Shrimp is the most popular seafood in the world. Versatile enough to be enjoyed in a multitude of ways, mastering this protein will open the doors to a whole menu of options. From refreshing shrimp cocktail to buttery shrimp scampi and beyond, there’s no wrong way to enjoy our Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp.
But while delicious, preparing and cooking seafood can be a little intimidating, especially for new cooks who are still learning their way around the kitchen. That’s why we’ve gathered all of the tips and tricks a chef needs to prepare and serve mouth-watering seafood appetizers, entrees, and meals.
Our favorite easy shrimp recipes
Here are some popular methods for cooking shrimp. These are the “easy versions” of our favorite seafood recipes, and a few pro tips to help you get started. But remember, the best recipes are the ones born of trial and error in the kitchen. Don’t be afraid to get creative and let your wild side out. Experiment with bold flavors like fresh ginger, orange zest, lemon pepper, cilantro, lime, or sesame.
Want to dive in, but still need some help with getting the shrimp ready for a recipe? Check out How to Cook Shrimp Part 1: Buying, Cleaning, and Preparing Shrimp.
Serving up the perfect Shrimp Cocktail
The favorite shrimp dish of most Americans, and an appetizer to enhance any shindig, is the classic Shrimp Cocktail. Forget about buying some precooked shrimp and a jar of cocktail sauce from the grocery store! Easy to prepare and ready in less than an hour, making the shrimp cocktail recipe your own is the best way to take your party to the next level.
We suggest starting with a big, meaty shrimp like Roger's Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp which can either be boiled or poached. Adding aromatics like lemon wedges or lemon juice, peppercorns, parsley leaves, and onion will add a nice flavor to your shrimp even before they hit the cocktail sauce. After cooking, be sure to put the shrimp in a bowl of ice to chill before serving.
Besides the shrimp of course, the star component of a good shrimp cocktail is the cocktail sauce. Any homemade version will have a fresher flavor than its store bought alternative and making your own is quite easy!
Easy Homemade Cocktail Sauce Recipe
- Ketchup
- Lemon juice
- Horseradish
- A generous dash of Worcestershire Sauce
- Dry mustard
- A dash of hot pepper sauce
This is the “easy” recipe, which means we’re going to fly by the seat of our pants and season to taste, as they say in the cookbooks.
- Start with the ketchup, that’s your base. If you want to end up with 1 cup of cocktail sauce, use 1 cup of ketchup.
- Then add some horseradish. Use 1-2 teaspoons for mild, or 1-2 tablespoons for wild.
- Add the rest of your ingredients. Don’t go overboard on any one ingredient until you’ve tasted your mixture. Once you’ve zeroed in on the flavor you’re looking for, cover the mixture and store in the refrigerator until time to serve.
- That’s it! See? Easy.
Pro Tip: For a tasty alternative to cocktail sauce, try a squeeze of lime juice or a soy-and-sesame-sauce mixture.
Quick ‘n Easy Shrimp Marinade Recipe
One of the best ways to elevate any shrimp recipe is to marinate your raw shrimp. Think of marinating as a spa treatment for shrimp–it helps the shrimp “relax” by tenderizing the meat.
The recipe for shrimp marinade can vary depending on the flavors you’re going for, but the foundation of most marinades is
- A base liquid (like olive oil), used for carrying and imparting the flavors,
- An acidic component (like vinegar) for breaking down the shrimp's proteins to tenderize it,
- And a combination of flavorings (herbs and spices) to create a unique taste profile specific to the dish being prepared.
If you’re marinating shrimp for the first time, we suggest using a simple marinade of Italian salad dressing like Ken’s or Newman’s Own. You can doctor it as needed, but you’d be surprised how many chefs rely on salad dressing to marinate their shrimp. Here are a few more tips to enhance your shrimp experience.
Pro Tips for marinating shrimp
- Marinate shrimp for 30-60 minutes to achieve optimal flavor absorption and tenderness.
- Avoid marinating shrimp for too long, as this can cause the shrimp to become mushy or rubbery when cooked.
- Always marinate shrimp in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. Allowing the shrimp to reach room temperature for too long will expose them to bacteria and foodborne illness.
- If you’re using salad dressing for marinade, try adding a tablespoon of soy sauce to the mix. The amino acids in the soy sauce add a new dimension of flavor without overpowering the marinade
Easy Shrimp Scampi Mini-Recipe
Shrimp scampi is the perfect dish for seafood lovers. If you're looking to switch up your shrimp recipes, this one is a definite must-try. It's not only delicious but also fairly easy to make. If you want to go in-depth, check out this amazing Shrimp Scampi recipe from our recipes menu.
Start off by sautéing some garlic in a pan with butter and olive oil. Add in your shrimp, a splash of white wine, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
Once your shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, it's time to add in some cooked linguine and toss it all together in the pan. Voila! You've just made yourself a restaurant-quality shrimp scampi. Congratulations, now let’s eat!
Easy Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
There are a million ways to prepare shrimp kabobs for your outdoor grill, from the very complicated to the very simple. But the most important part is to make sure you’re using meats and vegetables that cook at roughly the same rate as your shrimp. We prefer light veggies that cook quickly, like eggplant, mushrooms, yellow squash, bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion.
- Heat the grill to about 400°
- Spray or brush the grates with non-stick cooking oil
- Place skewers on the grill, close the cover.
- Turn after 4-5 minutes.
- Cook on the other side for an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Turn again as needed to finish the cooking, about 18-22 minutes total.
Pro tips for Grilling Shrimp Kabobs
- Check out the Roger’s Fish Co. Grill Ready Favorites menu for the best ingredients, recipes, sides, and helpful tips.
- Use two skewers side-by-side to prevent the shrimp from rotating on the skewer.
- Cut a few thin slices of lemon or lime and slide them onto the skewers between the shrimp. It adds a nice zesty acidity and enhances presentation.
- Soak your skewers in water for an hour or two before you grill. The extra moisture will keep the skewers from burning up over hot coals.
Enhance the Flavor of Your Dish with Roger's Fish Co.
No matter which cooking method you choose, Roger's Fish Co. ensures that you'll be cooking with the freshest and most flavorful shrimp available. Try our Jumbo White Shrimp in your next dish and discover how easy it can be to create a delicious, restaurant-quality experience at home. Thanks for reading, now go eat some shrimp!
Hungry for more recipes? Check out Roger's Fish Co's recipes menu, where you'll find an ocean of suggestions for cooking shrimp and lots of other seafood favorites.