So that bag of frozen shrimp has been in the freezer for a while, and you’re still wondering what to do with it? These simple shrimp recipes are just what you need.
From a nutrition perspective, shrimp is a major win. It’s low in calories and is a great source of lean protein. It also contains important vitamins and minerals that are not always easy to get in your diet, like vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, selenium, and iodine.
RELATED: 3 Overlooked Nutrients to Add to Your Diet Now
Shrimp is also a crowd-pleasing food, especially during the summer, when its light, fresh taste is super satisfying.
One tip before you get cooking: Shrimp is notorious for being farmed using practices that are very bad for your health and the environment and for being caught on boats that abuse workers. So, be picky when you buy it. Fresh or frozen is fine. Both wild and farmed can be good choices, too, depending on the practices, so your best best is to reference Monterey Bay Aquarium’s guide to buying shrimp or look for the Marine Stewardship Council seal. Another quick way to get better shrimp: opt for domestic, not imported.
5 Simple Shrimp Recipes for Delicious, Healthy Meals
Grilled Shrimp Kebabs
Does anyone know why grilled food is more fun on a kebab? We certainly don’t have an explanation, but it just is. With this recipe, you get the kebab factor, fresh grilled shrimp, and the amazing flavors of grilled peppers and onions, which really shine when a little charred.
Shrimp Soba Noodles
Delicious, nutty soba noodles are made from buckwheat, and they’re a dietary staple in Japan. (They’re also gluten-free!) In your kitchen, wherever you are, they’re a perfect base for a flavorful, healthy dish like this one, which includes flavors like sesame, cayenne, and ginger.
Simply Roasted Shrimp
The perfect simple approach to cooking shrimp (especially for weekly meal prep). It’s fast and easy, and you can serve the shrimp with almost anything—like alongside roasted asparagus or sauteed greens, on top of a green or grain salad, or in a pasta dish.
Shrimp Salad
This simple shrimp salad looks exactly like something that would be on the menu at a fancy detox spa, right? But you can make it at home in a couple of minutes, with just a few ingredients. The most interesting among them is hearts of palm, crunchy vegetables harvested from the center of the cabbage palm tree.
Mediterranean Shrimp Pita
Fresh shrimp and veggies in a pita screams “picnic food.” Especially when the shrimp are marinated in delicious lemon, garlic, and olive oil and paired with arugula and hummus.