If you’ve ever been stuck on what to do with your leftover shrimp, look no further. Here are some of my favorite recipes for using up leftover shrimp. They are all guaranteed to be tasty and very simple to make.
Leftover shrimp happens more often than you’d think. Maybe you made too much for a party or simply couldn’t finish that giant shrimp platter on your own. Whatever the reason, it can be hard trying to figure out what to do with those leftover crustaceans. Luckily, shrimp is one of the most versatile ingredients out there, lending itself to endless possibilities.
In this article, we’ll explore 20 mouthwatering recipes to transform your leftover shrimp into delicious new dishes. From stir frys to skewers, sandwiches to salads, there’s something here for every taste and occasion.
Shrimp Stir Fry Recipes
Stir frying is one of the easiest and tastiest ways to use up leftover shrimp. The high heat quickly revives the shrimp while the sauce coats each piece in flavor
Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry
If you like a little kick in your food this stir fry is for you. The combination of shrimp, shredded cabbage bell peppers, carrots, and spicy Sriracha sauce is simply divine. Toss it all in a hot wok or skillet until the veggies soften and serve over steamed rice. The flavors meld together beautifully.
Shrimp and Pineapple Stir Fry
Sweet pineapple gives this stir fry a tropical twist. Saute the shrimp with colorful bell peppers and zesty ginger. Add chunks of pineapple at the end for a pop of juicy sweetness. The salty, savory shrimp pairs so nicely with the fruity pineapple.
Shrimp Pad Thai
Everybody loves takeout Pad Thai but it’s even better homemade. Soak rice noodles in hot water until soft, then stir fry with shrimp, scrambled eggs, green onions, and bean sprouts. The Pad Thai sauce brings it all together, made with fish sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar. Garnish with peanuts and cilantro.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Fried rice is the perfect blank canvas for leftovers. Make it your own by adding shrimp, carrots, peas, and scrambled eggs. The light seasoning of soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic flavors the rice. You can swap in any other veggies you have on hand too.
Baked Shrimp Dishes
Baking locks in moisture and infuses shrimp with flavor. These baked shrimp recipes are sure to be a hit.
Parmesan Crusted Shrimp
A crispy, cheesy coating takes these shrimp to the next level. Dip them in mayo, coat with breadcrumbs and Parmesan, and bake until golden. The interior stays tender and juicy while the exterior becomes deliciously crispy. Served with lemon wedges, it’s irresistible.
Cajun Shrimp Bake
Transport your tastebuds to New Orleans with this spicy, savory bake. Shrimp is smothered in a melted blend of cheeses with onion, celery, bell pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Scoop it onto fresh rolls for Po’boy style sandwiches.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Everything’s better wrapped in bacon, including shrimp. Wrap each shrimp in a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick if needed. Bake until the bacon turns crispy. The recipe only requires two ingredients but packs a serious punch of flavors.
Shrimp Scampi Bake
Buttery, garlicky, irresistible shrimp scampi is taken to new levels baked. Nestle the shrimp into halved ciabatta rolls, top with seasoned breadcrumbs, and drizzle with olive oil. The bread soaks up all the delicious juices as it bakes. Serve the shrimp-stuffed bread bowls with lemon wedges.
Sandwiches and Tacos
Sandwiches and tacos make excellent vehicles for leftover shrimp. Load up the shrimp any way you like between bread, rolls, or tortillas.
Shrimp Salad Sandwiches
Transform shrimp salad into sandwiches for an easy, portable meal. Mix chopped shrimp with mayo, lemon juice, celery, onion, parsley, salt, and pepper. Pile the creamy mixture onto croissants or sandwich bread. Add lettuce and tomato for extra crunch and color.
Shrimp Po’ Boy Sandwiches
A New Orleans classic, the po’ boy sandwich gets loaded with crispy fried shrimp. Coat shrimp in spiced flour and pan fry until golden and crisp. Tuck into French bread with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and remoulade sauce.
Blackened Shrimp Tacos
Spice up taco night with succulent blackened shrimp. Season shrimp with a blend of smoky spices and cook in a very hot skillet to develop a flavorful crust. Stuff into warmed corn tortillas and load up with all your favorite taco toppings like shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and Mexican crema.
Pasta Dishes
Tossing shrimp with hot pasta creates an easy yet impressive meal. The shrimp gently cooks in the residual heat and absorbs the bold pasta flavors.
Shrimp Scampi Pasta
This classic recipe never gets old. Saute shrimp with garlic, white wine, lemon juice, and butter. Toss with pasta and sprinkle on parsley and Parmesan. Quick, simple, and so delicious.
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
Spicy Cajun seasoning gives this pasta some heat. Saute shrimp and sausage with onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and Cajun spices. Toss with penne and top with Parmesan. It’s boldly flavored, hearty, and satisfying.
Shrimp Alfredo Pasta
Rich, creamy Alfredo sauce coats tender shrimp and fettuccine noodles. To keep it easy, you can use store-bought Alfredo then stir in extra Parmesan for more flavor. The shrimp adds a subtle sweetness that balances the richness of the sauce.
Shrimp Salads
The cool, delicate flavor of shrimp shines through in fresh shrimp salads. Toss shrimp with crisp vegetables and a bright dressing for healthy, protein-packed meals.
Shrimp Louie Salad
This classic salad gets loaded with shrimp, avocado, hard boiled egg, and tomatoes on a bed of crisp lettuce. The creamy dressing is tangy, mildly spicy and full of flavor. It’s a filling, nutrient-dense meal.
Greek Shrimp Salad
This Mediterranean-inspired salad combines shrimp with cucumber, Kalamata olives, feta, and red onion. It’s dressed with a zesty vinaigrette made with lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, and garlic. Refreshing and delicious.
Shrimp and Mango Salad
Sweet mango makes the perfect pairing for shrimp. Toss them together with juicy pineapple, red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro. A citrusy vinaigrette ties it all together. It’s tropical, fruity and full of contrasting flavors and textures.
Hearty Soups
What better way to warm up than with a comforting bowl of shrimp soup? Simmer shrimp in flavorful homemade broths for soothing, satisfying meals.
Shrimp Bisque
Pureed shrimp gives this bisque its signature flavor. Saute the shrimp, onions, celery, carrots and garlic, then simmer in tomato sauce and chicken broth. Puree the soup until smooth and velvety. Finish with cream and brandy for richness.
Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo
The Louisiana classic, made easy. Cook shrimp with smoked sausage, bell peppers, onions, okra, garlic, thyme, and cayenne pepper. The deep, complex flavors of the roux and herbs make this gumbo spectacular. Serve over steamed white rice.
Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup
Spicy, aromatic Thai flavors come through in this tasty soup. Saute shrimp and vegetables in curry paste and coconut milk. Season with lime juice, fish sauce, ginger, and cilantro. It’s ultra flavorful and comforting.
As you can see, shrimp plays well in endless dishes across all cuisines. With a little creativity, you can transform leftover shrimp into amazing new meals. Next time you have extra shrimp on hand, try whipping up one of these easy yet exciting recipes. Your taste buds will thank you.
Shrimp Stir Fry Recipes
This shrimp scampi recipe is so easy and takes under 30 minutes to make. It’s deliciously saucy and perfectly rich with a buttery flavor that will have you step into dinner heaven!.
To make shrimp scampi, sauté some garlic in a bit of oil. Then add your shrimp and cook until they are pink. Put in a little white wine and chicken broth, and then let the sauce cook for a while.
Once the sauce has simmered, add a bit of butter to thicken it up. Serve the shrimp scampi over a bed of cooked pasta and enjoy!.
Pad Thai is a popular dish in America, Thailand, and beyond. This fast version has an appealing combination of sweet-sour flavors that will have your mouth watering for more!.
First, cook some garlic and ginger in a little oil for shrimp pad Thai. Then add your cooked shrimp and cook for a minute or two. Next, add your noodles and sauce, or other fresh ingredients and cook until the noodles are tender.
Finish it off with a sprinkle of green onions and serve.
There’s a reason this shrimp recipe has been around for a long time: it’s wonderful. It’s creamy, flavorful, and oh-so-satisfying.
To make shrimp Alfredo, reheat your shrimp in a bit of butter until they are pink. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
Once they are cooled, chop them up into bite-sized pieces.
In a large pot, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Once it is cooked, drain it and add it back to the pot.
Add a bit of butter and some heavy cream to the pasta and stir until combined. Then add your shrimp and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Don’t have time to make dinner or just want something quick and tasty? This shrimp fried rice recipe will save the day. It’s made with homemade ingredients that will taste way better than anything from your local Chinese restaurant!.
It’s quick and easy to make, and you can add whatever vegetables you have on hand. Start by sautéing some veggies in a bit of oil, then add cooked fried rice and leftover shrimp. Give it a good stir and you’re done!.
If you want to make this dish even more hearty, you can add some diced chicken or pork. Leftover shrimp fried rice is a great way to use up those pesky shrimp leftovers!.
Baked Leftover Shrimp Recipes
This Baked Coconut Shrimp dish is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. It’s also great for entertaining, as it can be made ahead of time and served at room temperature.
Mix flour, salt, and pepper together and coat the juicy shrimp in it. Bake the shrimp in coconut oil. Then dip them in some beaten eggs, followed by a coating of shredded coconut.
Bake in a preheated oven until the leftover shrimp are crispy and golden brown. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and a dipping sauce of your choice!.
The shrimp in this dish is marinated with spices like cumin, Italian seasoning, and fresh lemon. Then it’s threaded through vibrant veggies that give an exciting flavor profile to the quick dinner!.
Put shrimp on skewers (soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using them so they don’t break).
Grill over medium-high heat until the leftover shrimp are pink and slightly charred. Remove from the grill and let cool slightly.
Brush them with your favorite BBQ sauce or serve them with any dipping sauce you like after they’re cool.
The best shrimp tacos you will ever try. They have avocado, spicy jalapenos, and the tastiest slaw. They’re great for a quick lunch or a light dinner on Monday.
I like to sauté some garlic and onion in a bit of oil. Add my shrimp and cook until they are pink. Remove from the heat and let them cool slightly.
Once they are cooled, chop them up into bite-sized pieces. Serve on soft tortillas with your favorite toppings. I like to top mine with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream.
Invite your friends over for an appetizer that is both easy and delicious. These shrimp wrapped in bacon are a great way to start any party. They look great, taste great, and fill you up quickly. They can also be used as an appetizer or light meal.
To make them, wrap each shrimp in a piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
Heat the grill to medium-high. Cook the shrimp wrapped in bacon for five minutes on each side, or until the bacon is crispy.
Remove from the grill and let cool slightly. Serve these bacon-wrapped shrimp with your favorite dipping sauce!
The foil-packet shrimp is a quick and easy method for making delicious, tender grilled, or sauteed seafood. That’s not all—you can bake these packets to turn them into an appetizer that everyone will love!
It’s quick and easy to make, and you can add whatever vegetables you have on hand. Just heat some veggies in a bit of oil, then add cooked shrimp. Wrap everything up in foil and bake for about 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
This Cajun shrimp recipe is great for people who like spicy food. It’s quick and easy to make, and you can use any vegetables you have on hand. Sauté some veggies in a bit of oil, then add cooked shrimp.
Season with Cajun seasoning and cook for about 10 minutes.
Make a sweet and sour sauce by mixing together equal parts pineapple juice, ketchup, and brown sugar.
Sauté some garlic and onion in a bit of oil. Add your garlic shrimp and cook until they are pink. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
Once they are cooled, chop them up into bite-sized pieces. Serve on soft tortillas with your favorite toppings. I like to top mine with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream.
PRE-COOKED SHRIMP GARLIC BUTTER recipe
FAQ
How do you use already cooked shrimp?
How do you eat leftover shrimp?
How long do shrimp last in the fridge?
Can I freeze cooked shrimp?