Quick, easy, and tasty seafood recipe: pan seared shrimp! This dish can be made in less than 10 minutes on the stove with butter, fresh herbs, and simple seasonings. This juicy, tender shrimp is the perfect healthy protein for a busy weeknight dinner!.
Shrimp is a wonderful, versatile protein that can be prepared in endless ways. From shrimp scampi to coconut curry shrimp, the options are endless. However, one of the quickest and easiest methods is learning how to cook shrimp right on the stovetop.
With just a skillet, a few simple ingredients, and less than 15 minutes, you can have a delicious shrimp dinner ready in no time. Keep reading for a complete guide to mastering stovetop shrimp including step-by-step instructions, pro tips and tricks, and serving ideas to make this seafood staple shine.
Benefits of Cooking Shrimp on the Stove
There are many good reasons to choose the stovetop for preparing shrimp
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Fast and easy – Shrimp cooks quickly, making stovetop shrimp a perfect fast weeknight dinner The hands-on cooking time is less than 10 minutes
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Versatile – Stovetop shrimp can be flavored and sauced in endless ways by using different seasonings, herbs, spices, oils, and more.
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Great texture – The high heat of the pan gives shrimp a delicious sear while keeping the interior moist and tender.
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Minimal cleanup – With only a skillet needed, cleanup is quick and easy compared to other cooking methods.
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Room for improv – It’s easy to throw together whatever ingredients you have on hand for an impromptu shrimp meal
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Shrimp on the Stove
Follow these simple steps for perfect stovetop shrimp every time:
1. Prep the shrimp – For easy peel and eat shrimp, purchase them pre-peeled and deveined. Rinse the shrimp and pat very dry with paper towels.
2. Season the shrimp – In a bowl, toss the shrimp with desired seasonings like olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat the pan – Coat a large skillet with cooking oil and heat over medium-high heat.
4. Cook the shrimp – Carefully add the shrimp in a single layer and cook undisturbed until pink on the bottom, about 2 minutes.
5. Flip and cook – Flip each shrimp over and cook until opaque throughout, about 1-2 minutes more.
6. Finish with flavors – Turn off heat and toss in any additional ingredients like butter, herbs, or citrus juice.
7. Serve and enjoy – Plate your perfect stovetop shrimp! Add any desired garnishes.
Handy Tips for Stovetop Shrimp Success
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Pat shrimp very dry before cooking for the best sear. Wet shrimp will steam instead.
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Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook shrimp in a single layer with space between each one.
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Use a skillet with high sides to prevent shrimp from splattering out. Non-stick or cast iron work well.
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Depending on size, shrimp takes 2-4 minutes per side to cook through. Err on the lower end of time.
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Shrimp is done when opaque and curled into a “C” shape. It should reach 145°F internally.
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Add aromatics like garlic or herbs in the last minute to prevent burning.
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Finish with a flavorful fat like olive oil, butter, or pesto for extra richness.
10 Tasty Ways to Flavor Your Stovetop Shrimp
The simplicity of stovetop shrimp makes it the perfect canvas to layer on any flavors you love. Try these tasty ideas:
1. Lemon garlic – Sauté shrimp in olive oil and garlic, finish with lemon juice.
2. Spicy sriracha – Toss shrimp in sriracha, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil.
3. Herb butter – Cook shrimp in herb butter with garlic, parsley, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
4. Cajun – Season shrimp with Cajun spices, onion, bell pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
5. Teriyaki – Marinate shrimp in teriyaki sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
6. Taco – Use Mexican spices like chili powder, cumin, and oregano for taco shrimp.
7. Coconut curry – Sauté shrimp in coconut oil and Thai red curry paste.
8. Mediterranean – Flavor shrimp with olive oil, lemon, oregano, and feta cheese.
9. Honey garlic – Cook shrimp in a sticky glaze of honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic.
10. Spicy pesto – Toss shrimp with jarred pesto and red pepper flakes for a speedy pesto shrimp.
Serving Up Your Stovetop Shrimp
Shrimp makes both a tasty main dish or easy addition to other meals. Some favorite ways to serve stovetop shrimp include:
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Over pasta – Toss with spaghetti and veggies for a shrimp scampi.
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In tacos or burritos – Layer in tortillas with fixings like avocado and pico de gallo.
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Over salad – Pile stovetop shrimp on top of leafy greens for an easy protein-packed salad.
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With grains – Serve shrimp over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a bowl meal.
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In wraps – Stuff shrimp into lettuce or tortilla wraps with veggies and cheese.
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On skewers – Alternate shrimp and veggies on skewers for easy shrimp kebabs.
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Over veggie noodles – For low-carb, toss shrimp with zucchini or squash noodles.
So get ready to become a shrimp sautéing pro! With this handy guide, you’ll be able to quickly whip up delicious stovetop shrimp meals anytime. Just gather a few simple ingredients, grab a skillet, and in less than 15 minutes you can enjoy tasty shrimp your way.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptions
While I believe this recipe is great as it is, you can always make changes to suit your own tastes or needs. Here are some variations:
- Putting shrimp in butterfly shapes is a fun way to change things up. It gives the shrimp a unique look and helps them cook more evenly. Here are some step by step instructions!.
- Spices: Changing the spices is the best way to make this recipe a little different. The method is the most important part of this recipe; the spices and other ingredients can be used in many different ways. Onion powder, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes are all great things to add. You could even use a mix that’s already been made, like taco seasoning or old bay seasoning for seafood!
- Decorations I love adding lemon wedges, lemon zest, or fresh lime juice to my food. Extra melted butter on top is also a great idea.
Looking for a different method to prepare shrimp entirely? I recommend checking out my 5-Minute Air Fryer Shrimp.
How To Cook Shrimp On The Stove Top
Step 1: Dry shrimp. First thoroughly pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: Season shrimp. Then add the shrimp, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl. Combine thoroughly and ensure each shrimp is coated in the seasoning mix.
Step 3: Cook shrimp. Heat a large skillet on the stove over medium heat. Once hot, add the butter. Then once the butter is sizzling add the shrimp to the skillet. Spread in an even, single layer. Cook on one side for about 2-3 minutes until seared. Flip and repeat on the other side.
Step 4: Finishing touches: Add fresh parsley and combine. Season with extra salt and black pepper to taste if needed.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy! Put extra melted butter and fresh lemon juice on top of the cooked shrimp.
