28 Quick & Healthy Shrimp Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Garlic butter shrimp, scampi, sheet pan shrimp, tacos, bowls and salads: 28 quick healthy shrimp recipes, many ready in about 20 minutes.

ByEmma Brooks Hours Hours
Comments 0 Comments
Quick healthy shrimp recipes: garlic butter shrimp, shrimp tacos with slaw and shrimp avocado quinoa bowls

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

When I need dinner on the table in 20 minutes, I reach for shrimp. It cooks in just a few minutes, it is lean and high in protein, and it pairs with everything from garlic butter to tacos and salads. Here are my favorite quick and healthy shrimp recipes for busy weeknights.

Ready in 20 Minutes or Less

1
A close-up of golden, tender garlic butter shrimp garnished with fresh parsley in a skillet, ready to serve.
Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garlic butter shrimp in 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
2
Sautéed cilantro lime shrimp in a skillet with fresh herbs
Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Cilantro lime shrimp in 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
3
A black skillet filled with golden seared shrimp, minced garlic, and fresh green parsley
Garlic Shrimp Skillet
A garlic shrimp skillet in 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
4
A skillet of pan-seared shrimp and spiralized zucchini with garlic and parsley.
15 Minute Garlic Shrimp Zucchini Pasta
Garlic shrimp with zucchini pasta in 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
5
A close-up of golden-brown honey garlic shrimp garnished with fresh parsley, served in a skillet.
Honey Garlic Shrimp
Honey garlic shrimp in under 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
6
A close-up of a bowl of golden Shrimp Scampi with linguine, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
Shrimp Scampi
Classic shrimp scampi in about 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
7
A close-up of a sizzling skillet filled with perfectly cooked, golden-red Cajun shrimp, garnished with fresh parsley.
Cajun Shrimp
Cajun shrimp in 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
8
Bowl of homemade shrimp fried rice with vegetables and chopsticks on a wooden table
Shrimp Fried Rice
Shrimp fried rice in 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe

Sheet Pan & Foil Packet Shrimp

9
A roasted shrimp sheet pan with asparagus, red peppers, and lemon slices garnished with fresh parsley.
10-Minute Shrimp Sheet Pan
A shrimp sheet pan dinner in about 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
10
Golden roasted shrimp coated in garlic and parmesan cheese on a baking sheet with lemon wedges.
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Shrimp
Garlic Parmesan roasted shrimp.
Check out this recipe
11
Four aluminum foil packets opened to reveal steamed shrimp, broccoli, and red peppers with lemon slices.
Shrimp & Broccoli Foil Packs
Shrimp and broccoli foil packs.
Check out this recipe
12
Individual foil packets opened to reveal steamed shrimp, sausage, and corn on the cob with garlic butter and parsley.
Baked Shrimp in Foil Packets
Baked shrimp in foil packets.
Check out this recipe

Skillet & Creamy Shrimp

13
Succulent shrimp and green broccoli florets in a glistening garlic butter sauce in a cast iron skillet
Skillet Garlic Butter Shrimp and Broccoli
Skillet garlic butter shrimp and broccoli.
Check out this recipe
14
A skillet filled with succulent seared shrimp and wilted green spinach in a golden garlic butter sauce.
Garlic Butter Spinach Shrimp
Garlic butter spinach shrimp in 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
15
A close-up of a skillet filled with vibrant orange Creamy Chipotle Shrimp, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
Creamy Chipotle Shrimp
Creamy chipotle shrimp.
Check out this recipe
16
A skillet filled with creamy tomato sauce, shrimp, and spaghetti squash strands topped with Parmesan cheese.
Creamy Tomato Shrimp with Spaghetti Squash
Creamy tomato shrimp with spaghetti squash.
Check out this recipe

Shrimp Tacos, Fajitas & Bowls

17
Platter of shrimp tacos topped with purple cabbage bacon slaw and avocado slices
Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Bacon Slaw
Shrimp tacos with cilantro lime bacon slaw.
Check out this recipe
18
A close-up of sizzling shrimp fajitas with colorful bell peppers and onions in a cast-iron skillet, ready to serve.
Shrimp Fajitas
Shrimp fajitas in about 25 minutes.
Check out this recipe
19
A colorful healthy shrimp taco bowl with avocado, corn, beans, and cilantro sauce
Healthy Shrimp Taco Bowls with Creamy Cilantro Sauce
Healthy shrimp taco bowls with a creamy cilantro sauce.
Check out this recipe
20
A vibrant quinoa bowl topped with seared shrimp, sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, and fresh lime.
Shrimp Avocado Quinoa Bowls
Shrimp avocado quinoa bowls.
Check out this recipe
21
Fresh shrimp lettuce wraps in butter lettuce cups topped with peanuts and cilantro
Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Shrimp lettuce wraps.
Check out this recipe

Grilled, One-Pot & Meal Prep

22
Close-up of perfectly cooked garlic grilled shrimp skewers with fresh parsley on a serving platter.
Garlic Grilled Shrimp
Garlic grilled shrimp.
Check out this recipe
23
A vibrant, steaming pot of authentic Cajun Jambalaya with chicken, sausage, and shrimp, garnished with fresh parsley.
Jambalaya
A one-pot jambalaya.
Check out this recipe
24
A sheet pan filled with roasted Cajun shrimp, bell peppers, zucchini, and red onions with lemon wedges.
Meal Prep Cajun Shrimp and Veggies
Meal prep Cajun shrimp and veggies.
Check out this recipe
25
Four glass meal prep containers filled with garlic ginger shrimp, fluffy quinoa, and fresh tomato salsa on a light wooden background.
Garlic Ginger Shrimp Meal Prep with Quinoa and Tomato Salsa
Garlic ginger shrimp meal prep with quinoa.
Check out this recipe

Shrimp Salads

26
A bright glass bowl filled with chilled shrimp, diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber in a lime dressing.
Shrimp Avocado Salad
Shrimp avocado salad in 20 minutes.
Check out this recipe
27
A colorful bowl of Mango Avocado Shrimp Salad with fresh cilantro and lime wedges on a light background.
Mango Avocado Shrimp Salad
Mango avocado shrimp salad.
Check out this recipe
28
Close-up of a vibrant, creamy shrimp salad in a bowl, garnished with fresh dill and lemon wedges, ready to be served.
Easy & Refreshing Shrimp Salad
A classic shrimp salad.
Check out this recipe

Tips for Perfect Shrimp

  • Thaw quickly: place frozen shrimp in a colander under cold running water for about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Watch the color: shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose C shape; a tight O shape means overcooked.
  • Pat dry: dry shrimp sear better and take on more flavor.

Shrimp FAQ

Is shrimp healthy?

Yes. Shrimp is low in calories and fat and high in protein, which makes it a great choice for quick, balanced meals.

Find more in my healthy seafood recipes, or try my healthy salmon recipes.

More Healthy Recipe Collections

Emma Brooks is the home cook behind The Gentle Bite. After years of juggling long workdays and family dinners, she started sharing the balanced, wholesome recipes she loves to make on busy weeknights, most ready in about 30 minutes with everyday ingredients. Her goal is simple: quick, nourishing meals that feel approachable, with easy swaps for gluten-free, dairy-free and high-protein diets.

You Might Also Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *