20 Tasty Ways to Use Up Leftover Popcorn Shrimp

You can make this quick and easy pasta with shrimp recipe in no time! Thanks to Gorton’s Seafood for sponsoring this recipe!

Your home will smell like sweet garlic butter, and the popcorn shrimp will be golden and ready to eat. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

This pasta with shrimp recipe is great for a weeknight dinner for the whole family, and Gorton’s doesn’t skimp on the shrimp! You’ll want to make it every week.

Cedar Plank Shrimp Over Alfredo Zoodles is another delicious dish I’ve made using shrimp. But also, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Skewers are very easy to toss on the grill. So much shrimp, so little time!.

Popcorn shrimp is hands-down one of the most addictive appetizers out there The crispy, crunchy coating surrounding the sweet shrimp is irresistible. It’s no wonder popcorn shrimp is a crowd favorite!

But what do you do when you inevitably have leftovers after serving up this tasty snack? It would be a shame to toss them out. Luckily there are tons of creative ways to repurpose extra popcorn shrimp into new dishes.

As a mom who loves throwing fun get-togethers, I’m always looking for ways to reinvent leftovers. Over the years, I’ve discovered some genius recipes for using up extra popcorn shrimp. Here are 20 of my favorites!

Why You Should Use Leftover Popcorn Shrimp

Before we get into the recipes, let’s go over why it’s worth the effort to reuse popcorn shrimp.

First, making popcorn shrimp from scratch takes time. It involves breading and frying each piece individually. So when you’ve gone through that effort, you want to get the most out of it.

Second, the crunchy coating on popcorn shrimp doesn’t reheat well. It gets soggy when you try to reheat it. So leftover shrimp loses its signature crunch. The best way to preserve that texture is to repurpose it.

Finally, incorporating shrimp into new dishes adds a boost of extra protein. It’s a great way to use up leftovers and get more nutritional bang for your buck.

Salads and Bowls

Cool shrimp salads are a light, fresh way to breathe new life into leftovers. The sweet shrimp pairs perfectly with crisp greens and veggies.

Shrimp taco salad: Toss shrimp with lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, beans, tortilla strips, and a chipotle dressing.
Popcorn shrimp poke bowl: Mix shrimp with sushi rice, edamame, cucumber, carrot, avocado, and ginger dressing.
Shrimp and spinach salad: Baby spinach, red onions, mushrooms, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and shrimp make a protein-packed salad.
Shrimp club salad: Romaine, shrimp, turkey, bacon, eggs, avocado, tomato, and homemade ranch dressing = an indulgent salad.
Shrimp Caesar salad: Chilled shrimp, romaine, Parmesan, croutons, and a zesty Caesar dressing are a match made in heaven.

Sandwiches and Wraps

Sandwiches are another great way to repurpose leftover popcorn shrimp. The shrimp adds a wonderful crunch factor!

Shrimp rolls: Mix shrimp with mayo, lemon juice, celery, and herbs and pile it onto toasted buns for a New England classic.
Shrimp tacos: Warm corn tortillas filled with crunchy shrimp, cabbage, pico de gallo, and a spicy crema will become your new go-to.
Shrimp po’ boy: Crispy shrimp, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and remoulade sauce piled high on a toasted hoagie = sandwich perfection.
**Shrimp banh mi:**Vietnamese baguettes stuffed with shrimp, pickled veggies, cucumber, cilantro, and Sriracha mayo are simply amazing.
Shrimp wraps: Shrimp, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and ranch dressing taste delicious wrapped up in a tortilla or flatbread.

Pasta Dishes

Tossing crunchy popcorn shrimp with pasta is an easy way to transform it into a tasty entrée. The textures pair so nicely together.

Shrimp scampi: Mix garlic butter, white wine, parsley, lemon and shrimp with linguine for a classic Italian pasta.
Shrimp Alfredo: Toss fettuccine with homemade Alfredo sauce and extra crunchy shrimp for a creamy, decadent dish.
Shrimp pad Thai: Rice noodles, shrimp, peanuts, and sweet and tangy tamarind sauce make an incredible Southeast Asian noodle dish.
Shrimp carbonara: Crispy shrimp, smoky bacon, eggy pasta, and Parmesan cheese unite to create pasta perfection.
Shrimp lo mein: Lo mein noodles, shrimp, mushrooms, veggies, oyster sauce, and sriracha make a flavorful stir-fried noodle dish.

Soups and Chowders

Popcorn shrimp adds wonderful texture and flavor when simmered in hearty soups and stews.

Shrimp bisque: Purée the shells into a smooth, creamy base then finish the soup with shrimp, cream, and sherry. Garnish with parsley.
Shrimp gumbo: Okra, bell peppers, onions, spicy andouille sausage, shrimp, and dark roux lend authentic Creole flavor. Serve over rice.
Shrimp chowder: Potatoes, corn, bacon, and shrimp in a creamy base make this classic chowder a crowd-pleaser.
Shrimp ramen: Transform leftover shrimp and veggies into a flavorful noodle soup by simmering them in chicken broth with ramen noodles, soy sauce, and mushrooms.
Tom yum goong: This popular Thai soup features an addicting balance of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors from shrimp, lemongrass, fish sauce, and chilies.

Easy Appetizers

Of course, you can serve leftover popcorn shrimp in the most obvious way – as an appetizer! Consider these easy ideas:

Shrimp cocktail: Chilled leftover shrimp served with a ramekin of cocktail sauce makes for an elegant starter.
Baked shrimp dip: Mix shrimp with cream cheese, Parmesan, lemon juice, and bacon. Bake until bubbly and serve with crackers or chips.
Coconut shrimp skewers: Thread shrimp onto skewers, roll in coconut flakes, and bake or broil until slightly browned.
Bang bang shrimp cups: Toss shrimp in a creamy, spicy sauce and serve in mini phyllo cups for an easy bite.
Shrimp nachos: Pile tortilla chips with shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole, jalapeños, and crunchy shrimp.

Hearty Mains and Bakes

Take your shrimp to the main course with these satisfying recipes perfect for dinner.

Shrimp and grits: Cheesy grits topped with spicy shrimp, bacon, green onions, and tomato elevate this Southern classic.
Shrimp fried rice: Toss chilled shrimp with rice, eggs, peas, carrots, oyster sauce, green onions, sesame oil, and soy sauce.
Shrimp fajitas: Sauté shrimp with bell peppers and onion, stuff into warm tortillas, and top with all the fixings.
Shrimp enchiladas: Stuff tortillas with cheesy shrimp, smother in enchilada sauce, more cheese, and bake until bubbly.
Shrimp jambalaya: Shrimp, spicy sausage, trinity, tomatoes, and Cajun seasoning make this Creole rice dish seriously bold.

Global Flavors

Popcorn shrimp is the perfect protein to reinvent in ethnic dishes from around the globe.

Shrimp tacos: Warm corn tortillas topped with garlic shrimp, cabbage, avocado, and a spicy crema. Authentic street tacos!
Coconut shrimp curry: Simmer shrimp in a Thai red curry with coconut milk, ginger, and basil served over jasmine rice.
Shrimp stir fry: Quickly stir fry shrimp with soy sauce, veggies, and sesame oil for an easy Asian-inspired dinner.
Shrimp étouffée: Shrimp smothered in a savory sauce with the Cajun trinity over rice is sheer comfort food.
Shrimp paella: This famous Spanish rice dish features saffron rice, shrimp, chicken, sausage, peas, and peppers.

Breakfast Time

Don’t forget breakfast and brunch! Popcorn shrimp also shines in the AM.

Shrimp omelet: Sauté shrimp, onions, cheese, and spinach, then fold into fluffy beaten eggs for an omelet.
Shrimp hash: Pan fry shrimp, potatoes, bell pepper, onion, and Cajun seasoning for a supreme Sunday brunch.
Shrimp toast: Spread some Sriracha mayo on toast, then top with crunchy shrimp sautéed with ginger, garlic, and green onion.
Shrimp and grits: Cheesy grits topped with spicy shrimp, bacon, green onions, and tomato can’t be beat!
Shrimp biscuit sandwich: Split and toast biscuits, then fill with sautéed shrimp, cheese, bacon, and a spicy remoulade sauce.

Final Thoughts

As you can see

what to make with popcorn shrimp

Cheese Over Pasta with Shrimp

This is completely optional. But if you love cheese, you’ve got to sprinkle a little cheese over your pasta with shrimp, right?.

If you opt for cheese, I would suggest using a grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Sprinkle this onto each bowl of pasta once they’re plated for a little added zing!.

So here’s how we do the leftovers of this garlic pasta with Gorton’s Popcorn Shrimp.

Don’t skimp on the shrimp for this meal; rather, pile it high and save the rest of the box for another meal. The shrimp goes directly on top of each plated pasta (not in the big bowl).

Any leftover pasta goes right into the refrigerator after we’re done serving. The next day, we’ll reheat the pasta in the microwave, and cook up more popcorn shrimp. BAM, another delicious meal ready to go!.

It’s that easy to use up the leftovers!

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what to make with popcorn shrimp

How To Make Pasta with Shrimp

Grab your box of Gorton’s Popcorn Shrimp, preheat the oven, and get them prepared on a baking sheet. They’ll cook nearly simultaneously with the pasta.

In a small saucepan, combine the pasta garlic butter sauce ingredients.

In a large pasta pot, bring water to a boil.

Cook the shrimp and pasta at the same time. Melt the butter and stir in the garlic and Italian spices.

Drain the water from the pasta and add it to each plate or bowl. Toss Gorton’s Popcorn Shrimp on each dish and then drizzle with the pasta sauce.

Easy Popcorn Shrimp

How do you make popcorn shrimp?

This popcorn shrimp recipe is tender bites of shrimp coated in seasonings and deep fried to golden brown perfection. An easy appetizer option that’s sure to be a hit with family and friends. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, salt, paprika, pepper and garlic power. Pat the shrimp dry and place them in a large bowl.

What to serve with popcorn shrimp?

Creamy and garlicky, this shrimp sauce is delicious and so easy to make. Just mix together some mayo, garlic, and lemon juice and you’re done! I like to serve it with popcorn shrimp as an appetizer, but it would also be great on chicken or fish. You can also add in some hot sauce or diced peppers for a little extra flavor.

Is there popcorn in a shrimp dish?

There’s no actual popcorn in this shrimp dish. Popcorn shrimp is an appetizer made of tender shrimp that’s coated in a seasoned breading, then fried until golden and crispy. They’re usually made with the smallest shrimp, so they’re bite-sized, which you pop in your mouth by the handful – just like you would with a bowl of popcorn.

What is a good dip for popcorn shrimp?

This is a great dip for popcorn shrimp, and it’s really easy to make. Just mix together some mayo, Sriracha sauce, rice vinegar, and honey. The result is a slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and very addicting sauce. You can customize the level of spice by adjusting the amount of Sriracha that you add.