Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’m super excited to share my favorite spicy shrimp recipe that’s been a total game-changer in my kitchen. Whether you’re craving something quick for dinner or need an impressive appetizer, this recipe’s got you covered. Let’s dive right in!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 15 minutes (perfect for busy weeknights!)
- Uses simple ingredients you probably already have
- Customizable heat levels to suit your taste
- Versatile – works as main dish, appetizer, or in tacos
- Absolutely foolproof (trust me, I’ve tested it countless times!)
Essential Ingredients
For the Base Recipe:
- 2 pounds medium shrimp (16-20 per pound), peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4-5 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Shrimp
First things first, if you’re using frozen shrimp (like I often do), make sure they’re completely thawed. Pat them dry with paper towels – this helps them get that nice sear we’re looking for!
2. Make the Marinade
In a large bowl mix
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Crushed garlic
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped cilantro
3. Quick Marination
- Toss shrimp in the marinade
- Let sit for just 3-5 minutes (don’t overdo it!)
4. Cook Those Bad Boys
- Heat remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
- Once hot, add shrimp in a single layer (don’t crowd!)
- Cook 2-3 minutes per side until they form a nice “C” shape
- They should be pink with slightly crispy edges
Pro Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t Overcook: Shrimp cook super fast! When they curl into a tight “O” shape, they’re overcooked
- Size Matters: Stick to medium shrimp (16-20 count) for best results
- Heat Control: Start with less cayenne – you can always add more!
- Fresh is Best: Fresh garlic and cilantro make a huge difference
Variations to Try
1. Asian-Style Spicy Shrimp
Add
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
2. Cajun-Style
Mix in:
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- Extra garlic
- A dash of Old Bay seasoning
3. Caribbean Kick
Include:
- 1-2 Scotch bonnet peppers (careful, they’re hot!)
- Thyme
- Allspice
Serving Suggestions
-
As a Main Dish:
- Over steamed rice
- With crusty bread
- Tossed with pasta
-
As an Appetizer:
- On small plates with lime wedges
- Served with cocktail sauce
- In lettuce wraps
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days
- Reheat: Gently warm in a skillet with a tiny bit of oil
- Cold: Actually tastes great cold in salads!
Common Questions I Get
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
A: Absolutely! Just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
Q: Help! My shrimp are rubbery!
A: You probably overcooked them. Remember, they cook super quick!
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: I wouldn’t recommend marinating for more than 5 minutes – the acid can make the shrimp tough.
Health Benefits
- High in protein
- Low in calories
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- Good source of vitamins and minerals
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Buy shrimp on sale and freeze
- Use dried herbs if fresh are expensive
- Make your own spice blends
- Consider using smaller shrimp (they’re usually cheaper)
There ya have it, folks! My go-to spicy shrimp recipe that never disappoints. I’d love to hear how yours turns out – drop a comment below if you try it! And remember, cooking should be fun, so don’t stress too much about getting everything perfect. Even when I mess up (which happens more than I’d like to admit), it usually still tastes pretty darn good!
Happy cooking! ️
Note: This recipe’s been tested countless times in my kitchen, and I’ve tweaked it over the years to get it just right. But feel free to adjust seasonings to your taste – that’s what cooking’s all about!
Spicy Shrimp Recipe (10-Minutes)Yield:
An exquisite dish, this Spicy Shrimp Recipe is also known as Shrimp Arrabbiata or Shrimp Fra Diavolo and it is easily cooked in a skillet and ready in minutes. Easy and helps get dinner to the table in a snap!
- 16-ounces (about 20) of large shrimp – cleaned & deveined
- salt, to season the shrimp
- 4 Tbps. extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 large garlic cloves – diced
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- sea salt – to season the shrimp
- 1 can (14-ounces) of cherry tomatoes – rinsed & drained
- 4 to 5 kalamata olives – pits removed and sliced
- 1/4 cup of dry white wine
- 3 Tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
- 1/2 pound of thin spaghetti
1. In a large skillet, heat on moderate heat, olive oil and toss in the diced garlic, and saute for 1 to 2 minutes to fragrant the olive oil.
2. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer on low heat for an additional minute.
3. Add in the shrimp and sprinkle with salt to season the shrimp. Cook for 1 minute and use kitchen tongs to flip each one over and cook the other side for one minute.
4. Toss in cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley. Pour in white wine and cover with a lid. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Taste the sauce, and season with additional salt to taste. Turn off heat. Sprinkle over the skillet with remaining chopped parsley. Keep covered.
5. Meanwhile, bring a pot filled with water to a full boil. Toss in the thin spaghetti and cook it until it is al-dente ( tender to the bite). Grab a ladle and scoop some pasta water, about 1/4 cup, and add it to the shrimp sauce.
6. Drain spaghetti in a colander. Serve spaghetti in pasta bowls and spoon some spicy shrimp and sauce over each bowl of spaghetti. Serve immediately.
yields: 3 to 4 servings
How To Make Our Spicy Shrimp Recipe?
A few easy steps to follow to make this shrimp dish in a matter of minutes. (*Full printable recipe card below!)
1. Turn on moderate heat, under the skillet. Pour the olive oil into a skillet and toss in the garlic.
2. Toss in crushed red pepper flakes. Saute for about 2 minutes, to fragrant the olive oil.
3. Add in the clean shrimp. Season the shrimp with some salt.
4. Cook shrimp for about 1 minute, then turn each one over and continue to cook.
5. Next, open one (14-ounces) can of cherry tomatoes. And place them into a small colander and rinse them.
6. Then toss them into the skillet with the shrimp.
7. Finally, toss in the fresh parsley, kalamata olives, and white wine. Cover with a lid, and simmer on low heat for about 3 to 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings.
8. Meanwhile, cook the thin spaghetti until it is tender to the bite. Do not overcook it, or it will be mushy. reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water. Stir it into the skillet with shrimp sauce. Drain the spaghetti and toss it with the spicy shrimp and serve.
Take our word for it – this recipe for our Spicy Shrimp dish is DIVINE!
