My Secret Dinner Move Is Always One of These 13 Shrimp Recipes

Shrimp is quick, versatile, and makes dinner feel like less of a chore. These recipes cover everything from saucy stir-fries to comforting bowls that cook in minutes. When I need a reliable dinner move, this is where I start.

A pan of stir-fried shrimp with broccoli, dried red chilies, and a dark sauce, topped with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. — General Tso Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Cajun Shrimp and Grits

A bowl of grits topped with cajun shrimp. — Cajun Shrimp and Grits. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Cajun Shrimp and Grits is the move when I need comfort that feels like more than the sum of its parts. Creamy, buttery grits make the base, while shrimp are tossed in a smoky, spicy seasoning that brings the heat. It’s hearty but not fussy, and it comes together faster than you’d think. This is one of those dinners that feels special without making a big production of it.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp and Grits

Instant Pot Shrimp Biryani

Overhead shot of a platter of shrimp biryani. — Instant Pot Shrimp Biryani. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Shrimp Biryani is my shortcut to big flavor without hovering over the stove. The rice cooks with shrimp, warm spices, and aromatics all in one pot, soaking up every bit of flavor. It’s fragrant, filling, and done in about 30 minutes. This dish proves that the Instant Pot really can handle more than soup.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp Biryani

Bang Bang Shrimp

Plate of rice topped with shrimp in sauce, garnished with chopped tomatoes and green onions, with chopsticks on the side. Another similar plate and vegetables in the background. — Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Bang Bang Shrimp is for the nights when I want something crispy and bold. Shrimp are lightly battered, fried, and tossed in a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce that clings to every bite. It’s a dish that disappears fast, whether you serve it as an appetizer or pile it over rice. Once you make it at home, restaurant versions feel unnecessary.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki may be known as a cabbage pancake, but adding shrimp makes it dinner-worthy. The batter cooks up crisp on the outside, soft inside, and holds in savory toppings. A drizzle of mayo and a dash of sauce finish it off, making it hard to stop at one slice. It’s street food that works perfectly for a weeknight table.
Get the Recipe: Okonomiyaki

Instant Pot Shrimp

Cooked shrimp in a green and white striped bowl, garnished with parsley. — Instant Pot Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Shrimp is the ultimate fallback when I want something fast with zero stress. The shrimp steam up perfectly in just a few minutes, ready to toss into pasta, rice, or tacos. You can season them however you like, but they’re also good straight out of the pot. This recipe proves that shrimp doesn’t need much to be dinner-ready.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Shrimp

General Tso Shrimp

General Tso Shrimp gives you the sweet-spicy punch of the takeout favorite, but lighter and quicker. The sauce clings to crispy shrimp without turning them soggy, and a little heat keeps things interesting. Serve it with rice or just on its own—it works either way. It’s the kind of dish that makes you question why you ever waited for delivery.
Get the Recipe: General Tso Shrimp

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Char Kway Teow

A close-up of stir-fried flat noodles with shrimp, sliced sausage, and vegetables, served on a banana leaf. — Char Kway Teow. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Char Kway Teow is my go-to when I want stir-fried noodles that actually feel like a full meal. Flat rice noodles get tossed in high heat with shrimp, soy sauce, and a little chili for kick. The shrimp cook fast and stay tender, while the noodles soak up all the smoky flavor. This is one dish where the wok really earns its place.
Get the Recipe: Char Kway Teow

Firecracker Shrimp

A bowl of white rice topped with saucy shrimp, garnished with lime wedges and herbs, sits on a gray surface next to ginger and a fork. — Firecracker Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Firecracker Shrimp is exactly what I pull out when I want heat front and center. Shrimp are coated in a spicy sauce that balances chili with just enough sweetness. They cook in minutes, which means dinner is practically done before you’ve set the table. The flavor is bold enough that you don’t need much else alongside.
Get the Recipe: Firecracker Shrimp

Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons

Fried wontons on a black plate with dipping sauce. — Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons are the snack-turned-dinner I never regret making. The filling is a mix of juicy shrimp and pork wrapped in thin dough and fried until crisp. They’re bite-sized, which makes them disappear quickly, so I usually double the batch. Dipped in a simple soy or chili sauce, they cover both comfort food and party food in one.
Get the Recipe: Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons

Thai Shrimp Curry

Thai Shrimp Curry is the dish I turn to when I want big flavor without extra work. Shrimp simmer in a coconut milk base with curry paste, lime, and herbs that do all the heavy lifting. It’s rich without being heavy and comes together quickly on the stovetop. The leftovers are just as good the next day, if they last that long.
Get the Recipe: Thai Shrimp Curry

Shrimp Pad Thai

Shrimp Pad Thai makes weeknight dinner feel more interesting without adding complication. Rice noodles are tossed with shrimp, egg, and a tamarind-based sauce that hits sweet, salty, and sour all at once. Peanuts add crunch and lime keeps it fresh. It’s one of those dishes you keep in your back pocket because it never disappoints.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Pad Thai

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

Shrimp stuffed into soft corn tortillas with lime wedges on the side. — Camarones al Mojo de Ajo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo is my fix when I want garlic to take the lead. Shrimp are sautéed in butter and garlic until just cooked, with lime to balance the richness. It’s fast, bold, and easy to serve with rice or tortillas. The flavor is so sharp and direct that it feels like more work than it really is.
Get the Recipe: Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

Szechuan Shrimp

Szechuan Shrimp is the dish I go for when I want spice to wake up the evening. The sauce blends soy, garlic, ginger, and chilis into something that clings to every shrimp. It’s fiery but still balanced enough to keep you going back for more. Best over rice, but good enough that I’ve eaten it straight from the pan.
Get the Recipe: Szechuan Shrimp