This Boiled Shrimp recipe could not be easier, with just three ingredients, including lemon and garlic, and less than 10 minutes to make. These juicy, sweet shrimp come out perfect every time. Serve them with Homemade Cocktail Sauce or on top of a salad or pasta dish for a delicious family dinner.
Love shrimp? Also, try any of my 25+ Healthy Shrimp Recipes, including Air Fryer Shrimp and Blackened Shrimp.
Boiled Shrimp recipe
This Boiled Shrimp recipe is one of the easiest and fastest ways to cook shrimp. It's so simple, and they come out perfect every time. I use fresh lemon and garlic salt to bring some life to these pretty little crustations. Once the water is boiling, it takes less than 5 minutes to cook them. You can make them without the shell, as shown, or with the shell and serve them peel-and-eat style. If you love seafood as my family does, this will be one of your go-to recipes. My whole family devours this when I serve it for dinner.
These Boiled Shrimp are perfect as a party appetizer, a fast family dinner with sides like Roasted Red Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli, or even as a protein topper for salads, tacos, or pasta. My favorite way to serve them is as shown, with my extra-horseradishy Homemade Cocktail Sauce, melted butter, garlic butter sauce, or homemade Cajun Remoulade Sauce. I even like to make extra of this to enjoy it for lunch the next day.
You can leave the Boiled Shrimp plain or customize them with spices like my Homemade Old Bay Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning. They are so versatile, and this is the kind of recipe you will want to have in your back pocket.
Boiled Shrimp - Ready in 5 minutes! Share on X
Why You'll Love this Boiled Shrimp recipe...
- This Boiled Shrimp Recipe is quick and easy! Ready in just 10 minutes, including boiling time.
- The shrimp come out tender and juicy every time. Cooking shrimp quickly at high heat works well.
- It's easy and a crowdpleaser!
- It's versatile! You can serve these in so many ways.
- You can make these with fresh or frozen shrimp.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Boiled Shrimp recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Shrimp: You'll need at least a pound of large shrimp, which are 26-30 a pound. You can also use extra-large or jumbo shrimp, but they will need up to a minute more to cook. For easy prep, buy ones that are already peeled and deveined. I left the tails on for the photos, but you can remove them to make them easier to eat, especially if you are serving them to kids. Don't be afraid of frozen shrimp, as most shrimp are frozen right after they are caught or harvested anyway. If your shrimp are frozen, thaw them out in the fridge overnight or put them in a ziplock bag in a colander of water. You can also leave the shell on and serve these as peel-and-eat shrimp. They cook the same way with or without the shell. You can use whatever type of shrimp you have, including pink, brown, white, rock, or royal reds. They all cook the same way.
- Lemon: I love adding a whole fresh lemon to the pot to infuse the shrimp with flavor.
- Garlic Salt: Garlic salt is my secret ingredient to add a subtle garlic flavor. You can also add fresh garlic cloves.
- Pepper: Pepper also brings these shrimp to life.
- Garnish: parsley, lemon wedges, or lemon juice
Other Spices to Use:
I kept this basic recipe plain, but you can add any of these to bring even more life to the shrimp.
- Old Bay Seasoning: You can add the classic Old Bay Seasoning from the bottle or use my homemade Old Bay Shrimp Boil Seasoning. It's a mixture of herbs and spices, including celery salt, paprika, black pepper, and red pepper. It pairs perfectly with the shrimp.
- Bay Leaf
- Onion
- Cajun Seasoning
- Blackened Seasoning
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Boiled Shrimp recipe, but the full, detailed, printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
Step One: Boil the Shrimp
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil.
- While the water comes to a boil, prepare an ice bath for the shrimp.
- Once the water is boiling, add the halved lemon, garlic salt, and pepper.
- Add the shrimp and cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until pink and slightly curled. Do not overcook the shrimp and pull them out quickly. They will look like this. Cooking time varies with the size of the shrimp, but they will be done in just minutes, so make sure to watch them, as overcooked shrimp are rubbery.
Step Two: Stop the Cooking
- Since shrimp can overcook easily, the best way to get tender shrimp is to quickly transfer them to an ice bath or cold water to stop the cooking. Drain the water. You can also run them under cold running water.
- Serve on a platter and enjoy!
Variations
I love this Boiled Shrimp recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Make it Spicy: Add more cayenne seasoning.
- Make a Big Batch: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd by clicking on the 2X or 3X on the recipe card.
- Make it in the Oven: If you want to make shrimp in the oven, try this recipe for sheet pan Blackened Shrimp.
- Make it in the Air Fryer: If you want to make shrimp in the air fryer, try my Air Fryer Shrimp.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in 30-second increments in the microwave, just until warm. Don't overcook it.
Freezing
Freeze the cooked shrimp in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.
What is the best way to boil shrimp?
Shrimp are easily boiled in just minutes. The best way to boil them is to add lemon and garlic salt to a pot. Allow them to boil for about 3 minutes and then put them in an ice bath to stop the cooking.
Boiled Shrimp recipe
This Boiled Shrimp recipe is one you will come and make again and again! They come up tender, pretty, and so tasty every time you make them. These tender shrimp are the perfect base for salads, lettuce wraps, taco bowls, tacos, pasta, or bowls, or as a main course with so many different sides. They even make a fabulous appetizer. Serve them with homemade cocktail sauce or Greek Yogurt Remoulade Sauce. Here are a few more ideas to get you started.
Serve it With:
- Air Fryer Broccolini
- Air Fryer Potatoes
- Cheesy Ranch Potatoes
- Garlic Roasted Green Beans
- Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
- Roasted Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts
- Grilled Zucchini in Foil
- Grilled Asparagus in Foil
- Mediterranean Roast Vegetables
- Roasted Broccoli with Mushrooms
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Greek Yogurt Healthy Cole Slaw
- Asparagus and Tomato Salad with Feta
- Healthy Greek Yogurt Potato Salad
More Shrimp Recipes to Try:
If you make this Boiled Shrimp recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Boiled Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw shrimp, with or without shells
- 1 lemon halved
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, bring water to a boil.
- While the water is coming to a boil, prepare an ice bath for the shrimp with ice and water.
- Once the water is boiling, add the halved lemon, garlic salt and pepper to the water.
- Add the shrimp and cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and curl just slightly. Do not overcook the shrimp and pull them out quickly. They will look like this. Cooking time varies by the size of the shrimp.
- Quickly transfer the shrimp to the ice bath to stop the cooking.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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