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Summer Shrimp Recipes for Easy Dinners

felice kaufman author bio
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Shrimp is quick to cook and perfect for easy summer meals, from grilled shrimp and tacos to pasta and chilled salads. These summer shrimp recipes are simple, fresh, and made for warm days when you do not want to spend much time in the kitchen.

Skillet blackened shrimp with garlic butter, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley.
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Top Tips For Cooking Shrimp

Shrimp cook quickly, so keep a close eye on them. Larger shrimp may need an extra minute, but once the flesh is firm and opaque, they are ready. Avoid overcooking, which can make shrimp tough.

Frozen shrimp are easy to keep on hand and work well for most recipes. For the best results, choose large or jumbo shrimp and thaw them completely before cooking.

According to the FDA, shrimp are cooked through when the flesh becomes firm, pearly, and opaque.

Defrosting Frozen Shrimp

Place the shrimp in a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 10 minutes. They should be thawed and ready to cook in about 20 minutes.

defrosting shrimp in a bowl of water

Cold Shrimp Recipes

Cold shrimp recipes are light, easy to prepare, and especially good on hot summer days. Serve them in salads, with cocktail sauce, or chilled with a creamy dressing.

1
boiled shrimp with coktail sauce and lemons
Boiled Shrimp with Old Bay
Here's how to boil shrimp with Old Bay for a quick and tasty meal. It's simple, fast, and brings out the natural sweetness of the shrimp with just the right amount of seasoning.
Recipe
2
shrimp salad with pasta and a lemon wedge
Shrimp Salad with Pasta
Shrimp Salad with Pasta is packed with wild-caught shrimp, pasta, fresh veggies, and a creamy Old Bay dressing. It's a cool, delicious side dish that's perfect for cookouts, picnics, or easy dinners. Serve chilled.
Recipe
3
Cold key west pink shrimp salad on a bed of lettuce.
Shrimp Salad with Old Bay and Dill Recipe
This easy shrimp salad with Old Bay and dill is packed with fresh flavor. Cooked shrimp are tossed in a light, creamy dressing with a touch of lemon, Old Bay seasoning, celery, and fresh dill. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or a light summer meal. Ready in minutes!
Recipe

Skillet Shrimp Recipes

Skillet shrimp recipes cook quickly and are perfect for easy summer dinners. Serve them with rice, pasta, vegetables, or crusty bread for a simple meal.

4
Skillet blackened shrimp with garlic butter, lemon wedges, and fresh parsley.
Cajun Blackened Shrimp Recipe
This Cajun blackened shrimp is cooked with Cajun seasoning, garlic, lemon, and butter for a quick seafood dinner with big flavor. Serve it over rice, pasta, tacos, or salad for an easy meal ready in 15 minutes.
Recipe
5
Gluten-free coconut shrimp served with sweet chili dipping sauce on a white plate.
Coconut Shrimp
This coconut fried shrimp is made with juicy shrimp coated in cornstarch, egg, sweetened coconut, and panko breadcrumbs, then fried until crisp and golden. Serve with sweet chili lime dipping sauce, remoulade sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Recipe
6
pan seared shrimp on a plate with lemon wedge
Pan Seared Shrimp Recipe
Pan seared shrimp cooked with garlic, butter, soy sauce, and fresh lemon. Ready in under 10 minutes for a quick dinner or easy appetizer.
Recipe
7
shrimp cooked in coconut oil
Coconut Oil Shrimp Recipe
Coconut oil shrimp with caramelized lemon is a quick,healthy dish that enhances shrimp's natural sweetness. The shrimp cooks fast in coconut oil with garlic and Old Bay seasoning, while the lemon caramelizes for a delicious pop of citrus flavor. This simple and healthy dish with tropical flavors and is perfect for an easy weeknight meal.
Recipe
8
Shrimp and scrambled eggs topped with scallions and parsley, served with avocado slices and a lemon wedge on a white plate
Shrimp and Scrambled Eggs
Shrimp and scrambled eggs is a quick, high protein breakfast made with cooked shrimp, a few eggs, and butter. Ready in minutes and served with avocado for a simple, filling meal.
Recipe

Shrimp Tortillas and Tacos

Shrimp tacos and tortillas make an easy summer meal with plenty of room for fresh toppings and sauces. Fill them with seasoned shrimp, crisp slaw, avocado, pico de gallo, or a creamy dressing.

9
shrimp tortillas with cilantro lime dressing
Shrimp Tortilla Wraps
Shrimp tortilla wraps made with wild-caught shrimp, a creamy cilantro lime dressing, and almond flour tortillas. High in protein, low in carbs, and ready in minutes. This dish makes a fresh, clean lunch or light salad.
Recipe
10
Shrimp tacos with seasoned shrimp, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, creamy taco sauce, and lime in warm tortillas.
Key West Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Key West shrimp tacos are made with seasoned shrimp, lime, and warm tortillas. Top them with shredded lettuce, tomato, red onion, cilantro, and your favorite creamy taco sauce for an easy seafood lunch or dinner.
Recipe

Boiled and Steamed Shrimp Recipes

Boiled and steamed shrimp are simple to prepare and easy to serve hot or chilled. Pair them with cocktail sauce, melted butter, or a fresh summer salad.

11
Peel and eat key west pink shrimp recipe
Peel 'n Eat Shrimp
Peel and Eat Shrimp is a classic appetizer that's always a hit. Simply boil shrimp, coat them in seafood seasoning, and chill for an hour. Serve with cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges for an easy, crowd-pleasing dish.
Recipe
12
boiled shrimp with lemon, potatoes, and corn
Boiled Shrimp With Potatoes and Corn Recipe
Boiled shrimp with potatoes and corn is a quick and easy one-pot meal made with pink shrimp, Old Bay, garlic, and lemon. It's ready in 30 minutes and perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual weekend meal. Serve hot with butter and lemon.
Recipe
13
shrimp cocktail with homemade cocktail sauce
Key West Pink Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp Cocktail is made with wild-caught Key West pink shrimp, boiled and served chilled with homemade cocktail sauce. A simple, classic appetizer for holidays, happy hour, or any seafood spread.
Recipe
14
steamed shrimp with cocktail sauce
How To Steam Shrimp
Steaming shrimp is a simple, healthy way to cook them. It keeps the shrimp juicy and tender without using oil or butter. Great for a light meal or appetizer.
Recipe
Key lime pie with whipped cream.

And don't forget a fresh authentic Key West Key Lime Pie for dessert!

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave in short intervals, just until warmed through, so the shrimp do not become tough.

Best Sides For Shrimp

Shrimp pairs well with fresh vegetables, rice, potatoes, pasta, and crusty bread. Complete your meal with one of these easy side dishes.

15
Asparagus mixed with Jasmine rice on a plate with a spoon.
Lemon Asparagus Rice
Lemon asparagus rice is a simple side dish made with fluffy white rice, tender asparagus, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. It pairs well with fish, chicken, or steak and works for both weeknight dinners and special meals.
Recipe
16
Crispy roasted baby potatoes seasoned with herbs on a white serving plate
Crispy Roasted Baby Potatoes
These crispy roasted baby potatoes are golden and crisp on the outside with a fluffy, tender center. Seasoned with garlic, onion, paprika, and oregano, they're an easy side dish that pairs well with everything from chicken and steak to fish and pork.
Recipe
17
steamed red potatoes
Steamed Red Potatoes
Steamed Red Potatoes with Butter and Parsley is a simple and delicious side dish. Low-starch red potatoes are steamed in a steamer basket on the stovetop for an easy healthy side dish for chicken and fish dinners. Ready in 20 minutes!
Recipe
18
sweet creamy coleslaw with cabbage, carrots, peppers, and creamy dressing
Sweet Coleslaw Recipe
This sweet coleslaw recipe is super easy and delicious. It combines crunchy cabbage, a little carrot, and coleslaw dressing. Perfect for burgers, bbq ribs, sliders, chicken, or a summer barbecue, it's a side dish everyone will love!
Recipe
19
Cold chickpea cucumber feta salad in a bowl with red gingham napkin.
Mediterranean Chickpea Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
This Mediterranean chickpea salad is made with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, red onion, feta, and herbs, then tossed with a simple lemon vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
Recipe
20
Watermelon arugula salad with feta and red onion on a platter, topped with lime vinaigrette, with a fork lifting a watermelon cube from the salad.
Watermelon Arugula Salad with Feta
Watermelon Arugula Salad with Feta is a fresh and easy summer side dish or appetizer. Made with juicy watermelon, peppery arugula, cubed salty feta cheese, sliced onions, and a lime vinaigrette. Light, sweet, and salty. Ready in 10 minutes!
Recipe
21
Spanish rice with peas, green bell pepper, and onion served on a white plate with a lime wedge.
Spanish Rice
Easy Spanish Rice Recipe made with converted rice, tomato sauce, onion, green pepper, garlic, ketchup, and peas. This one-pot side dish cooks in 20 minutes and goes with chicken, beef, pork, fish, or shrimp.
Recipe

FAQ

How many shrimp per person?

If you are serving grilled shrimp with lots of other sides and seafood, you could probably do a quarter pound per person. To be safe, I would cook one-third pound per person for kabobs or grilled shrimp main course.

What size shrimp is best for summer recipes?

Large, extra-large, and jumbo shrimp work best for grilling, skewers, tacos, and salads because they are easier to handle and less likely to overcook.

How do I know when shrimp are cooked?

Shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C shape. Avoid cooking them until they form a tight circle, which can make them tough.

Should I peel shrimp before cooking?

That depends on the recipe. Peeled shrimp are easier to eat in tacos, pasta, and salads, while shell-on shrimp can have more flavor when grilled or boiled.

How long does cooked shrimp keep in the refrigerator?

Cooked shrimp can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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