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    Home » Seafood Recipes » Spicy Shrimp

    Spicy Shrimp

    Last updated: Dec 6, 2021 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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    Bursting with flavor, spicy shrimp are amazing and so easy to make. They're ready in 15 minutes!

    Serve them as an appetizer, as a main dish over cauliflower rice, or use them in salads and in tacos.

    Spicy shrimp served on a black plate.

    I have quite a few shrimp recipes on this website. My entire family enjoys them and they are so easy to make. Plus, they are ready fast!

    I always have a package or two of frozen shrimp in the freezer, so it's just a matter of remembering to defrost them the night before - although you can also quickly defrost them in a bowl of lukewarm water if needed.

    I especially love these spicy shrimp. They are so very tasty, and - just as important - very easy to make. My husband, who loves well-seasoned foods, requests them often, and I am happy to oblige!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty shrimp recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    The ingredients needed to make spicy shrimp.

    Olive oil: I love cooking with this delicious oil. But if you'd rather use an oil with a higher smoke point, you can use avocado oil instead.

    Kosher salt: If using fine salt, you should reduce the amount you use, or the dish could end up too salty.

    Spices: I like to use chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

    Raw shrimps: Peeled and deveined. The tail can be on or off - it's up to you.

    Parsley: Used for garnish, so if you don't have any on hand, you can skip it.

    Instructions

    Making these spicy shrimp is so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here's an overview of the steps:

    Your first step is to heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

    Next, you add the shrimp and the spices.

    Cook until the shrimp are cooked through and opaque, about 5 minutes.

    Garnish with parsley and serve. That's it!

    A photo collage showing the steps for making spicy shrimp.

    Expert tip

    If using extra-large shrimp, place them on the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side. For smaller shrimp, cook for a total of about 5 minutes, stirring often.

    Frequently asked questions

    Are these shrimp very spicy?

    You can make them as spicy or as mild as you like. It all depends on how much cayenne pepper you add.

    I usually add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne for a subtle kick, but you can go up to ½ teaspoon. Or use just a pinch for minimal heat.

    Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?

    No. This recipe was written for raw shrimp. While you could very briefly saute cooked shrimp in olive oil and spices, it won't be as good.

    Pre-cooked shrimp tend to be too soft and not very flavorful, and sauteing them will further deteriorate their texture.

    Should I marinate the shrimp before cooking?

    There's no need to marinate them. Simply add them to the skillet, add the spices, and cook until they're cooked through.

    Variations

    I love this recipe as is and almost always make it as written. But in case you'd like to vary the basic recipe, here are a few ideas for you:

    • You can cook the shrimp in ghee instead of olive oil. I love the nutty flavor it adds.
    • A generous pinch of cumin is very good in this recipe.
    • Use fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder. Try 3-4 garlic cloves.

    Serving suggestions

    I usually simply serve these tasty shrimp on plates, with just about any side dish (microwave broccoli is super easy).

    Sometimes I serve them over cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, or on a bed of green leaves such as spinach or arugula. You can also use them in salads, in tacos, or in wraps.

    Spicy shrimp served on arugula leaves.
    Spicy shrimp served on a bed of arugula leaves

    Storing leftovers

    You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a shallow airtight container, for up to three days. I like to use them cold in a shrimp salad, but you can also gently reheat them in the microwave on 50% power.

    Spicy shrimp served on a black dinner plate.

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    👩🏻‍🍳 I aim to publish a new recipe once or twice a month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Spicy shrimp served on a dark plate.
    4.99 from 404 votes
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    15-Minute Spicy Shrimp Recipe

    Bursting with flavor, these spicy shrimp are so easy to make. They're ready in 15 minutes! Serve them on cauliflower rice, or use them in salads and tacos.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time15 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 306kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 lb. extra-large raw shrimp 21-25 per lb., peeled and deveined
    • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish

    Instructions

    • Heat the olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Add the shrimp and the spices.
    • Cook until the shrimp are cooked through and opaque, about 5 minutes. If using extra-large shrimp, place them on the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side. For smaller shrimp, cook for a total of about 5 minutes, stirring often.
    • Garnish with parsley and serve, on cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, or on a bed of green leaves such as spinach or arugula.

    Video

    Notes

    We're using quite a bit of chili powder here and cooking it over medium-high heat, so you can expect some amount of chile fumes. If you're sensitive to those, you can try to mitigate them to some extent by opening your kitchen window and turning on the range hood fan. 

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    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 0.5recipe | Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1633mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g
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    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Valerie Lunsford-Winbush

      September 10, 2023 at 4:03 pm

      5 stars
      I made this shrimp today for my husband and myself. It was absolutely delicious! We love shrimp with a little zip. I wouldn't change a thing about it. Most of the ingredients I keep on hand anyway, so it is also budget-friendly. This recipe reminds me of shrimp on the barbie sold at Outback Steakhouse. This recipe is a keeper. Thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
      • Vered DeLeeuw

        September 10, 2023 at 7:26 pm

        You're very welcome, Valerie! Thank you for leaving a comment.

        Reply

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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