The secret to making shrimp one of the easiest—and healthiest—weeknight meals of all time is in the preparation. Whether you buy it peeled and deveined or ask for that to be done at the seafood counter, the beauty of this versatile food is that it tastes just as good served cold as it does hot. Shrimp can easily transform into dinner or a perfect, pre-packed lunch, and it's not complicated to cook: It has a built-in timer in that, once it turns translucent and pink, it's done.
Shrimp also happens to be an excellent source of lean protein. With almost zero fat and plenty of omega-3s, selenium, B-12, iodine, and other important nutrients, it should be a regular part of your diet.
However, the trick to keeping shrimp healthy is to make sure your sauces are free of excess butter and oil and to skip the deep frying. But, that doesn't mean you need to say goodbye to your beloved scampi or coconut shrimp.
Read on for the best healthy shrimp recipes that cut the greasy preparation without sacrificing any flavor. (Plus, check out our 21+ Best Healthy Salmon Recipes for Weight Loss.)
Spanish Garlic Shrimp
Healthy olive oil is infused with tons of garlic and spice and then the shrimp is quickly sauteed in the fragrant oil. Serve this delicious dish with steamed veggies and rice or some crusty bread to soak up the flavorful oil.
Get our recipe for Spanish Garlic Shrimp.
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Shrimp Succotash Salad Recipe
This protein-packed salad is great for a healthy weekday lunch because it is delicious served cold. Bonus: If you present the dish on a fancy platter, it's also perfect for a party.
Get our recipe for Shrimp Succotash Salad.
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Instant Pot Shrimp and Broccoli
This saucy shrimp and broccoli recipe is as quick as it gets. Have dinner on the table in one minute with the use of your trusty instant pot.
Get our recipe for Instant Pot Shrimp and Broccoli.
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A Crispy Coconut Shrimp Recipe That Isn't Fried
This impossible-to-resist appetizer is baked not fried, so be sure to add this to your holiday table.
Get our recipe for Crispy Coconut Shrimp.
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Low-Calorie Shrimp Fra Diavolo Recipe
Skip the diet-busting shrimp scampi and make this spicy shrimp pasta dish instead. White wine, garlic, and a touch of red peppers make this an easy, healthy, and delicious weeknight meal.
Get the recipe for Low-Calorie Shrimp Fra Diavolo.
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Shrimp Scampi With Linguine Pasta
If you're still craving the lemon garlic butter of this classic, try this recipe which slashes the fat and still gives you all of the decadent flavor.
Get the recipe for Shrimp Scampi With Linguine Pasta.
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Shrimp in Tomato-Olive-Caper Sauce with Polenta
This recipe builds upon flavor instead of adding fat. Tomatoes, olives, and capers cook down in a white wine sauce and creamy polenta catches all of the tangy goodness.
Get the recipe for Shrimp in Tomato-Olive-Caper Sauce.
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Oven-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
Roasting shrimp with Old Bay seasoning gives another dimension to this classic appetizer. Plus, once you see how easy it is to make your own cocktail sauce you'll never go back to the wimpy bottled stuff.
Get the recipe for Oven-Roasted Shrimp Cocktail Recipe.
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Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe
Turkey kielbasa lightens up this nod to the classic Southern dish, leaving room for a bit of cheddar cheese to fortify the grits.
Get the recipe for Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe.
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Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
The trick to making this dish a winner is toasting the unsweetened coconut before coating the shrimp. A quick dip in coconut milk adds a hint of tropical flavor.
Get the recipe for Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp.
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Low-Calorie Shrimp Lo Mein Recipe
When you see how easy it is to make your own lo mein at home you'll never want to gloppy take-out stuff again. Bonus, you can mix and match your favorite veggies.
Get our recipe for Low-Calorie Shrimp Lo Mein.
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Chipotle Shrimp Quesadilla
Marinating shrimp in a combination of orange juice, chipotle pepper, and garlic infuses this dish with sweet-and-spicy flavor. Tip: To make more than one quesadilla at a time use the oven instead of a saute pan.
Get our recipe for Chipotle Shrimp Quesadilla.
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Healthy Shrimp and Spinach Salad With Warm Bacon
A classic warm bacon dressing makes this protein-packed salad perfect for a quick lunch but also fancy enough for guests.
Get our recipe for Healthy Shrimp and Spinach Salad With Warm Bacon.
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Shrimp Taco With Pickled Onions Recipe
When life gives you leftover shrimp, turn it into these easy weeknight tacos.
Get our recipe for Shrimp Taco With Pickled Onions.
Shrimp and Mango Summer Roll Recipe
Summer rolls are spring rolls lean and clean cousin. The mild flavor of shrimp is the perfect foil for crunchy veggies, tangy mango, and super thin rice noodles.
Get our recipe for Shrimp and Mango Summer Roll.
Browse more of our easy, healthy seafood recipes:
- 61+ Best Healthy Fish Recipes for Weight Loss
- 17 Flavorful Tilapia Recipes to Dress Up the Mild Fish
- 43 Healthy Seafood Recipes That Are Surprisingly Easy to Make
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