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Close-up of perfectly cooked garlic butter shrimp, seasoned and garnished with parsley.

The Ultimate Shrimp Recipes Guide for Beginners

This guide is for beginner cooks who want to learn how to prepare shrimp. You will learn simple techniques to cook shrimp, making delicious meals without feeling overwhelmed.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Seafood
Calories: 221
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds medium shrimp deveined (tail-on or peeled)
  • 0.75 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.75 teaspoon smoked paprika (or standard paprika)
  • 0.75 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.75 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.75 teaspoon cumin
  • 3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
  • 3 wedges lemon
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • Large skillet
  • Tongs
  • Paper towel

Method
 

  1. If the shrimp are frozen, thaw them. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp with salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.
  3. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until they are opaque and cooked through. Use tongs to turn them.
  5. Squeeze lemon juice over the shrimp and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcalProtein: 34.3gFat: 9.5gSaturated Fat: 5.5gPotassium: 451.4mgVitamin A: 72.8IUCalcium: 111.4mgIron: 0.9mg

Notes

If you are new to cooking shrimp, start with olive oil. It can handle heat better than butter, which can burn easily. For a richer flavor, you can start with oil and finish with a pat of butter.
Sauteed shrimp is best when fresh. It will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Let the shrimp cool to room temperature before storing them in an airtight container. You can include the cooking juices to keep them moist. Gently reheat them in a skillet over low heat to prevent them from becoming rubbery.

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