34 Healthy Shrimp Recipes You Absolutely Need to Try

Shrimp are America’s most popular seafood and for good reason. The shellfish are tender, juicy and mild tasting. They’re easy to cook in minutes and you can enjoy them chilled or warm in many healthy shrimp recipes.

Shrimp also are a smart choice when you’re trying to shed excess weight. A three-ounce serving of shrimp has only 84 calories and less than a gram of total fat, but it fuels you up with 20 grams of protein. It’s considered a PowerFuel on the Nutrisystem weight loss plan.

Whether you desperately seek a satisfying dinner or just love seafood, healthy shrimp recipes are where it’s at. Besides being the most cost-effective way to get your fishy fix, there are so many reasons to love shrimp.

Shrimp are exceptionally versatile, fitting into all kinds of cuisines including Mexican, Asian and Italian. To help you find fresh ways to include shrimp in your diet, we’ve compiled this list of our favorite healthy shrimp recipes.

1. Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Lime Yogurt Sauce >

Give taco night a fresh twist with this Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Lime Yogurt Sauce recipe! Start by soaking succulent shrimp in a marinade spiced to your taste. Put them in soft corn tortillas, then add a crunchy blend of shredded carrots and cabbage. Top it all with the creamy sauce made with avocado, garlic, jalapeno peppers and Greek yogurt.

2. Cajun Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil >

This flavorful Cajun Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil recipe makes a fun meal for a party but it’s so quick and easy to prepare you can serve it on any weekday night. All you do is put shrimp, little potatoes, corn, and bell peppers on a sheet pan, drizzle it with seasoned butter, and bake for about 15 minutes.

3. Shrimp and Spinach Lasagna Rolls >

With this Shrimp and Spinach Lasagna Rolls recipe, you can enjoy the many layers of lasagna and stay on track to your weight-loss goal. You get lots of real ricotta and mozzarella cheese along with the shrimp, and the rolls come out pre-portioned, so you know just how much to eat.

4. Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp >

With an air fryer, you can enjoy all the pleasures of eating big butterfly shrimp that are crispy on the outside and juicy inside without loading up on excess calories and fats. The process for making this Air Fryer Butterfly Shrimp recipe is quick and easy, and it won’t make a splattered mess of your kitchen.

5. Cauliflower Fried Rice with Shrimp >

We made a classic takeout dish tastier and healthier by using cauliflower rice (found in the refrigerator or freezer cases at most supermarkets). Then we dial up the flavor with plenty of onions, garlic and ginger. Just add shrimp, your pick of veggies like carrots and snow peas, and as much hot pepper flakes as you like to finish up this Cauliflower Fried Rice with Shrimp recipe.

6. 3-Step Spicy Cantaloupe Melon Gazpacho with Shrimp >

Gazpacho is a thick and filling chilled soup that you prepare in a food processor or blender—no cooking needed. We make our Spicy Shrimp Cantaloupe Melon Gazpacho recipe with sweet and savory ingredients, including cantaloupe, tomatoes and scallions. It’s topped with fresh shrimp for more flavor and protein.

7. Spicy Grilled Shrimp Salad >

Grilling adds a rich, smoky taste to ingredients like pineapple, jalapeno and shrimp. Toss them with mixed greens, avocado and other veggies and you’ve got a Spicy Grilled Shrimp Salad recipe that’s bursting with bold flavors and satisfying textures.

8. 5-Minute Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Apricot Sauce >

Succulent shrimp with a crispy coconut coating can be a part of your healthy diet when you use our simple recipe and an air fryer. This Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Apricot Sauce recipe will be a hit at a party, but you can whip them up whenever you’re looking for a fresh lunch idea.

9. One-Pot Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Stew >

No one will leave the table hungry after eating this hearty dinner that’s brimming with chunks of sausage and lots of shrimp in an extra savory broth. You’ll love that this One-Pot Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Stew recipe is simple to make. Plus, there’s only one pot to clean when you’re done.

10. Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Gnocchi >

Succulent shrimp and tender little gnocchi bathed in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce sounds like the kind of meal that you need to avoid when you’re losing weight. This Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Gnocchi recipe has all the flavor and satisfaction you expect, but it’s approved by the expert dietitians at Nutrisystem so you can enjoy it without worry.

11. Air Fryer Shrimp Cakes >

This crispy Air Fryer Shrimp Cakes recipe is super easy to make with crunchy breadcrumbs, your choice of spices, and an air fryer. You can enjoy the cakes on salads, in wraps, or as entrees.

12. Grilled Shrimp and Scallop Skewers >

Dinner just tastes better when it’s cooked over an open flame. Skewers are the simple way to grill healthy ingredients. For this easy Grilled Shrimp and Scallop Skewers recipe, we pair juicy shrimp and scallops with veggies such as bell peppers, zucchini, and onions and flavor them up with garlic and lemon butter sauce.

13. One-Pan Shrimp Pesto Pasta >

The fresh flavor of pesto turns basic ingredients into a dish that’s lip-smacking delicious in this One-Pan Shrimp Pesto Pasta recipe. We love tossing shrimp, spiralized zucchini noodles and sliced veggies with pesto for a dinner that you can enjoy hot or cold.

14. Shrimp Stuffed Fish >

You can use tilapia, flounder or sole to make this elegant dinner. The Shrimp Stuffed Fish recipe looks (and tastes) like a meal you’d order at a fine restaurant, but it’s actually easy to make, even if you don’t have a lot of experience in the kitchen.

15. Shrimp Salad Cocktail Bread >

The foundation of this Shrimp Salad Cocktail Bread recipe is a creamy, savory shrimp salad you can enjoy in lots of different ways. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser when you serve it as an appetizer on rye cocktail bread.

16. 15-Minute Tomato Basil Shrimp >

Tangy tomatoes and succulent shrimp seem to be natural companions. We combine them in this flavorful 15-Minute Tomato Basil Shrimp recipe. All you do is quickly cook the shrimp with onions and garlic, then add your favorite tomato sauce and seasonings.

17. Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Asparagus >

This well-balanced meal is both light and filling, and it looks elegant but is so simple to make. The Shrimp Pasta with Garlic Asparagus recipe features bow-tie pasta, fresh asparagus spears and lots of shrimp. It’s flavored with simple ingredients like garlic, lemon, basil and Parmesan cheese.

18. Shrimp Fajita Bowl >

Your craving for Southwest flavor has met its match with this bowl full of seasoned shrimp, peppers, onions and corn on a bed of brown rice. Top this Shrimp Fajita Bowl recipe with guacamole and you get all the satisfaction of a burrito with far fewer calories.

19. Simple Shrimp and Veggies Foil Packet >

With this Simple Shrimp and Veggies Foil Packet recipe, you can cook a complete and delicious meal wrapped inside a sheet of foil. Fill it up with fresh shrimp, red potatoes and your choice of veggies, such as zucchini and bell peppers. Add spices to taste, then pop the packet into the oven. Dinner done!

20. Shrimp Fra Diavolo >

We’ve revised the classic Shrimp Fra Diavolo recipe so you can enjoy its bold flavors while you’re losing weight. You still get sautéed shrimp in a thick and rich tomato sauce served over a heap of pasta, so your tastebuds have to accept no compromise.

21. Sesame Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry >

This Sesame Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry recipe might be the quickest, most satisfying meal you can serve your family. The shrimp is flavored with garlic, ginger and soy sauce, then they’re served with slurp-ready udon noodles.

22. Spicy Shrimp Quesadilla >

The mild flavor of shrimp is a perfect partner to zesty Southwest flavors in this Spicy Shrimp Quesadilla recipe. We season the seafood with cayenne pepper and chili powder, then pair it with jalapenos, bell peppers and onions. Finally, we add plenty of melted cheese to balance the fiery spices.

23. Tempura Shrimp and Vegetables >

Here’s how you can enjoy Asian-style shrimp and vegetables with a crispy coating while you’re losing weight. Our Tempura Shrimp and Vegetables recipe is quick and easy to make, and we even include a simple dipping sauce with sriracha for a hint of flavorful heat.

24. Tropical Shrimp Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing >

Give your salad a taste of the tropics with pineapple, mango, coconut and macadamia nuts, along with grilled shrimp. A light dressing made with lemon juice and thyme adds an extra sunny flavor to this Tropical Shrimp Salad recipe.

25. Spinach Stuffed Mussels and Shrimp >

Like shrimp, mussels are high in protein and low in fat, and they have a tender texture and a light briny taste. With this Spinach Stuffed Mussels and Shrimp recipe, the two kinds of shellfish are bathed in a rich tomato sauce with garlicky sauteed spinach. It is all served over whole wheat spaghetti for a balanced dinner.

26. Tropical Shrimp Taco Bowl >

This tasty Tropical Shrimp Taco Bowl recipe checks a lot of boxes. Shrimp with Cajun seasonings. Juicy mango, sweet coconut and spicy jalapeno peppers. Cherry tomatoes and green onions. All served over tender cauliflower rice. It’s a meal that’s perfectly balanced in flavor, texture and nutrition.

27. Sweet Potato and Shrimp Noodle Bowl >

Delicious, satiating and smooth beyond belief, this Sweet Potato and Shrimp Noodle Bowl recipe with creamy almond butter sauce is so delightful you won’t mind eating healthy. Shrimp keeps this dish light, while the almond butter ensures you are still getting that wonderfully satisfying fat. Sweet potatoes add more nutrition to this meal and fill you up with complex carbs.

28. 10-Minute Shrimp Fajitas >

Have only minutes to spare? We know the feeling. Try this amazing, chili-spiced 10-Minute Shrimp Fajitas recipe. There’s absolutely no way that Mexican takeout could be ready as quickly or be as nutritious as this favorite dinner dish. Bell peppers, onion powder, garlic powder and cumin bring a whole wheat tortilla to life like nothing else. It’s the best of both worlds: Seafood and Mexican cuisine. Make this healthy shrimp recipe after a really late night of work for a quick grub, or the next day’s lunch.

29. Shrimp Taco Bites >

This Shrimp Taco Bites recipe will surprise any dinner guest! It’s a fun spin on the seafood option that everyone expects to be paired plain with cocktail sauce. Little baskets made from baked whole wheat tortillas are a creative and easy way to cradle each bite of shrimp with a mouthful of serious flavor. Avocado, pico de gallo and chili powder are just a couple of additions that transform your PowerFuel and SmartCarb serving into something very special.

30. Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Pasta >

Let’s face it, shrimp scampi is a calorie bomb. Like many Italian dishes, with heavy pasta bases, this meal is not often enjoyed by the health conscious. We are here to tell you that we have the solution. This Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Pasta recipe is a lower-carb take on the shrimp dinner your love. Spiralized zucchini balances out whole wheat spaghetti, while vegetable stock, garlic and lemon juice deliver some serious zest. Fancy dinner for one: Done.

31. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Kebabs >

Eating with a fork is so last year. Eat your shrimp off of a skewer! This Lemon Garlic Shrimp Kebabs recipe means fewer dishes and less dinner drama. Knowing the right ingredients to make a dish pop is key here. Just the tasty basics—like basil, thyme, parsley and oregano—and two (we kid you not, two) easy ingredients, and you’re good to go. As far as healthy shrimp recipes go, this one is a keeper for the busy bees.

32. Shrimp Spring Roll with Chili Soy Sauce >

Asian flair brought to your shrimp dinner fare. This Shrimp Spring Roll recipe is unique and oh-so-delicious. The chili soy sauce blends so sweetly with soy to season up a rice-paper stuffed masterpiece. Shrimp, cabbage and sprouts may be healthy, but taste is the number one reason to favor this meal. Whether dinner or lunch, you’ll leave the table deeply pleased.

33. Shrimp Cucumber Bites >

Shrimp is almost designed to be eaten in bite form. Our Shrimp Cucumber Bites recipe take seconds to throw together because hummus does all of the work for you. Get your water-packed vegetable in, along with some PowerFuel and a little nutrient-dense SmartCarb action. Finished with paprika, you’ll feel like this healthy shrimp recipe was meant for an elegant crowd, but you can have it all to yourself.

34. Creamy Green Gazpacho with Shrimp >

Soup is healing for the soul, but what good is that if you’re busy burning your tongue as you try to dive in? This Shrimp and Creamy Green Gazpacho recipe is a cool option on a couple of different levels. Easily whipped together in the blender, this healthy shrimp recipe packs an extra punch of protein with nonfat Greek yogurt, satiates with water-dense cucumber and pleases the palate with spices like cilantro and cumin. The only effort expended is cooking the shrimp (for about eight minutes) and your dish is on the table. Use precooked shrimp and this recipe is almost entirely effortless. Too good to be true? We think not.