Southern Shrimp Recipes - Southern Living

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Coconut Shrimp

This oven-fried favorite gets its tropical flavor from jerk seasoning and coconut and its crispy coating from Japanese breadcrumbs. It’s as tasty as the fried version without all the mess and fat grams. Serve the shrimp or our chicken variation with creamy Honey-Mustard Sauce, made with nonfat yogurt, coarse-grain mustard, honey, and a kick of horseradish. It's sure to satisfy your craving for Southern-fried flavor.

Recipe: Coconut Shrimp

Peel-and-Eat Shrimp

Set up a serving area for the shrimp and sauces on your kitchen island or breakfast table, and let everyone help themselves. To shortcut prep, ask your seafood monger to steam shrimp for you.

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Shrimp-and-Blue Cheese Spread

Serve this rich-and-creamy dip with French bread baguette slices, pickled Jerusalem artichokes, and crunchy baby vegetables like carrots, celery, cucumber slices, and radishes.

Recipe: Shrimp-and-Blue Cheese Spread

Grilled Shrimp-and-Green Bean Salad

This salad is perfect for busy weeknights and casual get-togethers. The shrimp can be grilled up to a day ahead. Store the prepared dressing in the fridge for up to a week; return to room temperature just before tossing with the salad.

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp-and-Green Bean Salad

Shrimp Mojo de Ajo

Great for small get-togethers, this mini-kebab can be served straight from the grill while guests mingle. "Mojo de Ajo" means garlic sauce, and this recipe calls for ¾ cup garlic! Don't let that scare you; the garlic sauce becomes smooth when cooked and mixed with flavorful guajilo chiles.

Recipe: Shrimp Mojo de Ajo

Cajun Shrimp-and-Crab Sauce

Serve this zesty shrimp recipe over hot grits or fresh baguettes for a quick entrée for a casual dinner party or just something to spice up a weeknight menu.

Recipe: Cajun Shrimp-and-Crab Sauce

Quick Shrimp Chowder

Enjoy slow-simmered flavors without the long wait. Quick Shrimp Chowder is ready to enjoy in about 35 minutes.

Recipe: Quick Shrimp Chowder

$Tex-Mex Shrimp Cocktail$

Photo: Beau Gustafson

Tex-Mex Shrimp Cocktail

Fiery jalapeno pepper jelly adds a sweet kick to this variation on classic shrimp cocktail. The jelly, lime juice, mango, red bell pepper, and cilantro marinate with cooked shrimp for fresh flavor. Finish off the cocktail with diced avocado, and serve with tortilla chips.

Recipe: Tex-Mex Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp-and-Sausage Stew

Shrimp-and-Sausage Stew is similar to gumbo, but without the roux. The recipe gets its thick glossiness from a cornstarch-and-water slurry that’s stirred in at the end.

Recipe: Shrimp-and-Sausage Stew

Take a taste of the bayou with shrimper, Timmy Cheramie

Citrus Shrimp Tacos

A citrus marinade and Southwest Cream Sauce bring vibrant flavor to the grilled shrimp in these tacos. Be sure to soak wooden skewers in water at least 30 minutes before grilling to keep them from burning.

Recipe: Citrus Shrimp Tacos

Mexican-Grilled Shrimp with Smoky Sweet Sauce

Skewer your way to a great dinner. Shrimp are perfect candidates for kebabs because they're uniform and will cook in approximately the same amount of time. Make sure to not overcrowd ingredients on a skewer. Try to leave a little space when cooking to allow the food to heat evenly.

Recipe: Mexican-Grilled Shrimp with Smoky Sweet Sauce

Spicy Boiled Shrimp Recipe With Creamy Buttermilk-Avocado Sauce

Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Spicy Boiled Shrimp With Creamy Buttermilk-Avocado Sauce

Boiled shrimp makes a perfect party starter, especially when paired with a delicous dipping sauce like Creamy Buttermilk-Avocado Sauce. Tip: To ensure that shrimp stays chilled, place half out when guests arrive, and replenish the platter as needed.

Recipe: Spicy Boiled Shrimp With Creamy Buttermilk-Avocado Sauce

Shrimp and Grits

You don’t need a lot of fat to get good flavor. Lightened Shrimp and Grits is just as rich and hearty as the traditional version.

Recipe: Shrimp and Grits

Old Bay Shrimp Salad

Old Bay Shrimp Salad may be served on a bed of lettuce with crackers, rolled up in wraps, or stuffed into mini pita pockets.

Recipe: Old Bay Shrimp Salad

Beth Dreiling / Styling Buffy Hargett / Food Styling Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Shrimp Casserole

Chopped celery adds just the right amount of crunch to this satisfying casserole dish featuring shrimp and long-grain rice topped with Cheddar-colby cheese.

Recipe: Shrimp Casserole

Lemon-Basil Shrimp Salad

Fresh basil and lemon zest add a summery twist to our favorite marinated shrimp. Easy-to-make Parmesan cheese baskets double as crisp and stylish serving dishes.

Recipe: Lemon-Basil Shrimp Salad

Honey-Chicken Salad, Shrimp Salad, and Tomato & Cucumber Salad

Entertaining is easy with this elegant trio of simple-to-fix party salads. Make-ahead tart shells dress up individual servings of Honey-Chicken Salad. Use refrigerated piecrusts, or take a super-shortcut and bake off a package of frozen tart shells.

Recipes:
Honey-Chicken Salad
Shrimp Salad
Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Shrimp Julep

Free your imagination when you break out the silver for the season. Check out this nifty idea for a traditional shrimp cocktail. We used a julep cup from Kentucky, but we bet there's something in your china cabinet that would work every bit as beautifully.

To prepare our version, first fill the julep cup with crushed ice. Tuck a 2-oz. ramekin or sauce cup into ice; then fill with your favorite cocktail sauce. Arrange shrimp around the rim of the cup. Makes 1 serving. Prep: 5 min.

Shrimp Burgers

To make our chunky-style Shrimp Burgers With Sweet ’n’ Spicy Tartar Sauce, cut each medium-size shrimp into three pieces.

Freeze Shrimp Burger patties before grilling. That’s our Test Kitchen trick to ensure they hold together on the grill. Top with our special tartar sauce and a good squeeze of lemon.

Recipe: Shrimp Burgers With Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Tartar Sauce

Shrimp-in-a-Pickle

Shrimp is a light and flavorful spring appetizer. Guests will enjoy this zesty recipe without filling up before the main dish.

Recipe: Shrimp-in-a-Pickle

Boiled Shrimp With Rmoulade Sauce and Spicy Cocktail Sauce

This recipe is great for a large crowd - it makes up to 25 servings! To save time, use peeled, large frozen cooked shrimp. Thaw according to package directions, and serve with sauces.

Recipe: Boiled Shrimp With Rémoulade Sauce and Spicy Cocktail Sauce

Southern Shrimp Cocktails

Have the seafood market steam shrimp to save time, or follow our easy instructions below. Serve the shrimp, okra, and breadsticks on a platter around a bowl of the sauce, or make individual cocktails. Use 4-oz. votive candleholders, shot glasses, cordial glasses, or mini-martini glasses.

Recipe: Southern Shrimp Cocktails

New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp

Double the marinade for this recipe because you'll want to use the leftover for dipping your bread.

Recipe: New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp

Van Chaplin / Styling Alan Henderson Mindi Shapiro Levine / Food Styling Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Coconut Shrimp

Oven-fried (it's healthy!) Coconut Shrimp tops our list of fabulous party foods. Paired with Honey-Mustard Sauce, it’s too tempting to resist.

Recipe: Coconut Shrimp

Shrimp-and-Grits Eggs Benedict

We thought the popular Lowcountry dish shrimp and grits couldn't be improved. Yet Robert Stehling of Hominy Grill in Charleston put a delicious twist on this recipe using fried grits squares, asparagus spears, and a creamy shrimp sauce.

Shrimp-and-Grits Eggs Benedict

Avocado Soup With Marinated Shrimp

Smooth and creamy Avocado Soup With Marinated Shrimp is a cinch to prepare because it requires no cooking. Instead of bowls, consider using flutes or other fun glassware to serve this soup.

Recipe: Avocado Soup With Marinated Shrimp

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling Buffy Hargett / Food Styling Norman King

Thai Pesto Shrimp

Chances are even your picky eaters will love this family favorite, Thai Pesto Shrimp over zesty Coconut-Lime Rice. Give it a try, and see what your family thinks.

Recipes:
Thai Pesto Shrimp
Coconut-Lime Rice

Crab-and-Shrimp Étouffée

Serve it on fine china at formal gatherings or down-home style right from the pot on the stove. Étouffée (ay-too-FAY) isn't just a fancy-sounding name--it's Cajun comfort food at its best. The thick, spicy mixture of crawfish, shrimp, or crab (or a combination of these) with onions and peppers is cooked in a light gravy and then served with rice.

Crab-and-Shrimp Étouffée

Tempura Shrimp Tacos

Pick up a pound of shrimp, and prepare this inspiring recipe for an easy meal. Fajita seasoning does double duty in Tempura Shrimp Tacos and Mexi-Coleslaw Mix. Add a few toppings to make a delicious dinner.

Recipes:
Tempura Shrimp Tacos
Mexi-Coleslaw Mix

Shrimp Po’boys

Shrimp Po'boys are made with warm french bread that has a crusty outside and soft inside. The contrast of cold, crunchy lettuce; mounds of perfectly seasoned fried shrimp; and zesty rémoulade sauce makes this Shrimp Po'boys recipe a delicious choice.

Recipe: Shrimp Po’boys

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Bayou Fried Shrimp

Cajun seasoning and fish fry mix make an easy, flavorful breading for fried shrimp. Dip in tartar or cocktail sauce. Mix a package of shredded coleslaw with a simple dressing of such as the one in this recipe for an easy side.

Recipe: Bayou Fried Shrimp

Photo: William Dickey; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Hominy Grill's Shrimp and Grits

This Lowcountry favorite won its way into our readers’ hearts with its rich flavor and easy preparation. Shrimp and mushrooms are sautéed with garlic and bacon drippings then mixed with green onions and crispy bacon, and all are served on top of buttery cheese grits.

Recipe: Hominy Grill's Shrimp and Grits

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Melanie Clark

Shrimp-and-Pasta Salad

This elegant salad can be served as a main dish for a dinner party or simply tossed together for a casual picnic side. The zesty lemon dressing picks up earthy flavors from mint and tarragon but has a hint of spice from crushed red pepper flakes. Juicy raspberries and cool cucumber chunks create a colorful presentation.

Recipe: Shrimp-and-Pasta Salad

Supper Ideas from the Pros
Test Kitchen Professional Rebecca Gordon shows you how to cook Shrimp-and-Pasta Salad for supper tonight.

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Shrimp-Pesto Pizza

Preheat the grill while you roll out the dough and sauté the vegetable mixture for Shrimp-Pesto Pizza. To save even more time, purchase peeled cooked shrimp.

Recipe: Shrimp-Pesto Pizza

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Spicy Glazed Shrimp and Vegetable Kabobs

The sweet and tangy shrimp and seasoned vegetables are like a meal on a stick. The Caribbean jerk seasoning gives these kabobs a special, spicy flair.

Recipe: Spicy Glazed Shrimp and Vegetable Kabobs

Beach Shrimp

This easy baked shrimp dish will transport your taste buds to the beach no matter where you eat it. Your whole family will love the fresh flavor. Simply mix shrimp with bottled Italian dressing and garlic cloves; top with lemon halves, parsley, and butter; and bake.

Recipe: Beach Shrimp

Supper Ideas from the Pros
Test Kitchen Professional Angela Sellers shows you how to cook Beach Shrimp for supper tonight.

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Photo: Jennifer Davick

Carolina Grilled Shrimp

These zesty marinated shrimp taste perfect with a light char off the grill. Serve on small skewers for an easy-to-eat presentation.

Recipe: Carolina Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp Scampi

Lemon and garlic combine with delicate angel hair pasta and mild-flavored shrimp for a refreshing and quick pasta supper. Buy peeled and deveined shrimp at the grocery store to cut prep time.

Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Shrimp-and-Poblano Chili

Shrimp-and-Poblano Chili starts with frozen corn and diced poblano chile peppers to help you save time in the kitchen.

Recipe: Shrimp-and-Poblano Chili

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling: Katherine Eckert

Peanut Shrimp Salad With Basil-Lime Dressing

Salty and spicy shrimp breadded with peanuts, red curry powder, and breadcrumbs makes the perfect topping for a bed of mixed baby greens and mint leaves. Serve as a main-dish salad or in smaller portions as an appetizer.

Recipe: Peanut Shrimp Salad With Basil-Lime Dressing

Photo: Beau Gustafson

Curried Shrimp Tarts

Ready-made pastry shells make preparation of these tarts super-fast. Simply spoon a shrimp-and-cream-cheese mixture and jarred mango chutney into the shells. Top with chopped fresh chives and toasted sweetened coconut.

Recipe: Curried Shrimp Tarts

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Grilled Shrimp Gumbo Salad

Terrific flavors from the garden and grill come together in this summery twist on a New Orleans favorite. Served in smaller portions, it also makes a great first course.

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Gumbo Salad

Photo: Jim Franco

Spicy Pickled Shrimp

Spicy Pickled Shrimp makes an elegant presentation of this Lowcountry favorite. Flavors pop after the shrimp marinate with onions and a tangy vinaigrette overnight. Serve with cocktails or on lettuce leaves as a plated first course.

Recipe: Spicy Pickled Shrimp

Cajun Shrimp Casserole

We offer make-ahead and freezing instructions on this luscious Cajun Shrimp Casserole. Serve with spring mix lettuce drizzled with red wine vinaigrette.