22 Healthy Shrimp Recipes for Quick and Flavorful Dinners

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These Healthy Shrimp Recipes are quick, full of flavor, and totally versatile! Think zesty tacos, cozy pastas, fresh bowls, and more, all ready in 30 minutes or less. Whether you’re feeding the family on a busy weeknight or treating yourself to something special, there’s a shrimp dish here you’re going to love.

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If there’s one ingredient I always keep in my freezer, it’s shrimp. They cook in minutes, pair well with just about any flavor, and make even the busiest weeknight feel a little more special. The best part? Shrimp is light, healthy, and so versatile, you can toss it into tacos, swirl it through pasta, or pile it into a fresh, colorful bowl and never get bored.

That’s why I pulled together this list of 22 Healthy Shrimp Recipes that are quick, flavorful, and easy enough for any night of the week. From zesty tacos to cozy pasta dishes to fresh, vibrant bowls, these recipes prove that healthy dinners don’t have to be bland or complicated. Each one is ready in 30 minutes or less, so you can get a delicious meal on the table fast, without sacrificing flavor.

Tacos, Bowls & Salads

Shrimp Tacos

331 CAL 15 MIN
Shrimp tacos served on corn tortillas with avocado, cabbage, cilantro, lime wedges, and a creamy sauce.

These Shrimp Tacos are made with fresh shrimp seasoned with a homemade, smoky, spicy seasoning blend and cooked in a skillet until juicy. Spread a homemade cilantro lime sauce onto tortillas and add your favorite toppings for a quick 20-minute dinner!

Crispy creamy Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos that can be made in less than 30 minutes! This healthier version of the popular creamy, sweet, and spicy shrimp can be made in a skillet, air fryer, or grill for the perfect shrimp tacos.

Shrimp Tostadas

495 CAL 25 MIN
A plate of six shrimp tostadas with black beans, shredded cabbage, corn, avocado, and cilantro.

Shrimp Tostadas with blackened shrimp, creamy black beans, crunchy cabbage, sweet corn, and avocado are a healthy and light Mexican meal you will love. They're perfect for weeknights, summer entertaining, or any night you want big flavor in 25 minutes!

This Low Carb Shrimp Sushi Bowl is a quick and healthy meal that tastes like your favorite sushi without the complicated rolling. Made with cauliflower rice, this dish is keto and low carb friendly but most importantly is delicious and filing for any diet!

Mediterranean Shrimp Bowls are fresh, light, and downright addicting! Packed with juicy shrimp, crunchy veggies, and a creamy tzatziki drizzle, this dish brings all the vibrant Mediterranean flavors to your table in half an hour.

These Peruvian Shrimp Rice Bowls with seasoned shrimp, steamed rice, and a creamy aji verde style cilantro sauce are your new favorite healthy bowl recipes! They are quick, easy to make, and great for dinner or meal prep.

This Chopped Shrimp Salad recipe is light, refreshing, and ready in just 20 minutes. With juicy shrimp, creamy avocado, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, it's the perfect warm-weather meal for lunch, dinner, or even brunch.

Pastas, Flatbreads & Saucy Shrimp

Shrimp Scampi Flatbread is a lightened up, healthier way to enjoy shrimp scampi on a pizza! Packed with lemony shrimp, garlic, and cheese.

Pesto Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles is a low carb/keto friendly dish that has all the flavor of your favorite pesto pasta without the calories, carbs, and fat. Made with a quick homemade basil pesto, this dish comes together in no time and couldn't be tastier.

Garlic Parmesan Shrimp are roasted with garlic, butter, and Italian seasoning for a 15 minute meal or appetizer worthy of a restaurant.

Blackened Shrimp

203 CAL 10 MIN
Grilled shrimp garnished with herbs, served with a creamy dipping sauce on parchment paper, ready to enjoy.

Blackened Shrimp are tossed in a homemade blackening seasoning and melted butter and are seared in a hot skillet. They're ready in under 10 minutes and are perfect as a main dish, in tacos, bowls, pasta, rice, or even as an appetizer!

Grilled, Roasted & Skillet Dinners

Garlic Grilled Shrimp are made with a flavorful lemon-garlic marinade and grilled to perfection in under 10 minutes. Serve this dish alongside your favorite sides, like grilled broccoli or a spring mix salad, for the ultimate summertime meal.

Shrimp Fajitas make a delicious 15-minute dinner! Restaurant-worthy fajitas packed with shrimp, bell peppers, onions, and homemade fajita seasoning.

Sesame Shrimp

232 CAL 15 MIN
Sesame shrimp in a bowl with white rice, edamame, snow peas, and carrots.

Easy sesame shrimp tastes just like takeout and is ready in less than 10 minutes! The homemade sesame sauce is sweet and savory and the snow peas add lots of crunch.

This Firecracker Shrimp and Broccoli recipe is one of my favorite ways to whip up a quick, high-flavor dinner on busy weeknights. It's spicy, tangy, a little sweet, and comes together in just 15 minutes.

Make this healthy and delicious Salmon Stir Fry in less than 30 minutes! Packed with tender chunks of salmon, lots of fresh vegetables, and the most amazing homemade teriyaki-inspired stir-fry sauce.

This classic Fish and Shrimp Stew is made with fresh cod, sweet shrimp, and the most amazing tomato and garlic broth. Serve it as stew with crusty bread, over pasta, with polenta, or on a bed of rice.

Camarones Rancheros, or Ranchero Shrimp, are a spicy Mexican shrimp dish made with tender shrimp sauteed with tomatoes, serrano peppers, onion, garlic, and cilantro. It's ready in less than 30 minutes and packed with flavor.

Smart Tips for Cooking Shrimp at Home

  • Watch the cook time: Shrimp only need a couple of minutes per side. They're ready once they turn pink and opaque with a gentle "C" shape. If they curl into a tight "O," they're overdone.
  • Save time with prepped shrimp: Buying shrimp that's already peeled and deveined makes life easier, especially on busy weeknights.
  • Frozen shrimp are your friend: Don't worry if you can't find fresh—frozen shrimp are often flash-frozen right on the boat and taste just as good. Just thaw them in cold water before cooking.
  • Dry them off before cooking: A quick pat with a paper towel helps shrimp sear beautifully instead of steaming in excess moisture.
  • Don't be shy with seasoning: Shrimp are mild and soak up flavor like a sponge, so go bold with spices, marinades, or sauces.
  • Keep a bag on hand: Shrimp cook in under 10 minutes, making them one of the fastest proteins for healthy meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about cooking shrimp:

 

For best results, thaw them first in a bowl of cold water for 15–20 minutes. This helps them cook evenly and keeps the texture tender.

 

Medium or large shrimp are the most versatile. They're big enough for skewers but small enough to toss into stir-fries, tacos, or pasta dishes.

 

It depends. Tails make a pretty presentation and work well for finger foods like shrimp cocktail. For meals like pasta or rice bowls, it's easier to remove them ahead of time.

 

Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cooked shrimp for up to 3 months. Just thaw before reheating gently!

 

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