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Close-up of perfectly cooked, seasoned shrimp, part of The Ultimate Shrimp Recipes Guide for Beginners.

The Ultimate Shrimp Recipes Guide for Beginners

This recipe shows you how to cook shrimp simply. You can make this quick sauteed shrimp dish in about 10 minutes. It is suitable for beginners and is gluten-free.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Seafood
Calories: 221
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds medium, deveined shrimp (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 Olive oil is easier for beginners.
  • 3 wedges lemon For spritzing
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • Large skillet
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Thaw the shrimp, if frozen. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix shrimp with salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the butter or oil on medium-high heat.
  4. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just opaque and cooked through. Turn them with tongs.
  5. Spritz with lemon juice 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 handles heat better than butter, which can burn if you are not careful. For more flavor, start with oil and finish with a small amount of butter.
Sauteed shrimp tastes best fresh. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Include any cooking juices to keep the shrimp moist. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery.

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