15 Quick Weeknight Shrimp Dinners

Shrimp cooks in minutes, which makes it the ultimate weeknight protein. These 15 dinners go from pan to plate in 30 minutes or less.

Below you’ll find 15 reader-favorite recipes, each with a photo, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions. Save your favorites and enjoy!

1. Classic Garlic Butter Shrimp

The 15-minute classic — garlicky, buttery, lemony.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp, peeled
• 4 tbsp butter
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper
• Cooked linguine

Instructions

1. Melt butter in a skillet.
2. Sauté garlic 1 minute.
3. Add shrimp; cook 2–3 minutes per side.
4. Deglaze with wine and lemon juice.
5. Toss with pasta and parsley.

2. Cajun Shrimp Skillet

Bold Cajun shrimp with peppers over fluffy rice.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• Cooked rice
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Toss shrimp with oil and Cajun seasoning.
2. Sear shrimp 2 minutes per side; set aside.
3. Sauté pepper, onion, and tomatoes.
4. Return shrimp to the pan.
5. Serve over rice with parsley.

3. Honey Garlic Shrimp

Sticky-sweet honey garlic glaze on plump shrimp.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

1. Whisk honey, soy, garlic, vinegar, and sesame oil.
2. Sear shrimp 2 minutes per side.
3. Pour in sauce; simmer 2 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5. Top with green onions.

4. Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp

Fragrant coconut curry shrimp in 20 minutes flat.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 2 tbsp red curry paste
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• Fresh basil
• Cooked jasmine rice

Instructions

1. Fry curry paste 1 minute.
2. Add coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar.
3. Add shrimp and pepper; simmer 6 minutes.
4. Top with basil.
5. Serve over jasmine rice.

5. Creamy Shrimp Alfredo

Silky Alfredo with juicy shrimp — restaurant-worthy at home.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 12 oz fettuccine
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp parsley

Instructions

1. Cook fettuccine; reserve pasta water.
2. Sear shrimp; set aside.
3. Melt butter; sauté garlic.
4. Add cream and parmesan; simmer.
5. Toss with pasta, shrimp, and parsley.

6. Shrimp Tacos

Smoky-spiced shrimp tacos with crunchy slaw.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 8 flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup chipotle crema

Instructions

1. Toss shrimp with oil and spices.
2. Sear 2–3 minutes per side.
3. Warm tortillas.
4. Fill with shrimp and cabbage.
5. Drizzle with chipotle crema.

7. Lemon Pepper Shrimp

Zesty, buttery shrimp with bold lemon-pepper punch.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp parsley
• Lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Toss shrimp with lemon pepper seasoning.
2. Sear in butter and oil 2 minutes per side.
3. Add garlic and lemon juice.
4. Toss 1 minute.
5. Serve with lemon wedges and parsley.

8. Greek Shrimp and Orzo

Mediterranean shrimp orzo with feta and fresh dill.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 1 cup orzo
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 tbsp chopped dill

Instructions

1. Toast orzo in olive oil 2 minutes.
2. Add broth; simmer 10 minutes.
3. Stir in shrimp and tomatoes; cook 5 minutes.
4. Top with feta.
5. Garnish with dill.

9. Shrimp Fra Diavolo

Spicy tomato-garlic shrimp begging for crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 tbsp basil, chopped
• Crusty bread

Instructions

1. Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes in oil.
2. Add tomatoes and wine; simmer 10 minutes.
3. Add shrimp; cook 4 minutes.
4. Top with basil.
5. Serve with crusty bread.

10. Teriyaki Shrimp Stir-Fry

Glossy teriyaki shrimp with crisp broccoli.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• Cooked rice

Instructions

1. Blanch broccoli 2 minutes.
2. Sear shrimp 2 minutes per side.
3. Add teriyaki, honey, and ginger.
4. Toss with broccoli 2 minutes.
5. Serve over rice with sesame seeds.

11. Old Bay Butter Shrimp

Chesapeake-style shrimp in Old Bay butter.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 tbsp parsley
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Cooked grits or rice

Instructions

1. Toss shrimp with Old Bay and garlic powder.
2. Sear in butter and oil 2 minutes per side.
3. Squeeze lemon over.
4. Toss with parsley.
5. Serve over grits or rice.

12. Crispy Baked Coconut Shrimp

Crunchy baked shrimp with sweet chili dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb shrimp
• 1 cup panko
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Cooking spray
• 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Dredge shrimp in flour, egg, then panko mixed with paprika.
3. Arrange on a rack; spray with oil.
4. Bake 10–12 minutes.
5. Serve with sweet chili sauce.

13. Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

Plump shrimp and parmesan cream sauce over hot pasta — ready in 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled
• 8 oz fettuccine
• 4 tbsp butter
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp parsley

Instructions

1. Cook fettuccine according to package; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Sauté shrimp in butter 2-3 minutes per side; remove.
3. Sauté garlic 1 minute; pour in cream and simmer 3 minutes.
4. Whisk in parmesan and Italian seasoning.
5. Toss pasta and shrimp in the sauce, loosening with pasta water.
6. Top with parsley and serve.

14. Bang Bang Shrimp Bowls

Crispy shrimp with spicy-sweet bang bang sauce over rice.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• Sliced scallions

Instructions

1. Toss shrimp in cornstarch with salt and pepper.
2. Pan-fry in hot oil 2-3 minutes per side until crisp.
3. Whisk mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha.
4. Toss hot shrimp in half the bang bang sauce.
5. Serve over rice with cabbage.
6. Drizzle with remaining sauce and scallions.

15. Shrimp Scampi Zoodles

Classic garlicky scampi lightened up over zucchini noodles.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled
• 4 zucchini, spiralized
• 4 tbsp butter
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup white wine
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp parsley

Instructions

1. Sauté shrimp in butter 2 minutes per side; remove.
2. Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes 1 minute.
3. Deglaze with wine and lemon juice; simmer 2 minutes.
4. Add zoodles; toss 2-3 minutes until just tender.
5. Return shrimp to the pan; toss with parsley.
6. Serve immediately.

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