Hey there, fellow food lovers! Today I’m super excited to share my favorite ways to season shrimp After years of experimenting in my kitchen and collecting tips from master chefs, I’ve put together this ultimate guide to seasoning these tasty little crustaceans
Quick Answer
The most popular seasonings for shrimp include
- Garlic and butter
- Lemon and herbs
- Cajun spices
- Old Bay seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Basic Seasoning Combinations
1. Classic Garlic Butter
This is my go-to seasoning combo when I’m in a hurry
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 5-6 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
2. Simple Spicy Mix
When I want some heat, I use:
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 minced garlic clove
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
International Flavor Profiles
Asian-Inspired
- Soy sauce
- Ginger
- Sesame oil
- Rice vinegar
- Garlic
Mediterranean Style
- Olive oil
- Fresh oregano
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Black pepper
Mexican Flair
- Lime juice
- Cilantro
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
Herb and Citrus Combinations
Y’all won’t believe how amazing these fresh herb combos taste:
-
Lemon-Herb Mix
- Fresh basil
- Lemon zest
- Minced garlic
- Olive oil
- Black pepper
-
Lime-Cilantro Blend
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime juice
- Garlic
- Touch of honey
- Red pepper flakes
Compound Butters for Shrimp
Here’s a little secret – compound butters are game-changers! Try these:
-
Citrus Butter
- Softened butter
- Citrus zest (lemon/lime/orange)
- Minced herbs
- Garlic
-
Spicy Butter
- Softened butter
- Cayenne pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
Quick Marinades
When I’ve got more time, these marinades are amazing:
Basic Marinade (30 mins)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Fresh herbs
- Salt and pepper
Yogurt-Based Marinade (1-2 hours)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- Fresh mint leaves
- Salt and pepper
Pro Tips for Seasoning Shrimp
-
Pat dry first: Always pat your shrimp dry before seasoning – this helps the seasonings stick better!
-
Don’t overdo it: Shrimp has a delicate flavor, so you don’t wanna go crazy with the seasonings.
-
Timing matters: Add delicate herbs at the end of cooking to preserve their flavor.
-
Oil helps: Toss shrimp in a bit of oil before adding dry seasonings to help them stick.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t marinate too long (max 2 hours)
- Avoid overcooking (they get rubbery!)
- Don’t use old spices
- Never season after cooking
Perfect Cooking Methods
Sautéing
- Heat pan on medium-high
- Add seasoned shrimp
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side
Grilling
- Preheat grill to medium-high
- Season shrimp
- Grill 2-3 minutes per side
Storage Tips
Keep your seasoned shrimp fresh:
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days
- Store in airtight container
- Keep separate from other foods
FAQ
Q: Can I season frozen shrimp?
A: Yep! Just thaw them first and pat dry.
Q: How much seasoning per pound?
A: About 1-2 tablespoons of seasoning mix per pound of shrimp.
Q: Can I reuse marinades?
A: Nope! Never reuse marinades that have touched raw seafood.
Wrapping Up
There ya have it – my complete guide to seasoning shrimp! Remember, the key is starting with good quality shrimp and not going overboard with the seasonings. Start with these basics and then get creative with your own combinations.
Why you’ll love it
Like my chicken wing rub and salmon dry rub recipe, this shrimp seasoning blend is made with a handful of pantry staple seasonings. You likely have most or all of them in your kitchen already!
The blend features a well-balanced mix of savory flavors. It’s similar to blackening seasoning but skips the herbs and cayenne to give the shrimp a mild crowd-pleasing flavor. This also helps it pair well with countless dishes, like shrimp tacos, fajitas, salads, pasta, grain bowls, and so much more!
The best spices to enhance the flavor of shrimp are likely in your pantry already. Here’s what you need:
- Paprika – The type of paprika you use will affect the flavor of the shrimp. Use smoked paprika for shrimp that tastes like it was cooked in a smoker or, for a mild and slightly sweet flavor, use regular or sweet paprika.
- Garlic powder and onion powder – These give the seasoning blend a balanced savory flavor.
- Salt and black pepper – To round out all of the flavors.
Before cooking, it helps to toss the shrimp in olive oil so the seasoning blend sticks to the outside. I also like to garnish cooked shrimp with fresh parsley but you can leave this out if you want.
What kind of shrimp should I use?
Any kind! Any size or variety of shrimp can be seasoned; it all depends on the dish you plan on making.
Shrimp usually comes in colossal, jumbo, extra large, large, medium, small, and miniature sizes. I typically buy large or jumbo shrimp when I’m serving the shrimp in tacos, salads, or as an appetizer with any of these 20+ dipping sauces for shrimp.
Pro tip: Always remove the vein from larger varieties of shrimp (AKA the shrimp’s digestive tract) before seasoning and cooking as its gritty texture can ruin your dish.
