22 Healthy Shrimp Recipes (High Protein, Easy Weeknight Dinners)

Why Shrimp Is One of the Best High-Protein Foods

Few proteins are as flexible as shrimp. They absorb flavors quickly, pair with nearly every cuisine, and work across every cooking method.  Here are a few more reasons shrimp is the best:

• Low calorie, low fat, high protein:  A 200-calorie serving of shrimp delivers about 40 grams of protein… that is extremely difficult to match with almost any other whole food. This makes it easy to stay in a caloric deficit without feeling hungry or sacrificing muscle mass.

• Budget-friendly :  Surprisingly, Shrimp can be quite budget-friendly. Purchasing them frozen, in bulk, from warehouse stores like Costco or Sam’s Club brings the per-pound cost down a lot. Because shrimp are so dense in protein and so low in waste (especially if you buy pre-peeled), nearly every ounce you purchase ends up on your plate. I often find frozen wild-caught shrimp on SALE at Sprouts, so I’ll grab a few bags.

• Frozen convenience:  Frozen shrimp also have an extremely long freezer life…up to 12 months when properly stored. Stock up during sales without any risk of waste! Compared to other high-quality animal proteins like wild salmon, grass-fed beef, or organic chicken breast, wild-caught shrimp frequently come out ahead on a cost-per-gram-of-protein basis.

• Fast cooking time:  Shrimp cook in just 2 to 4 minutes.That is not an exaggeration. Whether you are sautéing in a hot skillet, baking, steaming, grilling, or air frying, shrimp go from raw to perfectly cooked faster than almost any other protein on the planet.

Hitting a daily protein goal + saving money on the grocery budget + getting dinner on the table in under 15 minutes + eating delicious food that actually supports your long-term health = Shrimp is the answer. 

How to Cook Shrimp Perfectly Every Time

• Cook time:  When cooking shrimp, it is best to not overcook them since they can become a bit rubbery if you do.  For the best shrimp texture, you only need to cook fresh between 2-5 minutes and frozen shrimp between 5-10 minutes.  
• Cooking Methods:  One of the great things about shrimp is you can use several methods to cook them.  Whether you use a skillet, oven, grill, or even the air fryer, they cook up quick and tender every time!
• Frozen vs fresh:  Fresh and frozen shrimp are both great!  If you plan to cook the shrimp the same day, then you can buy it fresh.  However, frozen shrimp is just as good plus it provides convenience and can often be more budget-friendly.  You can store frozen shrimp in the freezer for up to 3 months and pull out just the amount you want, when you want.

22 Healthy Shrimp Recipes

Ready to dive in to eating more shrimp? Here are 22 healthy shrimp recipes you are going to love. Everything from shrimp salads, to shrimp bowls and one pan shrimp skillets, you can find it here.

Quick & Easy Shrimp Recipes (15 Minutes or Less)

These next four shrimp recipes can be cooked and ready to eat in just 15 minutes or less making them perfect whenever you need a fast meal. They are also great for quick and easy meal prep throughout the week.

1. Quick Blackened Shrimp

This Quick Blackened Shrimp Recipe is perfect if you need a fast 15-minute meal on a busy weeknight. Bold spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika along with the sweetness of natural raw honey give these grilled shrimp a bold delicious flavor. Use them on a salad, in a bowl, or for an easy lunch prep.

2. Garlic Butter Shrimp

This Garlic Butter Shrimp is an easy 15-minute meal that cooks up fast in a skillet. Buttery, lemony, and perfectly seasoned, this easy shrimp dinner idea makes cooking on a weeknight seem effortless. Use them on a salad, in a bowl, or tossed with some zucchini noodles.

3. 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp

This 10 Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp cooks even faster than the others! In just 10 minutes you will have a high protein shrimp dinner that is both sweet and savory. The sweet honey garlic sauce makes this a family favorite for any meal. Serve this sweet and salty shrimp over brown rice, on a salad, or in your favorite meal prep bowl.

4. Chili Lime Shrimp Wraps

This Chili Lime Shrimp Wraps recipe is ready to eat in just 15 minutes. It is an recipe for a light lunch or snack with high protein. The tangy lime and creamy avocado combine to make a satisfying wrap that will make you think of summer even in the middle of winter. This shrimp is best served on a crisp lettuce wrap made of butter lettuce, romaine, or even radicchio.

High-Protein Shrimp Bowls & Meal Prep Ideas

While shrimp is high in protein by itself, these shrimp recipes are even higher in protein because of what the shrimp is paired with. Check them out!

5. Teriyaki Shrimp Bowls

This Teriyaki Shrimp Bowl is a quick lunch or dinner idea ready in 20 minutes. In this bowl recipe, teriyaki flavored shrimp tops nutritious cauliflower rice helping you hit all your protein and veggie goals for the day! They are easy to meal prep for a quick after after school, work, or workout boost. This teriyaki shrimp would also be delicious over brown rice, quinoa, or in a lettuce wrap.

6. Charred Shrimp Bowls

This Charred Shrimp Bowls come together quickly and are packed full of protein and vegetables. The bright burst of flavor comes from a homemade pesto drizzle that brings all the ingredients together. This shrimp bowl is a quick 15 minute meal idea and perfect when you need something fast.

7. Shrimp + Pineapple Salsa Bowls

When tropical fruit is in season and on sale, this Shrimp + Pineapple Salsa Bowl makes a great meal prep bowl or easy dinner. The pineapple will take you straight into summer, no matter what season you’re actually in. This bowl can be made fast with pre-made ingredients, plus the tropical salsa keeps well in the fridge to spice up some of your other meals through the week.

8. Spicy Shrimp Burrito Bowls

Spicy Shrimp Burrito Bowls turn up the heat on your traditional shrimp bowl. Spicy shrimp complements a sweet black bean and corn salasa which is all served over brown rice. This is a complete meal that will satisfy your hunger and keep full longer. The shrimp also works on a lettuce wrap or over cauliflower rice for a lower carb option.

Healthy Shrimp Salads & Light Meals

Sometimes you just need a super light and fast meal, and shrimp recipes are perfect for that! Since they are low in calories and cook really quickly, you will have no problem making shrimp as a light lunch or snack.

9. BLT Shrimp Salad

Who doesn’t love the taste of fresh lettuce and tomato accompanied by crispy bacon?! Well, this BLT Shrimp Salad will satisfy all your BLT cravings while increasing the protein with perfectly seasoned shrimp. Made with paprika and garlic, then served over a bed of crisp lettuce, you are going to want this to be your go-to lunch recipe.

10. Shrimp & Quinoa Salad

When you put shrimp and quinoa together, you get a protein-packed meal that is low in calories and high in nutrition. This Shrimp & Quinoa Salad combines the two plus veggies and will help you reach you protein goals in no time.

11. Shrimp Avocado Taco Salad

This Shrimp Avocado Taco Salad uses some of my favorite ingredients like marinated shrimp, creamy avocados, and tart cherry tomatoes all served over a fresh bed of lettuce. When you are trying to eat healthy whole foods, it’s important to eat foods you love, and I think you are going to love this shrimp! It also goes well in cauliflower rice taco bowls, and on lettuce wraps with chopped avocado.

12. Shrimp Salad Wraps

Tender chopped shrimp mixed with creamy homemade mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard and lemon juice makes the perfect shrimp salad. Which I love to use on these Shrimp Salad Wraps! They are so easy to meal prep, even for kid’s lunches. The peas add extra protein and a bit of sweetness. Overall, these wraps are so easy and ready in less than 15 minutes, so you are going to want to make them over and over again.

Oven Baked Shrimp Recipes

There are so many ways you can cook shrimp but in the oven is a great choice! It is hands off and there is no extra oil required. The shrimp turn out perfectly cooked and crisp in just about 10 minutes! Enjoy!

13. Parmesan Baked Shrimp

This very easy Parmesan Baked Shrimp recipe is perfect as a one-pan, fail-proof meal that is quick to make. The parmesan, butter, and garlic flavors are scrumptious and the chili flakes give it all a bit of heat. Even though it is made in the oven this shrimp cooks in just 7-8 minutes, making it another super easy, super fast meal idea.

14. Baked Coconut Shrimp

A batch of this Baked Coconut Shrimp doesn’t last long in our house! They’re made with unsweetened shredded coconut so they’re not loaded down with sugar, and the coconut crisps up on the outside giving these shrimp an enjoyable texture. If you want to make them even more delicious, dip the shrimp in Tzatziki sauce!.

15. Baked Lemon Parsley Shrimp

This Baked Lemon Parsley Shrimp cooks up fast in the oven for a quick and easy meal idea with lots of protein. Its bright refreshing lemon flavor is great on top of zucchini zoodles, brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice. Plus it has a little bit of spice to take the flavors up a notch.

16. One-Pan Cilantro-Lime Shrimp

The simple flavors of this One-Pan Cilantro-Lime Shrimp are light and refreshing. They are perfect served over a fresh bed of lettuce with ripe tomatoes and creamy avocado slices. Since they’re ready in just 10 minutes, this is just the kind of protein-packed quick meal you with want to make on repeat.

Flavor-Packed Shrimp Recipes (Bold & Global Flavors)

When it comes to shrimp, it is the perfect protein because it takes on the flavors of the dish. So when it comes to bold exotic spices, you can expect bold, exotic shrimp flavor!

17. Cajun Shrimp & Rice

This easy Cajun Shrimp & Rice skillet meal is full of spicy Cajun shrimp and healthy brown rice. This flavor packed shrimp meal is affordable due to the frozen shrimp and homemade Cajun seasoning. This is a delicious meal prep idea and it lasts up to 3 days in the refrigerator. You could also use this spicy shrimp on any burrito bowl, on a lettuce wrap, or swap the rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice.

18. Tuscan Shrimp Skillet

In just 20 minutes you can have this Tuscan Shrimp Skillet on the table. It’s a creamy, tomatoey, one-pan meal made with fresh basil and served over your choice of brown rice, quinoa, or spaghetti squash. This meal feels indulgent, but is actually made with healthy, whole food ingredients.

19. Culichi Salsa Shrimp

One of my absolute favorite things to eat is this Culichi Salsa Shrimp. The sauce, or salsa, is made by blending roasted poblano peppers, garlic, and onion with cream. In this recipe, I swap the cream for tangy Greek yogurt creating a creamy, smooth sauce that perfectly complements the shrimp. You’ve got to try it!

20. Jerk Shrimp Bowls

The deep, spicy flavors and sweet pineapple used in this Jamaican Jerk Shrimp and Pineapple Bowl are enough to transport you straight to the island itself. The shrimp is made on just one sheet pan and ready in under 20 minutes. The sweet and spicy are definitely going to make you happy!

Creative & Fun Shrimp Meals

Who says food can’t be fun? Sometimes getting my kids to eat different healthy foods can be challenging, but as soon as I make it fun, they are willing to try it. Plus, these recipes go over really well when we have company! They are fun and flavorful shrimp recipes!

21. Shrimp “Sushi” Stacks

Looking for a fun and creative shrimp meal to impress your guests? Then you will love these Shrimp “Sushi” Stacks. Not only are they filling, but they are a easy way to create your favorite sushi flavors at home…with out all the rolling. The sushi stacks will satisfy your need for umami flavor and are great to make ahead for an easy snack or entertaining.

22. Pineapple Shrimp Bowls

Another fun recipe that my whole family loves (because who wouldn’t love eating out of a pineapple boat?) are these Pineapple Shrimp Bowls. In late summer, when pineapples are at they’re sweetest, these pineapple bowls with shrimp have become a tradition. The bold flavors and festive bowls help us say goodbye to summer with style.

Tips for Buying and Storing Shrimp

Shrimp can be a bit pricy, so to bring that price down I like to buy in bulk from Costco or Sam’s Club.

Fresh shrimp will only keep in the refrigerator for 1 day, so if you buy it, be sure to use it the same day.

As for frozen shrimp, you can keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months without worry or pop it into the deep freezer for 1 year.

Final Thoughts / Call to Action

On a weeknight when you have just 15 minutes and no energy left, shrimp is the answer! Fast food that is actually good for you and affordable. Keep a bag in your freezer at all times and you’ll never regret it!

If you loved this list of healthy shrimp recipes, save it to your favorite food Pinterest board!

More recipe round ups you’ll love:

• 22 Healthy Game Time Recipes to Make Your Crowd Happy!
• 21 Healthy Chicken Salad Recipes For Clean Eating and Meal Prep
• 25 Healthy Recipes on a Budget (Frugal Clean Eating)
• 20 of CFC’s Best Yogurt Recipes
• 6 Clean Eating Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes for the Perfect Day!
• 15 BEST Gluten-Free Recipes
• Natural Energy Boosters: 15 Snackable Recipes to Fuel Your Day
• 25 Best Potluck Recipes (plus 5 Bonus Desserts!)
• 22 Healthy Shrimp Recipes (High Protein, Easy Weeknight Dinners)