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Shrimp Dinner Ideas

Erin Sellin

May 06, 2018, Updated May 12, 2026

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Need dinner fast? These 25 shrimp dinner ideas are on the table in 30 minutes or less. From tacos to pasta to scampi — easy recipes the whole family will love.

Shrimp is the ultimate weeknight dinner secret. It thaws in minutes, cooks in under 10, and takes on just about any flavor you throw at it; garlic butter, chipotle, coconut curry, teriyaki, you name it. If you’re staring down a busy Tuesday with no dinner plan, shrimp has your back.

 

I keep a bag (okay, usually two) in my freezer at all times. Whenever it goes on sale, I stock up. Honestly, it’s saved dinner more times than I can count. Low in calories, high in protein, and endlessly versatile, shrimp is one of those ingredients that works just as hard as you do.

These 25 shrimp dinner ideas cover everything from quick pasta dishes and spicy tacos to crowd-pleasing nachos and cozy slow cooker jambalaya. Whether you need something on the table in 15 minutes or want a recipe that feels a little more special, there’s something here for every night of the week.

1

Shrimp Salad

This shrimp salad recipe is easy to make with chilled shrimp, crisp red onion, and Old Bay seasoning tossed in creamy mayo dressing. Perfect in a shrimp salad sandwich!

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2

Cilantro Lime Shrimp

A mouth-watering cilantro lime shrimp recipe that is the perfect choice for seafood lovers. With its zesty lime flavor and lots fresh cilantro, this dish is sure to impress. Try it out today!

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3

Blackened Shrimp Pasta

Blackened Shrimp Pasta – a quick and easy shrimp pasta made with homemade blackened seasoning for tons of great flavor!

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4

Crispy Baked Shrimp

Crispy Baked Shrimp – get all the crispiness of fried shrimp in a quick and easy healthy way. Super crunchy, ready in minutes, and delicious!

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5

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Scampi – juicy shrimp sauteed in a garlic butter sauce with a hint of white wine and lemon. Ready in about 15 minutes, so perfect for entertaining or a busy weeknight.

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6

Shrimp Summer Rolls

Shrimp Summer Rolls with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce – a super refreshing, cool, crisp and great dinner to have this summer.  Works as an appetizer or a meal.

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7

Baja Shrimp Tacos

Baja Shrimp Tacos – a fun twist on taco night! Slightly spice shrimp with a chipotle lime sauce makes for a super quick and easy dinner!

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8

Shrimp & Avocado Tostadas

Shrimp & Avocado Tostadas – a fun and easy way to get Mexican food on weeknights, in minutes! Crispy tostadas topped with guacamole, spiced shrimp, and your favorite salsa.

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9

Coconut Curry Shrimp

Coconut Curry Shrimp – A Quick and easy curry shrimp you can make any night of the week! Plump shrimp in a sweet coconut curry sauce, that has just a little bit of a kick.

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10

One Pan Spicy Garlic Shrimp

One Pan Spicy Garlic Shrimp – dinner is ready in 15 minutes, with this super flavorful, a little spicy, garlic shrimp recipe.

11

Chipotle Shrimp Tacos

Chipotle Shrimp Tacos – An easy shrimp taco recipe with spiced shrimp, a cool lime coleslaw, and topped with creamy chipotle sauce.  Packed with so much flavor and ready in minutes, so it is perfect for a weeknight dinner.

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12

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp – crispy coconut crusted shrimp cooked in the air fryer (oven recipe included). Super crispy, crunchy, slightly sweet and delicious.

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13

Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Lemon Garlic Shrimp – Super quick and easy dinner of shrimp sauteed in butter and garlic and then finished with lemon juice.

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14

Hoisin Glazed Shrimp

Quick and easy hoisin glazed shrimp

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15

Slow Cooker Jambalaya

Slow Cooker Jambalaya – This Jambalaya is a Creole rice dish made with shrimp, andouille sausage, chicken and vegetables.  A hint of spice and so much flavor, this dish is cooked in a slow cooker for an easy dinner.

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16

Shrimp Cakes with Corn & Avocado Salsa

Shrimp Cakes with Corn and Avocado Salsa  – Put a twist on classic crab cakes by using shrimp! Top with corn and avocado salsa for a buttery and slightly spicy kick!

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17

One Pot Thai Shrimp Pasta

Creamy Thai shrimp pasta all cooked in one pot.

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18

Speedy Shrimp Pasta

Speedy Shrimp Pasta – Plump and juicy shrimp sauteed in olive oil, garlic, and onions. Tossed with pasta for a quick and easy dinner.

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19

Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp

One Pan Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp – a simple fettuccine Alfredo recipe made in one pan. Add shrimp to have a romantic and easy meal you can enjoy any night of the week. 

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20

Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi

Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi – You can not get any easier than this shrimp scampi recipe. Ready in minutes, perfect dinner for any night of the week or even for entertaining!

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21

Grilled Teriyaki Shrimp Kebabs

Shrimp and pineapple make a great combination on these Grilled Teriyaki Shrimp Kebobs. Such an easy recipe and great for summer grilling!

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22

Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe

Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe – Crispy fried shrimp that is tossed in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce. The ultimate appetizer that will soon become your dinner! 

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23

Instant Pot Jambalaya

Instant Pot Jambalaya – make jambalaya with chicken, sausage and shrimp in the pressure cooker!  Ready quickly and super easy to make.  

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24

Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Shrimp and Grits Recipe – this easy shrimp and grits is ready in minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights.  Cheesy grits take it over the top, the whole family is going to love it!  

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25

Shrimp Nachos

These shrimp nachos are an easy upgrade to your classic oven-baked nachos, topped with juicy seasoned shrimp and melted cheese. Make them in 15 minutes!

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 Tips for Cooking Shrimp

New to cooking shrimp? These simple tips will help you nail it every single time.

• How to Thaw Shrimp Quickly. Forget to take shrimp out of the freezer? No problem. Place the frozen shrimp in a colander and run cold water over it for 5–10 minutes, tossing occasionally. It’ll be fully thawed and ready to cook in no time. Never thaw shrimp in warm water — it starts to cook the outside unevenly.
• How to Know When Shrimp Is Cooked. Shrimp tells you exactly when it’s done, you just have to know what to look for. Perfectly cooked shrimp turns pink and opaque and curls into a loose “C” shape. Overcooked shrimp curls into a tight “O” and turns rubbery. Once you see that pink color and loose curl, pull it off the heat immediately.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan. This is the number one mistake people make. If you add too much shrimp at once, the pan temperature drops and the shrimp steams instead of searing. Cook in a single layer with a little space between each piece. If you have a large batch, cook it in two rounds for the best texture and color.
• Pat Shrimp Dry Before Cooking, Whether using fresh or thawed shrimp, always pat it dry with paper towels before it goes in the pan. Excess moisture creates steam and prevents that nice golden sear. Dry shrimp = better browning = more flavor.
• Buy the Right Size. For most weeknight dinners, large (31–40 count) or extra-large (26–30 count) shrimp work best. They’re substantial enough to be satisfying but still cook in just a few minutes. Jumbo shrimp are great for grilling or when shrimp is the star of the plate.
• Fresh vs. Frozen — Frozen Wins. Unless you live near the coast, “fresh” shrimp at the grocery store has almost certainly been frozen and thawed already. Save yourself the markup and buy frozen. Look for shrimp with no added sodium or preservatives, and individually quick frozen (IQF) so you can thaw only what you need.
• Season Simply, Then Build Flavor. Shrimp has a naturally sweet, delicate flavor that doesn’t need much. A little salt, pepper, and garlic go a long way. From there, layer in your sauce or seasoning blend. Shrimp soaks up flavor fast — even a quick 15-minute marinade makes a big difference.
• Leave the Tails On or Off? Tails add a little visual flair and can add flavor to sauces, but they’re annoying to eat in pasta or tacos. A good rule of thumb: leave tails on for appetizers or grilled dishes where people can grab them, and remove tails for pastas, soups, and anything with a sauce.