Our best low-carb and keto shrimp recipes
Their mild flavor makes shrimp a great match for almost any cuisine. Pair them with garlic and butter, fresh citrus and herbs, spicy chili, creamy sauces, or bold marinades for an easy meal that’s full of flavor.
Shrimp also cook in just a few minutes, making them especially useful for quick weeknight dinners. Keep frozen shrimp on hand and you’ll always have a convenient protein-rich ingredient ready for salads, stir-fries, tacos, curries, and skillet meals.
If you’re allergic to shellfish or simply don’t eat shrimp, many of these recipes can be made with chicken or another type of seafood instead. Check our substitution guide for more ideas, and remember to adjust the cooking time for the ingredient you choose.
Popular shrimp recipes
Tips for cooking shrimp
Shrimp are one of the quickest proteins to cook, whether you sauté, grill, bake, broil, boil, or steam them. The exact cooking time depends on their size and the cooking method, so watch them closely — overcooked shrimp can quickly become dry and rubbery.
What is the best way to cook shrimp?
One of the simplest methods is to sauté shrimp in butter or olive oil over medium-high heat. Garlic, lemon, chili, and fresh herbs are easy additions that add plenty of flavor without making the recipe complicated.
Cook the shrimp just until the flesh turns opaque and the shrimp are cooked through. Larger shrimp will naturally take a little longer than smaller ones.
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Dr. Georgia Ede joins Kristie Sullivan in the kitchen to make shrimp with spaghetti squash while sharing her experience with low-carb eating. Watch more episodes of Cooking keto with Kristie, season 2.
Diet Doctor Plus members can watch the full episode. Not yet a member? Explore Diet Doctor Plus.
How do you cook shrimp without overcooking?
Shrimp cook quickly, so timing matters. They can be sautéed in a skillet, baked or broiled on a sheet pan, threaded onto skewers for the grill, or gently boiled or steamed for salads and other cold dishes.
Whichever method you choose, keep a close eye on them as they cook. Raw shrimp are translucent, while cooked shrimp become opaque and firmer. Remove them from the heat as soon as they’re cooked through, since residual heat will continue cooking them briefly after they leave the pan.
A gentle curve is normal for cooked shrimp. When shrimp become very tightly curled and rubbery, they’ve usually been cooked too long.
Tips for purchasing shrimp
Fresh and frozen shrimp can both be excellent choices. In fact, shrimp sold as “fresh” may previously have been frozen, so high-quality frozen shrimp can be a convenient option to keep on hand for quick meals.
If sustainable sourcing and responsible farming practices are important to you, certification labels can make choosing shrimp easier. The international Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) provides guidance and certification for wild-caught seafood, while the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certifies responsibly farmed seafood.
In the US, the non-profit Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch also provides recommendations for choosing seafood based on species and source.
Quick low-carb and keto shrimp recipes
Shrimp are ideal for quick meals because they need very little cooking time. These recipes combine fast-cooking shrimp with simple ingredients and plenty of flavor, making them great choices for busy weeknights or easy appetizers.
Keto bang bang shrimp
Our keto bang bang shrimp combines juicy shrimp with a crispy almond flour and Parmesan coating and a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a gluten-free, high-protein keto dinner that’s perfect with a crunchy salad or your favorite low-carb vegetables.
Spanish garlic shrimp
Our low-carb Spanish garlic shrimp works equally well as an appetizer or a main dish. Serve it with other Spanish-inspired favorites such as Manchego cheese, olives, or Serrano ham.
Garlic and sesame prawns
Our low-carb garlic and sesame prawns pair juicy shrimp with bok choy, bell pepper, green onions, garlic, and sesame for a quick Asian-inspired meal.
Hot keto shrimp cocktail
This warm take on shrimp cocktail pairs shrimp with a creamy mayonnaise-based Thousand Island dressing and can be ready in less than 15 minutes.
Low-carb and keto shrimp marinades
Shrimp readily take on the flavors of a marinade, making them perfect for everything from fresh herbs and citrus to garlic, chili, and warming spices.
The recipes below use skewers for easy grilling, but you can also cook the marinated shrimp quickly in a hot skillet.
Shrimp skewers with chimichurri
These low-carb shrimp skewers are served with a fresh chimichurri sauce packed with herbs, garlic, and bold South American-inspired flavors.
Adjust the amount of chili or pepper to suit your preferred level of heat.
Buttery harissa shrimp skewers
These buttery harissa shrimp skewers combine rich butter with the warm, spicy flavors of North African-inspired harissa. Reduce the amount of harissa paste if you prefer a milder dish.
Low-carb and keto shrimp salads
Shrimp are an easy way to add protein to a fresh salad, and they work equally well served warm or chilled. Pair them with crunchy vegetables, avocado, eggs, fresh herbs, or a flavorful dressing for a simple low-carb meal.
Keto shrimp avocado boat
This keto shrimp avocado boat fills creamy avocado halves with a simple shrimp salad made with mayonnaise, red onion, and seasoning. Ready in just 5 minutes, it’s an easy protein-rich option for lunch, a light dinner, snack, or appetizer.
Swedish shrimp salad with dill
Our classic Swedish shrimp salad with dill combines shrimp with fresh dill and a creamy dressing for a simple Scandinavian-inspired dish.
Spicy shrimp salad
This fresh keto salad combines warm, spicy shrimp with creamy avocado, crunchy cucumber, and a ginger-garlic dressing.
Shrimp salad with hot bacon fat dressing
This quick shrimp salad with hot bacon fat dressing combines spinach, shrimp, bacon, and boiled egg with a warm, savory dressing.
Keto shrimp tacos and wraps
Shrimp are perfect for tacos and wraps because they cook quickly and pair well with fresh, bold flavors like lime, cilantro, avocado, chili, and creamy sauces.
Keep the carbs low with cheese taco shells, egg-based wraps, or simply serve the filling in a bowl with your favorite low-carb vegetables.
Creamy keto shrimp tacos
Crispy cheese taco shells are filled with shrimp in a rich, creamy sauce for a flavorful keto take on shrimp tacos.
Keto wraps with avocado and shrimp salad
Thin egg wraps make a simple flour-free base for this combination of shrimp, avocado, homemade mayonnaise, chili, and cilantro.
Low-carb and keto shrimp skillet meals
Quick-cooking shrimp are ideal for skillet meals, especially when you want dinner on the table without a lot of prep or cleanup.
From rich, creamy sauces to lighter vegetable-based dishes, these one-pan recipes make it easy to turn shrimp into a complete low-carb meal.
Creamy low-carb Tuscan shrimp
This creamy Tuscan-inspired shrimp dish combines garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and white wine in a rich sauce. Serve it on its own or pair it with your favorite low-carb vegetables.
Georgia’s shrimp with spaghetti squash
This simple shrimp and spaghetti squash recipe was created for Dr. Georgia Ede using ingredients that worked with her dietary needs. It’s a flavorful example of how a limited ingredient list can still become a satisfying meal.
