Here's an Easy Sautéed Shrimp Recipe that cooks in minutes on the stove with just a few ingredients. This healthy recipe offers tips to suit your taste and favorite shrimp dishes.
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This sautéed shrimp recipe is the best way to get a meal on the table in minutes or prepare pre-cooked shrimp for dishes that call for them. For example, these Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs add zip to a traditional Southern dish, and you get the taste of shrimp in every spicy bite!
There's also this Shrimp Salad, which is similar to Shrimp Remoulade. It's dressed in a spicy horseradish sauce with a sweet Cajun kick.
For a New Orleans-inspired dish, try this Cajun Shrimp and Grits Recipe with Andouille Sausage or the Shrimp Mold Recipe, a New Orleans-style molded dip, as an appetizer.
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Ingredients
Shrimp is a healthful, low-calorie, low-carb, high-protein ingredient that's high in cholesterol. Since this dish has few ingredients added to the shrimp, it is still one of those healthy recipes eaten in moderation. You can use fresh shrimp or defrosted ones from the freezer, and these simple seasonings are probably sitting in your pantry right now.
- Shrimp-Gulf shrimp or shrimp harvested closest to your home are best. Use any size, but medium shrimp work well. Peel and devein the shrimp before cooking.
- Olive oil - a heart-healthy alternative to butter and other oils.
- Salt - sea salt or table salt accentuates the flavor of the shrimp.
- Garlic granules - concentrated flavor that's easy to add to shrimp instead of fresh garlic. Garlic powder sometimes clumps, so I use the granules instead.
- Cayenne pepper - this pepper adds a fiery spice, enhancing the flavor of the shrimp.
See the printable recipe card below for specific ingredient amounts and the nutritional value in the list of nutritious facts.
Instructions
Sautéed shrimp cooks quickly, making it perfect for an easy meal or for dishes that call for pre-cooked or leftover shrimp.
Place the shrimp in a medium bowl, sprinkle them with the seasonings, and stir to combine.
Place a large skillet over medium heat, then pour the oil into the pan and heat it.
Add the shrimp to the hot oil in a single layer.
Toss to cook evenly for 3 to 4 minutes, or until they turn pink; larger shrimp will take a little longer, and smaller shrimp may take less time.
Remove the shrimp from the pan and transfer them to a bowl or dish so they do not continue to cook in the hot pan.
Serve as is, or use them in shrimp dishes, or toss them into a salad.
HINT - If you have shell-on shrimp, after peeling and deveining, be sure to pass your fingers through the uncooked shrimp to ensure they are free of shells and black veins, rinse in cold water, drain, and pat dry with a paper towel.
Substitutions
- For less effort, use this House Seasoning Blend or your favorite Cajun seasoning instead of the seasonings listed above.
- You may use any other light-tasting oil, such as avocado oil, that doesn't overpower the shrimp's flavor.
- For a buttery taste, use the same amount of butter as you would oil.
- Freshly chopped or pressed garlic adds great flavor, unlike easy-to-use garlic granules.
- A sprinkle of red pepper flakes instead of cayenne gives a more concentrated spice. A little goes a long way, and crushing them between your fingers helps release the heat.
Variations
- A splash of fresh lemon juice pairs well with shrimp, brightening and freshening the flavor.
- Season the shrimp with taco seasoning, then use these sautéed shrimp for shrimp tacos or taco salad; a squeeze of lime juice takes it over the top.
- Add Italian seasoning and/or fresh herbs to the recipe ingredients above and pour them over cooked pasta for an Italian-inspired pasta dish.
- Double the recipe to prepare for a crowd or to use in multiple shrimp dish recipes.
Storage
Cool the leftover sautéed shrimp completely before refrigerating or freezing.
You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months.
Think ahead for easy prep! You can also store sautéed shrimp in the freezer to make shrimp dishes whenever you want.
Top tip
For best results, keep a close eye on the shrimp while cooking so they do not overcook; if they do, they will become tough and dry.
FAQ
Sautéed shrimp is shrimp cooked lightly in a pan with a small amount of fat and seasonings, stirring until the shrimp are pink and tender.
Place raw, peeled, cleaned, and seasoned shrimp into a pan of hot oil or butter, and stir until just cooked. This cooks quickly.
Cook the shrimp for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side or 3 to 4 minutes while stirring them around in the pan.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these shrimp dishes:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this easy shrimp recipe:
📖 Recipe
Easy Sautéed Shrimp, Simple Stove Top Recipe
Simmer shrimp with a few ingredients for a simple meal or recipes that call for cooked shrimp,
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic granules
- ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place shrimp into a medium bowl, sprinkle shrimp with seasonings, and stir to mix.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat, pour the oil into the pan, and heat the oil.
- Add the shrimp to the hot oil, tossing it to cook evenly for 3 to 4 minutes or when it becomes pink.
- Serve as is, or use the cooked shrimp in recipes that call for pre-cooked shrimp, toss with pasta, or into salads.
Notes
- Recipe easily doubles for larger crowds and prepping for other recipes.
- Before cooking, pass your fingers through the shrimp to ensure they are free of shells and black veins, rinse in cool water, drain, and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Don't overcook the shrimp, or they will become tough and dry.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Sautee
- Cuisine: American
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"If things go wrong don't go with them."
Roger Babson
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