What Spices Pair Well With Shrimp? A Guide to Seasoning Everyone’s Favorite Seafood

Shrimp is one of the most popular seafood options, loved for its versatility mild flavor, and nutrition profile. It’s an excellent source of lean protein, vitamins and minerals like selenium and iodine.

But while shrimp has a pleasant briny flavor on its own, the right herbs and spices can really make it sing The key is choosing seasonings that enhance rather than overpower shrimp’s natural ocean-fresh taste.

In this article, we’ll explore the best spices and spice blends to pair with America’s favorite crustacean. Whether you’re grilling, sautéing, or baking shrimp, these flavor combos will have your tastebuds doing a happy dance.

Old Bay Seasoning

This iconic Chesapeake Bay spice blend was practically made for shrimp. In fact, Old Bay is so synonymous with shrimp that the two are often used interchangeably in recipes.

So what makes Old Bay such a fantastic match for succulent shrimp? For starters, it packs an umami punch thanks to ingredients like celery salt and paprika. It also features warming spices like black pepper, mustard, cayenne, and ginger. These add just enough heat to perk up shrimp’s mild flavor. Finally, herbs like bay leaf, oregano, thyme, and basil provide fresh, aromatic notes.

Old Bay is a staple for shrimp boils and seafood kabobs. It’s also excellent for blackened or pan-fried shrimp. Basically, anytime you want to add oomph to plain shrimp, reach for the Old Bay. A little lemon or hot sauce on the side never hurts either.

Lemon

Bright, tart lemon is another classic shrimp pairing. Lemon zest, juice, slices, or wedges all complement shrimp’s sweet brininess.

The tangy citrus cuts through the rich fattiness that can develop when shrimp is fried or sautéed in butter. Lemon also freshens up grilled, broiled, or boiled shrimp.

When cooking shrimp, try adding lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice directly to the dish. For serving, provide lemon slices or wedges for squeezing over each portion.

Lemon-pepper seasoning, made from lemon zest and cracked black peppercorns, is another easy way to add lemon essence to shrimp. Sprinkle it on before or after cooking.

Dill

Fresh or dried dill weed has a clean, lemony herbal flavor that pairs swimmingly with shrimp. Native to the Mediterranean and Russia, dill has been used for centuries in seafood dishes across these regions.

Toss whole sprigs of fresh dill into boiling shrimp to infuse them with flavor. Chopped dill also makes a lovely finishing garnish for plated shrimp appetizers or entrees.

For convenience, use dried dill weed sprinkled over shrimp before cooking. Dill pairs especially well with garlic, lemon, and butter – try combining all four with shrimp for a quick, company-worthy dish.

Garlic

It should come as no surprise that garlic is incredible with shrimp. Garlic goes great with just about everything, but its pungent flavor is especially complementary to seafood.

Sauté chopped garlic in olive oil or butter before adding shrimp to the pan. The garlic will become sweet and mellow, infusing the cooking oil with its essence.

You can also add minced fresh garlic or garlic powder to shrimp marinades, breading, sauces, or compound butters. Roasted garlic can be blended into a creamy dressing for shrimp salad or pasta.

Just be careful not to burn the garlic, as bitterness will overpower the other flavors. Cook it over low or medium-low heat and add shrimp once the garlic becomes fragrant.

Chili Powder and Cayenne Pepper

A touch of heat brings out the sweetness in tender shrimp. Ground chili powders like ancho, chipotle, and New Mexico add earthy, smoky depth, while cayenne pepper provides straightforward fire.

Use them judiciously; a little goes a long way. Start with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per pound of shrimp, adjusting to taste.

Sprinkle chili powder and cayenne over shrimp before cooking to allow the spices’ flavors to bloom and penetrate. You can also add them to spice rubs, marinades, or dipping sauces.

Pair spicy shrimp with cooling ingredients like yogurt, lime, or cucumber to balance the heat. A cold beer or margarita on the side doesn’t hurt either.

Cajun Seasoning

No discussion of shrimp seasoning would be complete without Cajun spice blends. The cuisine of Louisiana is steeped in fabulous local seafood, shrimp included.

Authentic Cajun seasonings like Tony Chachere’s and Slap Ya Mama layer the heat with other robust flavors like garlic, black pepper, onion, and oregano. Some also contain lemon, a natural friend to shrimp.

Blackened shrimp gets its signature char from a hefty dose of Cajun spices. But these blends can also lend their special flair to boiled, grilled, sautéed, or baked shrimp.

Go easy if using a commercial blend – they’re designed to pack a punch. Start with half the recommended amount, adding more to taste.

Paprika

Sweet, earthy paprika deserves more airtime as a shrimp seasoning. A backbone of Cajun and Creole cuisine, paprika’s subtle heat and rich red color enhance shellfish.

Hungarian paprika is considered the gold standard, praised for its complex peppery flavor. But smoked Spanish paprika (pimentón) also pairs fantastically with shrimp.

Sprinkle paprika over shrimp before cooking or add it to spice rubs and marinades. Mix paprika with olive oil and garlic for a fast, flavorful drizzle over grilled or broiled shrimp.

Fennel

Licorice-y fennel might seem like a wildcard shrimp pairing, but it’s a staple in Mediterranean cooking. The bulb, fronds, and seeds each impart slightly different anise notes that meld beautifully with seafood.

Use fresh fennel bulb thinly sliced in shrimp salad or slaw. The feathery fronds make a lovely garnish for plated shrimp dishes.

Toasted fennel seeds add subtle sweetness to shrimp marinades, broths, and dry rubs. Crush them lightly before using to release their oils.

If you’re not a licorice fan, start with a small amount of fennel and increase gradually as your tastebuds adjust. A little goes a long way toward accenting, not overwhelming, shrimp’s flavor.

Mustard

Here’s a shrimp match-up you might not have considered before. The tongue-tingling brightness of mustard complements shrimp’s supple texture.

Whole-grain Dijon mustard is excellent for making quick shrimp sauces and dressings. Add it to melted butter for dipping or drizzle over shrimp before baking.

Spicy brown or yellow mustard can be whisked into shrimp marinades along with other acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, and hot sauce. The mustard amplifies their tang.

Prepared horseradish sauce also pairs well with shrimp, either as a condiment or mixed into cocktail sauce. Horseradish’s nasal-clearing heat offsets shrimp’s richness.

Italian Seasoning

This dried herb blend stars in shrimp scampi, one of the most popular ways to prepare shrimp. Italian seasoning contains several standout shrimp seasonings – oregano, basil, parsley, marjoram, and thyme.

The combination brings out the sweetness in shrimp while providing a pop of flavor. You’ll also find Italian seasoning in many shrimp breading recipes.

Make your own Italian blend for maximizing freshness. Or use a store-bought version – just read labels and look for ones without excessive salt.

Sprinkle on before cooking or add to butters, marinades, and sauces. Italian seasoning also pairs well with garlic, lemon, and red pepper flakes for Mediterranean-inspired shrimp.

What About Shrimp Scampi Seasoning?

Pre-made shrimp scampi seasoning mixes certainly sound appetizing. However, many contain low-quality ingredients like palm oil, preservatives, and ballooning amounts of salt.

You’re better off making your own version at home with healthy staples like garlic, lemon zest, parsley, red pepper flakes, and a touch of sea salt. It tastes exponentially better too!

Best Practices for Seasoning Shrimp

Now that you’re inspired to spice up your shrimp recipes, here are some tips for success:

• For raw shrimp, coat first with oil or melted butter so the seasoning adheres evenly.

• Apply rubs, herbs, and spices just before cooking so they don’t get soggy.

• err on the side of less seasoning at first. You can always add more later.

• Don’t overwhelm shrimp’s delicate flavor with strong spice combinations. Let one or two herbs or spices shine.

• Add fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, and dill just before serving to preserve their color and flavor.

• Finish cooked shrimp with a sprit