Delicious Sautéed Shrimp

Name: Delicious Sautéed Shrimp
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Ingredients: 1 lb shrimp (deshelled and thawed completely or fresh); ¼ cup butter (½ stick); 1 tsp smoked paprika; ¼ tsp cumin; ¼ tsp garlic powder; ¼ tsp onion powder; salt and pepper; ½ lemon; 2 tbsp parsley (chopped)

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Serve this savory, smoky, delicious sautéed shrimp as a main or over any number of recipes. Pastas, salads, tacos, and wraps alike will benefit from this tasty dish.

Shrimp has to be up there as one of my favorite versatile proteins. Like chicken, you can really have it with anything and it tastes amazing on its own as well. Be it shrimp fried rice, tacos, wontons, salad, or a shrimp cocktail, there are a million ways to enjoy these tender morsels, but I think I’ve found my new favorite method of preparing them. Looking for another flavorful shrimp dish? Check out this recipe for baked shrimp scampi as well.

With summer in full swing, I’ve been on the hunt for light recipes that will pair beautifully with the gorgeous weather. Ready in just minutes and seasoned to perfection, this delicious sautéed shrimp is a mouthwatering ingredient or main dish that the whole family will enjoy. Light, fragrant, and so good that everyone will want seconds. Explore our favorite summer dishes like cucumber tomato salad to accompany your meal.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This is so quick and easy but will really impress
The combination of smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder adds a savory and slightly smoky taste to the shrimp. For more shrimp recipe inspiration, you can check out our shrimp boats or shrimp fried rice.
You can serve it as a main dish, a topping, or filler for tacos, spring rolls, salads, or pastas. If you’re looking for a great pasta to pair it with, consider our chicken pesto pasta or for a salad option, the cucumber tomato salad is a refreshing choice.

Ingredients

The majority of these ingredients will involve your spice rack — all you’ll probably need to pick up from the store is the shrimp!

1 lb shrimp, deshelled and thawed completely or fresh
¼ cup butter (½ stick)
1 tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp cumin
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
salt and pepper
½ lemon
2 tbsp parsley, chopped

How to Make Sauteed Shrimp – The Steps

Step 1: Use a few sheets of paper towel to pat the shrimp dry, they need to be completely thawed and dried to be able to sauté.

Step 2: Sprinkle over all the spices, salt, and pepper and mix until all the shrimp are coated.

Step 3: In a hot pan melt the butter then add in the shrimp to cook over MED-HIGH heat. Use a spoon or spatula to keep the shrimp moving. If too much liquid comes out just drain the liquid out of the pan and carry on sautéing. They should cook for 2 – 3 minutes.

Step 4: Squeeze over the lemon and sprinkle on the parsley and enjoy.

Variations

The seasoning I chose for this recipe complements the shrimp well, but you shouldn’t feel limited to it! Find your favorite variation of this recipe for the perfect sautéed shrimp that suits your tastes.

Honey Garlic Shrimp: For a sweet and savory take on this recipe, make a sauce out of honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and a pinch of red pepper flakes and heat until thickened. Then, place your shrimp in the sauce until cooked through.
Coconut Curry Shrimp: Coat your shrimp in curry powder, cumin, coriander, and turmeric and sauté in the pan. Add a dash of coconut milk at the very end. For another curry-inspired dish, try our Shrimp Gumbo.
Spicy Szechuan Shrimp: Szechuan sauce is a spicy, savory, Asian sauce that tastes amazing with shrimp. You can either coat your shrimp in the sauce before sautéing, or add it to the pan halfway through cooking your shrimp. If you love a flavorful Asian dish featuring shrimp, our Shrimp Fried Rice is another great option.
Lemon Pepper Shrimp: This simple recipe calls for lemon zest, black pepper, salt, and a bit of olive oil. Slather this mixture over your shrimp and sauté as normal.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many recipes you’ll want to pair with this shrimp, but here’s a few ideas to get the ball rolling.

Easy Breakfast Tacos: Load some shrimp into these tacos either instead of or as well as the chorizo. Delicious, filling, and a great way to start the day.
Easy Kale Caesar Salad: This salad is fresh and creamy, and the only way to make it better is by adding a heap of shrimp on top. Perfect for a side dish or a main.
Quinoa Bowl Recipe: This vibrant, nutritious, and filling dish is just what you need to make this shrimp dish whole. Pair your protein with vegetables and grains for a well-rounded lunch or dinner.
Perfect Grilled Asparagus: Keep your meal simple with some tasty grilled asparagus. The seasoning on the shrimp pairs amazingly with the flavors of this grilled veg.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp instead of fresh?

Yes, just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking. Also be sure to use uncooked shrimp to avoid them becoming tough while executing this recipe.

Could I use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder?

Absolutely, fresh garlic is delicious! You can either grate, mince, or finely chop the garlic and add it in at the same time you add in the shrimp.

Am I able to substitute butter with another type of fat to make it dairy free?

Sure, you can use olive oil, coconut oil, or another cooking fat of your choice. It will definitely affect the taste though, so choose wisely.

How to Store Sautéed Shrimp

Let your shrimp cool completely before placing it in an airtight container like Tupperware or a sealable plastic bag, ensuring all of the air has been pushed out. You can keep your shrimp in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or the freezer for 3 months.

Defrost your shrimp in the refrigerator overnight if frozen, and then reheat over the stove or in the microwave until heated through. You may want to taste for seasoning, and then serve up your shrimp again!