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.
Boiled shrimp is a classic party food or appetizer for a reason – it’s easy, delicious, and versatile But what happens when the party’s over and you’ve got pounds of leftover boiled shrimp? Don’t toss it out! With a little creativity, leftover boiled shrimp can become the star ingredient in all kinds of dishes.
As a seafood lover and home cook, I’ve come up with 15 of my favorite ways to repurpose leftover boiled shrimp. With recipes perfect for appetizers, salads, soups, pasta, and more, you’ll never waste shrimp again.
Get Creative with Appetizers
Leftover boiled shrimp make easy yet impressive appetizers Here are a few of my favorite shrimp appetizer ideas
1. Shrimp Cocktail
The classic shrimp cocktail is a no-brainer. Simply peel, devein, and chill the shrimp, then serve with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce for dipping. Make it even easier by buying pre-cooked shrimp instead of boiling your own.
2. Shrimp Salad Lettuce Wraps
Chop or shred the shrimp and mix with some mayo lemon juice, diced celery and seasoning to make a quick shrimp salad. Spoon it into lettuce leaves for a refreshing, low-carb appetizer.
3. Shrimp Skewers
Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill or broil briefly until hot and lightly charred. Brush with melted butter, garlic, and herbs as they cook. Serve with dipping sauces like chimichurri, remoulade, or Thai peanut sauce.
4. Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Roll peeled shrimp in brown sugar then wrap with partially-cooked bacon and secure with a toothpick. Bake at 400°F until the bacon is crisp. The sweet and salty combo is addictive!
Toss Shrimp in Salads
The light flavor of shrimp pairs perfectly with fresh salad ingredients. Simply peel, chop, and mix in:
5. Shrimp Pasta Salad
Combine chopped shrimp with pasta, veggies, and Italian dressing for a protein-packed take on a classic pasta salad.
6. Shrimp Cobb Salad
Top mixed greens with shrimp, bacon, egg, avocado, tomato, blue cheese, and ranch dressing for a filling main-dish salad.
7. Shrimp Louie
Turn leftover shrimp into an elegant louie salad with greens, hard-boiled egg, tomato, avocado, cucumber, and homemade louie or thousand island dressing.
8. Shrimp and Grapefruit Salad
For a refreshing change of pace, toss shrimp with lettuce, sliced grapefruit, avocado, and citrus vinaigrette. The sweet-tart grapefruit complements the shrimp beautifully.
Soup It Up
Shrimp bisques, chowders, and seafood stews are amazing ways to use up a lot of leftover shrimp at once. Here are a few favorite shrimp soup recipes:
9. Quick Shrimp Bisque
Simmer the shrimp shells and tails in broth with onion, celery, garlic, and spices to infuse flavor. Strain out the solids, then mix in cream and puree. Fold in the chopped shrimp at the end to warm through.
10. Shrimp Corn Chowder
For a hearty chowder, saute onion, potatoes, corn, and seasonings. Add broth and milk or cream, then stir in bite-size shrimp just before serving so they don’t overcook.
11. Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo
Make a flavorful roux with oil and flour, then slowly whisk in broth. Add chopped veggies, leftover boiled sausage, and shrimp to the gumbo and serve over rice.
12. Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup
Simmer broth seasoned with red curry paste, lime, fish sauce, and ginger. Finish with coconut milk, cooked shrimp, chopped cilantro, and a squirt of lime.
Toss with Pasta
Pasta loves shrimp! Simply boil your favorite pasta shape while you peel and chop the shrimp. Then mix in any of these easy sauces:
13. Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
Melt butter with garlic, lemon juice, white wine, salt, and red pepper flakes. Toss with shrimp and pasta.
14. Cajun Cream Sauce
Saute onion, bell pepper, celery, and Cajun seasoning. Deglaze pan with white wine, then add heavy cream. Let reduce before tossing with shrimp and pasta.
15. Pesto Shrimp Linguine
Heat up pesto sauce or make your own by blending basil, olive oil, Parmesan, garlic, and pine nuts. Mix with shrimp and pasta, garnishing with extra Parmesan.
Even More Ideas
If you’re still searching for shrimp inspiration, consider:
- Shrimp tacos or burritos with slaw, avocado, and chipotle cream
- Shrimp fried rice or stir fry with veggies and Asian flavors
- Shrimp pizza with pesto sauce, tomatoes, cheese, and fresh basil
- Shrimp omelet or frittata with cheese, veggies, and herbs
- Shrimp sandwiches like po’ boys or rolls with remoulade or cocktail sauce
You can also freeze peeled, cooked shrimp for up to 3 months so it’s ready when you need it. With so many possibilities, you’ll look at leftover party shrimp as an opportunity instead of a chore. Get creative with recipes and enjoy shrimp in all its forms.
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.