21 Shrimp Recipes With Curries, Pastas, and Quick Plates

Shrimp can cover a lot of ground when you want dinner to feel more interesting than the usual plate. Pick a curry when you want something saucy with rice, or go for pasta when you want a creamy bowl without changing the main ingredient. Keep the appetizers and grilled skewers in mind for snacks, starters, or a table with a few different dishes.

Close-up of a shrimp curry dish with rice, topped with black sesame seeds and chopped green onions. — Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Coconut Shrimp

A bowl filled with golden-brown, breaded and fried shrimp, garnished with chopped herbs. — Coconut Shrimp. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Golden and crisp at the edges, Coconut Shrimp takes 20 minutes and makes six servings. Jumbo shrimp get a coating of curry-seasoned flour, egg whites, sweetened coconut, and breadcrumbs before a quick fry. The tropical sweetness and light spice give this appetizer more range than a plain breaded shrimp plate. Serve it warm with sweet chili sauce when a party tray needs something crunchy and easy to pick up.
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Bang Bang Shrimp

A bowl of rice topped with shrimp in a creamy sauce, garnished with cucumber slices, lime wedge, cilantro, and sliced green onions. — Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Creamy heat meets a lightly crisp coating when Bang Bang Shrimp comes together in 20 minutes for four servings. Cornstarch-coated shrimp are cooked with lime, then covered in a sauce made from mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. Basmati rice and cucumber slices turn it from an appetizer into a fuller plate. Keep the sauce mild or add extra heat depending on who is eating.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves. — Marry Me Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Silky and rich without taking over the evening, Marry Me Shrimp Pasta needs 25 minutes and serves four. Spaghetti, shrimp, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil form a sauce that clings well to the pasta. The fast cook time makes it useful when dinner needs to look more involved than it was. Add a green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the creamy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

A close-up of a serving of shrimp garnished with chopped green onions, red chili slices, and cilantro, placed in a bowl with chopsticks on the side. — Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Crackly coating and a peppery finish give Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp plenty of character in 35 minutes. The recipe serves four and combines shrimp with fish sauce, Thai chilies, garlic, ginger, flour, cornstarch, scallions, peppercorns, and coarse salt. A quick fry keeps the outside crisp while the aromatics bring concentrated flavor. Set it out with rice and a cool cucumber side for a dinner plate with heat and contrast.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Salt & Pepper Shrimp

Thai Fried Rice

A plate of shrimp fried rice with pieces of scrambled egg, green onions, and leafy vegetables. — Thai Fried Rice. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Fragrant basil and lightly toasted rice make Thai Fried Rice a practical 25-minute dinner for three. Shrimp, eggs, day-old jasmine rice, green onions, fish sauce, soy sauce, Thai chili, and garlic cook quickly in a hot wok or skillet. The dish uses leftover rice well and keeps the meal in one pan. Serve it straight from the stove with cilantro and lime when takeout sounds less appealing than a fast homemade plate.
Get the Recipe: Thai Fried Rice

Air Fryer Shrimp

With a lightly smoky surface and almost no cleanup, Air Fryer Shrimp takes 16 minutes and serves four. Large shrimp are coated with avocado oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper before six minutes in the air fryer. Lemon wedges and parsley keep the final plate simple. Use it for tacos, grain bowls, salads, or an appetizer when the main goal is quick cooking without a skillet full of oil.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp

Shrimp Tempura Roll

Close-up of sushi rolls with avocado, cucumber, and rice, topped with sesame seeds and a drizzle of spicy mayo on a beige plate. — Shrimp Tempura Roll. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Rolled around crisp tempura, avocado, and cucumber, Shrimp Tempura Roll takes 50 minutes and makes two servings. Japanese sushi rice is seasoned with rice vinegar and sugar, while shrimp are fried in a cold flour, cornstarch, egg, and water batter. Nori, black sesame seeds, and Sriracha mayonnaise finish each roll. This is a good weekend choice when dinner can include a little assembly and everyone wants sushi without ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Tempura Roll

Shrimp Toast

Close-up of open-faced sandwiches topped with avocado, shredded carrot, microgreens, and pieces of cooked salmon on whole-grain bread. — Shrimp Toast. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Open-faced and layered with color, Shrimp Toast takes 25 minutes and serves four. Seasoned shrimp, sautéed carrots, romaine, sprouts, Parmesan, lime, sesame seeds, and whole wheat bread build a plate with crunch from several directions. Cayenne, smoked paprika, rosemary, and garlic powder bring warmth without needing a heavy sauce. Serve the toast for lunch or cut the slices into smaller pieces for a casual appetizer tray.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Toast

Tandoori Shrimp

Warm spices and a yogurt marinade give Tandoori Shrimp a bold finish in 40 minutes. The recipe makes six servings with shrimp, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, chili powder, dried fenugreek, olive oil, cilantro, and lemon. The shrimp can be cooked in an air fryer, oven, grill, or skillet, which makes the recipe easy to adapt. Pair the skewers with naan, rice, or cucumber raita for a fuller dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tandoori Shrimp

Grilled Shrimp

Smoky grill marks and lemon-herb butter make Grilled Shrimp a strong 20-minute option for four servings. Shrimp cook on skewers with olive oil, then get brushed with butter, lemon juice, zest, garlic, and chopped herbs such as parsley, oregano, and dill. The simple seasoning leaves room for several side dishes. Add grilled vegetables, rice, salad, or tortillas depending on whether the meal is a cookout, weeknight dinner, or taco night.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp Fried Rice

Separate grains and quick-cooked vegetables keep Shrimp Fried Rice from turning heavy or soft. This 25-minute recipe serves four with day-old rice, shrimp, onion, mixed vegetables, egg, soy sauce, vegetable oil, and spring onions. Everything cooks in one wok or large skillet, so the cleanup stays manageable. Use it for a fast dinner or pack the leftovers for lunch when a takeout-style rice plate fits the day.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

A white plate holds grilled shrimp and vegetable skewers with mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs. — Grilled Shrimp Kabobs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Colorful vegetables and a honey-garlic marinade turn Grilled Shrimp Kabobs into a full skewer dinner. The recipe takes 53 minutes, including 30 minutes of marinating, and serves four. Shrimp alternate with red and green bell peppers, red onion, and portobello mushrooms before grilling for six to eight minutes. Serve the kabobs with rice, couscous, or a simple salad when the grill is already hot and the main dish needs built-in vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot

Steamed under pressure with almost no stirring, Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot takes 25 minutes and serves four. Shrimp cook with poppy seeds, mustard seeds, green chili, ginger, turmeric, grated coconut, coconut milk, olive oil, and salt. The Bengali-style sauce gets its character from mustard and coconut rather than a tomato base. Spoon it over steamed rice when a curry dinner needs minimal active cooking and a short ingredient list.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot

Shrimp Etouffee

A bowl of white rice topped with cooked shrimp, diced tomatoes, green onions, and sauce, garnished with chopped herbs and lime wedges. — Shrimp Etouffee. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Deeply seasoned and thick enough to spoon over rice, Shrimp Etouffee takes 40 minutes and makes six servings. Cajun-seasoned shrimp sit in a butter-and-flour roux with onion, green bell pepper, celery, garlic, tomatoes, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves. The sauce brings more body than a quick shrimp skillet. Serve it over hot rice for Sunday dinner, Mardi Gras, or any night that calls for a substantial seafood plate.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Etouffee

Thai Drunken Noodles

A colorful dish of shrimp stir-fry with noodles, vegetables, and sesame seeds, garnished with basil leaves and green onions. Chopsticks rest on the dish. — Thai Drunken Noodles. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Wide noodles, crisp vegetables, and basil give Thai Drunken Noodles plenty of movement on the plate. The 30-minute recipe serves four with shrimp, rice noodles, red onion, carrots, zucchini, bell pepper, tomato, garlic, ginger, and green onions. Oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, brown sugar, and chili paste form the sauce. Make it when a noodle dinner needs vegetables, heat, and enough sauce to coat every strand.
Get the Recipe: Thai Drunken Noodles

Mango Shrimp Salad

A bowl of shrimp ceviche with diced mango, avocado, red onion, red pepper, and cilantro, with a spoon inside. — Mango Shrimp Salad. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cool, juicy, and bright enough for a lighter dinner, Mango Shrimp Salad takes 25 minutes and serves four. Chilled shrimp are tossed with mango, red onion, red bell pepper, avocado, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. The mix balances sweet fruit, creamy avocado, and crisp vegetables without adding a heavy dressing. Serve it for lunch, spoon it into lettuce cups, or pair it with tortilla chips for a relaxed warm-weather plate.
Get the Recipe: Mango Shrimp Salad

Shrimp Alfredo

A bowl of fettuccine pasta with shrimp in a creamy sauce, garnished with chopped parsley and black pepper. — Shrimp Alfredo. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Thick sauce clings to every strand in Shrimp Alfredo, a 30-minute pasta that serves four. Fettuccine and shrimp are coated with garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan, olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley. Cooking the shrimp and sauce in the same skillet keeps the flavor concentrated and the steps straightforward. Add spinach, mushrooms, or a green side when the meal needs a vegetable beside the creamy pasta.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo

Shrimp Ceviche

Chilled citrus and a little pepper heat make Shrimp Ceviche a bright appetizer or light plate. The recipe takes 48 minutes, including 30 minutes of chilling, and serves four. Briefly cooked shrimp rest with fresh lime and lemon juice, red onion, aji pepper or habanero, cilantro, and grated ginger. Serve it with tortilla chips, tostadas, or lettuce cups when the table needs something cool before richer dishes.
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Shrimp Cocktail

Classic and neatly portioned for serving, Shrimp Cocktail takes 15 minutes and makes four servings. Shrimp cook briefly with lemon, garlic, bay leaf, and salt, then chill in an ice bath. The dipping sauce combines ketchup, prepared horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Arrange everything on a platter with lemon wedges and parsley for a make-ahead starter that works for holidays, dinner parties, or a seafood spread.
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Shrimp Scampi

Close-up of cooked shrimp seasoned with herbs and black pepper. — Shrimp Scampi. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Buttery, garlicky, and finished with lemon, Shrimp Scampi reaches the table in 15 minutes and serves three. Shrimp cook in olive oil before joining a sauce of butter, garlic, dry white wine, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, Parmesan, and parsley. The quick pan sauce has enough flavor to carry a simple base. Spoon it over pasta or zucchini noodles, or serve it with bread to catch the extra sauce.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry

Aromatic and creamy without a long simmer, Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry takes 35 minutes and serves two. Shrimp cook with coconut oil, garlic, ginger, shallots, curry powder, fish stock, fish sauce, coconut milk, and green onions. The sauce comes together in one skillet after the shrimp are briefly browned and set aside. Serve it over jasmine rice or rice noodles when a smaller dinner needs a curry with plenty of sauce.
Get the Recipe: Thai Coconut Shrimp Curry