Sautéed Shrimp Recipes: Saucy Shrimp Ready in A Blink of An Eye

Does a perfectly caramelized shrimp dish sound tempting? If yes, you're at the right place to discover new ways of cooking it! We’ve gathered some of the tastiest sautéed shrimp recipes to inspire you. Add these ideas to your meal plan and have fun cooking with us.

What Spices and Herbs Go Well With Sautéed Shrimp?

The versatile taste of shrimp allows it to pair well with different seasonings. When it comes to sautéed seafood, here are some of our favorite flavor enhancers.

What Go Well With Sauteed Shrimp Recipes

1. Spices

Salt and black pepper: These two pantry staples help bring out the natural sweetness of sautéed shrimp. While salt adds a savory taste, freshly ground pepper infuses the dish with earthy, woodsy notes.
Garlic and onion powder: When used in powdered form, garlic and onion have a more concentrated flavor, sharpening our palate. Working with powder also means you are free of sticky hands and watery eyes.
Cayenne pepper and red chili flakes: If spicy food is your biggest obsession, sprinkle some cayenne pepper or red chili flakes onto your shrimp. Their intense heat, derived from a substance called capsaicin, will boost your endorphin levels and give you instant satisfaction.

2. Herbs

Oregano: Oregano, a signature Caribbean herb, enlivens any meal that it’s sprinkled on. For sautéing, you can opt for either fresh or dried oregano as both taste almost the same – bright, peppery, and slightly bitter.
Basil: The taste of basil may vary from peppery and citrusy to savory and spicy, based on its origin. We love basil for its fresh aroma with hints of mint and anise.
Dill: This unique aromatic herb lends a tangy note to our shrimp. As dill’s flavor diminishes quickly during cooking, add it only at the end to ensure the flavor is not lost during the cooking process.

Now, let’s move on to the star of our show – the shrimp.

Best Sautéed Shrimp Recipes

Are you ready for some sizzling sound and luscious aroma? Check out our collection of sautéed shrimp recipes.

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Shrimp sautéed with broccoli and bell pepper in a black skillet topped with scallion and sesame seeds.

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Pan Fried Shrimp Recipe

This lustrous dish is so shimmery it’s sure to dazzle your world before you taste it. It’s a simple fry with carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli to complete it with crunchy bits.

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Shrimp Chow Fun Recipe

This is a Chow Fun recipe we can get behind. It’s no fuss and no shortage of flavor! Plus, anything that takes 20 minutes to prepare and tastes this good should be on your menu immediately.

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A plated colorful saute of Moo Shu Shrimp, carrot, peppers, and cabages

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Moo Shu Shrimp Recipe

You’ve had Moo Shu pork; now it’s time to try Moo Shu shrimp! This recipe incorporates eggs and stir-fried veggies for a lightning-quick, fulfilling meal. And you’ll love how easy it is to prepare!

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Shrimp Alfredo Recipe

This dish will do wonders if you’re feeling the blues and need a comforting meal. Spaghetti and plump shrimp are served in a creamy white sauce that’s robust with garlic and onion flavors to satiate.

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Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi Recipe

This one-pot meal is only 25 minutes away. Add the spaghetti, garlic seasoning, and shrimp one after another into the instant pot and leave it to do the rest.

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Kung Pao Shrimp Recipe

Take your meals to serious new heights by adding this recipe to your menu. You can count on hoisin, soy sauce, and brown sugar to pack a punch of flavors into the shrimp in just 20 minutes! Now that’s how you serve a truly flavorful meal.

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Pesto Shrimp Recipe

Pesto is the single thing that makes shrimp immediately irresistible. Including it in this recipe will help you revolutionize your family dinners without breaking a sweat.

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Instant Pot Shrimp Pasta Recipe

Long having held a place at the dinner table, this Instant Pot Shrimp reimagines classic garlic and butter flavors for a family-friendly version. The dish takes 25 minutes to prepare but rewards tenfolds in taste.

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Shrimp Biryani Recipe

You haven’t had “jhinga biryani” like this before. A slow cook infuses the dish with spicy fragrances that are bizarre yet deeply satisfying. The shrimp can be made with tails on or off (it’s up to you!), while the dish is best served with raita, naan, or rice.

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Shrimp Fra Diavolo Recipe

This Fra Diavolo, which translates to “Brother Devil,” depicts the fiery red sauce in this recipe. For subtle heat, a garlic, tomato, and paprika relish with a touch of red pepper.

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Pesto Shrimp Pasta Recipe

This herbaceous, tomato-tangy platter will be a delightful treat in the unforgiving summer heat. There’s something about crisp seafood flavors in a savory sauce that’s truly refreshing.

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Chili Lime Shrimp Recipe

Two dynamic flavors go head to head in this chili and lime recipe to create a knockout dish. Add a bit of Cajun seasoning and paprika to complete a robust flavor profile. Whenever you have 15 minutes to spare, you can whip this recipe out!

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Shrimp and Broccoli Recipe

Our spin on this recipe saves you both the calories and precious time. A hearty rice wine vinegar sauce transforms broccoli into a vibrant veggie you’ll enjoy thoroughly. The result is a dish of sweet, savory, and nutty aromas best enjoyed with cooked rice.

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Japanese Teriyaki Shrimp Recipe

The key to busy weeknights is often choosing the right recipe. Our Teriyaki Shrimp special will help you tackle a hectic schedule with a 20-minute cooking time, while the deep umami final tastes exhibit no sacrifice on flavors.

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Shrimp Piccata Recipe

Piccata centers around a creamy butter, lemon juice, and capers sauce, giving the shrimp a tremendous flavor boost. There’s nothing like a zesty dressing to complement pasta.

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Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe

With dishes like this one, who needs to order Chinese? Especially if you can simmer those brown sugar and sesame flavors down to authentic Chinese aromas from the comfort of your kitchen!

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A dish full of cooked shrimp, green beans, and carrot strips, surrounded by a soup bowl, a rice bowl, a soy sauce bowl, a watermelon drink, and split cashews

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Cashew Shrimp Recipe

The best part about a dish like this is how it combines crunchy textures with a meaty substance. You’ll love every single bite! Serve it with rice for a meal that’ll draw compliments from each guest.

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Tequila Lime Shrimp Recipe

There’s just something magical about Tequila and lime. It’s almost the perfect way to animate seafood with a much-needed zing. Serve this Mexican masterpiece with potatoes and corn, and you will not be disappointed!

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Cajun Shrimp and Rice Recipe

You’ll enjoy this Cajun-seasoned relish if you love Louisiana flavors. We added bell pepper and onion chunks to complete flavorful, hefty portions and create a wonder of a meal.

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Shrimp Jambalaya Recipe

A delectable yet easy meal to prepare, Jambalaya is an excellent entry point into Louisiana Creole cuisine. The red seasoning pack of paprika, cayenne, and red pepper lends a fiery taste and auburn red shade so that you won’t mistake the dish for Paella!

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Pineapple Shrimp Recipe

Fresh pineapples make this a game-changer. Add brown sugar-caramelized shrimp, and you’ll get a semi-sweet finish that’s savory and refreshing. A not-so-typical meal you’ll love!

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Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Recipe

This dish will be great the first time you make it and even better the second time. It’s simple enough to master, with smoky sausage and plump shrimp that come together in 20 minutes.

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Shrimp Primavera Recipe

Looking for a spring dish? Primavera is your best bet. With crunchy asparagus and green peas in season, this dish will carry fresh, succulent flavors that are hard to replicate at any other time of the year.

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Shrimp Orzo Recipe

The shape and texture of orzo makes for a fascinating treat. Coupled with this lemon and pepper stir-fry in cream, it becomes a rich delicacy made right in your kitchen.

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A non-stick pan full of shrimp chop suey with a metal spoon on the side.

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Shrimp Chop Suey Recipe

This spin on chop suey ensures you still get your vegetables. It features carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and snow peas, and you can even add leftover veggies for more textures!

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Shrimp Fajitas Recipe

Fajitas are one of those cozy, hold-in-your-hand meals you always want to eat. You won’t get tired of them with this cumin-seasoned crustacean version with Greek yogurt to tie the flavors together.

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Shrimp Mei Fun Recipe

Typical Chinese flavors like hoisin and soy sauces with hints of lime and curry tie together rice noodles and fresh shrimp in this dish. A flavor bombshell waiting to be indulged.

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A close-up shot of red shrimp sauteed with green beans and sprinkled with white sesame seeds

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Hunan Shrimp Recipe

We sought to keep this recipe as close to the original as possible. Slight changes like replacing regular soy sauce with a low-sodium version ensure you’ll get a healthy and authentic Hunanese dish with no compromise on flavor!

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Shrimp Paella Recipe

At the center of Paella is a saffron-infused stew that is sweetly fragrant. The recipe includes rice and peas cooked in one pan for an efficient yet delicious Spanish meal.

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Shrimp Chow Mein Recipe

While chow mein is well and truly Chinese, there’s no need to shy away from making it yourself. Follow our recipe to the tee, and you’ll have this meal ready quicker than it takes you to order takeout!

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Orange Shrimp Recipe

This gorgeous dish is visually appealing and flavorful. It pops with colors that’ll make a rainbow jealous, and the quenching citrus is refreshing. An overall sweet and savory dish for the books.

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Shrimp And Asparagus Recipe

While simplistic, this crunchy vegetable dish is one to reach for when you need a change of pace. It’s served with cooked barley for a change and adds a mild, nutty taste you’ll appreciate.

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A close-up shot of battered-shrimp cooked with chunks of red peppers, green peppers, and pineapples, garnished with thinly sliced scallion and white sesame seeds

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Sweet and Sour Shrimp Recipe

A citrusy umami sauce is the base of this sweet and sour stir-fry. Once seared, the shrimp and vegetables turn crisp and caramelized while tender. Love it? You can experiment with less sugar (or more!) to find new ways to make this recipe work for you.

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Shrimp Pasta Salad Recipe

This dish gives you a bit of everything — crunch, substance, and refreshment in one bite. It consists of a light shrimp, cucumber, and celery mix with a small dose of carbs. Isn’t it the perfect side treat?

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Shrimp Risotto Recipe

Risotto takes a bit of effort in exchange for tonnes of flavor—a fair trade, in our opinion. You’ll take your mealtime to the next level with this ultimate comforting feast you’ll never forget.

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What Type of Shrimp Should You Buy?

If you’re wondering what’s the best-suited shrimp for sautéing, read on to find the answers to your most frequently asked questions.

1. What Is The Perfect Size?

Does this question cross your mind when you shop for shrimp? Size does matter in cooking. While small-sized shrimp is excellent for salads, you should go with medium to large-sized shrimp for sautéing, frying, and stewing. Bigger shrimp doesn't overcook easily and absorbs the seasonings better, offering more flavor in each bite.

2. Difference Between Fresh and Frozen Shrimp

Most shrimp found at grocery stores has been frozen soon after being harvested to prevent mushy flesh. If you’re able to get your hands on some fresh shrimp at the fish markets, we encourage you to do so. Shrimp that has not been frozen previously comes with a firmer texture and richer taste. However, you can still get away with a bag of frozen shrimp if it is properly defrosted.

3. To Peel or Not to Peel?

Though cooked shrimp shells are edible, they are rather unappealing because of their hard texture. Plus, if we sauté shell-on shrimp, the seasonings will be absorbed into the shell rather than the flesh. Hence, our chefs suggest we make the effort to peel and devein the shrimp.

What Fat Can I Use to Sauté Shrimp?

When choosing fat for cooking seafood, go with vegetable oils that have a higher smoke point (400°F or above) as they’re more tolerant to high heat. Some great suggestions are canola oil, peanut oil, and avocado oil.

A better alternative to regular butter is ghee - unsalted clarified butter, which smokes at around 485°F.

What to Serve With Sautéed Shrimp

A light and healthy salad with plenty of vegetables and fruits is a great match for sautéed shrimp dishes. The freshness of vegetables helps cleanse your palate and acts as an appetizer. Have a look at our healthy salad recipes for more ideas.

If you’re looking for some quick and easy beverages, we suggest orange juice to load you up with extra vitamin C.

We hope you’re inspired by our trusted sautéed shrimp recipes. If you try out a recipe to make any of these delectable dishes, do share your stories with us by commenting below.