánh means cake, while xèo means sizzle, referring to the sound the batter makes when it hits the hot skillet. It’s a quick mix of rice flour, turmeric, coconut milk and scallions. Crunchy beansprouts and lettuce also go inside the wrap.
Get the recipe for Vietnamese chicken and shrimp pancakes here
Shrimp and salmon chowder
This is a Norwegian chowder-style soup that’s super comforting on a cold day. It features salmon, shrimp, potato and leek, and you can garnish it with crème fraîche, salmon roe and chives which is totally optional. Serve it the traditional way with flat, crisp bread or go with a hunk of crusty sourdough.
Vietnamese-style seafood stew
This refreshing and sweet seafood stew, loaded with herbs and veg, is almost like a Vietnamese bouillabaisse. Traditionally it's made with ingredients such as tamarind (a sour fruit), taro stem (a starchy Asian root veg) and ngo om (a herb that imparts a sharp citrusy note) but this recipe makes a few supermarket swaps.
Ginger and shrimp potstickers
Potstickers are Chinese dumplings that are pan-fried then steamed. Although they may seem intimidating to make, you can buy premade wrappers from Asian supermarkets to help you out. These ones are stuffed with a juicy ginger, garlic, pork and shrimp filling, and are served with a tangy chili, soy, rice wine, ginger and sesame oil dipping sauce.
Mustard shrimp curry
The spice blend of mustard seeds, ginger and garlic really works with seafood, but the great thing about this mustard shrimp curry is that the sauce can be used with almost any white fish. Simmer it slowly to allow the flavors time to develop and serve it with chapati or rice.
Shrimp, pea and zucchini risotto
This lemony shrimp, pea and zucchini risotto is perfect as a midweek meal. It’s made even more simple if you stock frozen shrimp in the freezer. Soft herbs such as parsley, mint, dill and chives keep it fresh and exciting. Add garlic butter at the end if you want to make it more indulgent.
Pasta with leeks, chili and shrimp
A simple pasta dish featuring softened leeks, blistered cherry tomatoes and shrimp. You don’t want the seafood to be rubbery, so only sauté for a few minutes before adding chili flakes, garlic and lemon zest, then turn the heat down. Also be sure to reserve at least a cup of pasta water to add at the end to keep it saucy.
Shrimp and rice noodle rolls
These little rice noodle rolls can be served as a starter or part of a larger spread. They look technical but are really simple – you can buy spring roll wrappers from an Asian supermarket and the filling is sliced cucumber, fresh cilantro, rice noodles, sesame oil and cooked shrimp. Add a little of the dipping sauce inside each of the rolls for extra flavor.
Shrimp ceviche
In this popular Peruvian dish, raw shrimp are cured in Tabasco, lemon juice and salt. Then they're combined with avocado, red onion and tomato to make a sweet, spicy and citrus mix. It’s great on top of tostadas or in tacos with sour cream and crispy pork crackling.
Grilled shrimp Thai salad
This crunchy Thai salad features marinated and grilled king shrimp plus raw carrot, cabbage, cucumber, and onion. The peanut and coconut sauce makes the meal, so be sure to prepare a generous portion. Blanch glass or rice noodles to serve alongside the salad.
Fried king shrimp and chips
Have a go at homemade fried king shrimp and chips. This version is light and crispy as raw shrimp are coated in wholemeal breadcrumbs and baked in the oven instead of deep-fried. Make your own potato wedges and tartare sauce to go with them.
Shrimp and fennel spaghetti
A beautiful Italian shrimp pasta dish with the mild flavors of fennel, garlic and parsley. It’s super speedy and a great weeknight dinner. A shot of Ouzo (Greek aperitif) or similar added to the sauce is a nice touch.
Shrimp and cabbage fried rice
This tasty fried rice features cabbage for crunchiness and wok-fried garlic for immense flavor. We also love the addition of a handful of sweet frozen peas. You can use cooked giant tiger shrimp for quick results, but don’t give them too much extra cooking or they’ll go rubbery.
Barbecued lime and chili tiger shrimp
Lime, chili, garlic and shrimp is a combination made in heaven. The smoky flavor from the barbecue makes it even better, but they could also be grilled or pan-fried. Serve with salad, wraps, crusty bread or couscous to make a meal.
Get the recipe for barbecued lime and chili tiger shrimp here
Shrimp sambal and nasi lemak
Inspired by the flavors of Malaysia, shrimp sambal features shrimp cooked in sambal (Indonesian chili paste), coconut cream, pineapple and lime. Meanwhile, nasi lemak (fragrant coconut rice) is the country’s national dish. Both are delicious and can be ready in under 30 minutes, which is perfect for midweek.
Goan shrimp curry
This Goan-inspired shrimp curry is infused with spices such as ginger and turmeric, and features coconut milk, desiccated coconut, and spicy red chilies. It’s cooked in a slow cooker for up to six hours to give it time to develop flavor. Sweet, meaty shrimp and spinach or green beans are added at the end.
Chunky fish soup
A simple take on classic French fish soup bouillabaisse, this dish combines seafood, like shrimp and calamari, and fish with a heady saffron-infused broth. Best of all, it's ready in just 15 minutes.
Peri peri shrimp
Crispy, spicy and bursting with flavor, these peri peri shrimp need very little work. Make sure you leave the shrimp to marinate overnight and all that is left to do the next day is grill them and serve on a bed of savory rice and wedges of lemon to squeeze over.
Shrimp noodle soup
This speedy noodle soup can be ready in just 15 minutes. Creamy coconut balances out the fierceness of the chili but feel free to add more or less in depending on your heat preference. Adding some greens in the end, such as bok choy, chard, kale or spinach, is a nice touch.
Spicy shrimp and tomato stew
Fiery with green chilies, warming with cumin, allspice and caraway seeds, and herby with dill and parsley. This Palestinian stew is traditionally baked in a clay pot but this has been adapted for the hob. Serve with bread to mop up the delicious sauce.
Sichuan shrimp
One of the best-known dishes from the famous southwestern Chinese province, Sichuan shrimp are stir-fried in a spicy tomato, ginger, garlic and black bean sauce. It’s quick and easy. Garnish with sliced scallion and serve with stir-fried veg and steamed rice.
Get the recipe for Sichuan shrimp here
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