Shrimp has got to be one of the most versatile foods to cook with; the tiny morsels can be elevated to a restaurant-quality shrimp cocktail or whipped up into a quick dip that will impress at any summer BBQ. Shrimp is popular due to its mildly sweet and salty taste and because it has less of the “fishiness” that comes with other fish dishes.
Here you will find 13 of the best cold shrimp recipes that are sure to stun everyone this summer while keeping you out of the heat of the kitchen. Whether you’re looking for a new and exciting meal for the family or an impressive dish for a large gathering, you’re bound to find the perfect shrimp recipe for any occasion!
1. Thai Shrimp Noodle Salad
Beautifully light, simple, and quick to make, this Thai shrimp noodle salad combines a spicy peanut dressing with plenty of fresh, flavorful ingredients and is on the table in less than 30 minutes. Shake the dressing up in a mason jar, toss vegetables, noodles and shrimp together, and you’re done! Great for a weeknight meal or as a make-ahead recipe for work lunches.
2. Pickled Shrimp
Pickling shrimp may sound a little strange, but it is an amazingly tangy cold shrimp appetizer that is super easy to prepare. Every mouthful just tastes light and fresh! It’s made with lemons, capers, and red onion, but there are so many things that could be added to this recipe! You can eat it on its own or with fresh bread and a glass of white wine — either way, you’ll be coming back for more.
3. Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Add this one to the weeknight meal roster! This recipe requires no hot ovens, is packed with delectable shrimp, creamy avocado, fresh tomatoes, and cilantro, and is slathered in a light, zest lime dressing. It can be served with tortillas or tostadas or even be made ahead on a Sunday for easy, healthy weekday lunches.
4. Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Known in Mexico as Cóctel de Camarónes, this cocktail pairs shrimp with a selection of fresh vegetables to produce mouthwatering flavors. Along with the traditional celery, cucumber and tomatoes, it also adds in a spicy tomato sauce and some diced jalapenos. It’s an easy appetizer or party food that will make people wonder how much time you spent slaving away in the kitchen!
5. Shrimp Roll
Inspired by the classic lobster roll, this recipe takes a buttery bread roll and stacks it with a creamy, herby shrimp mixture that will easily become a go-to summer meal. Plus, it’s so easy to keep a batch of the shrimp mix in the fridge to stuff into pita bread, rolls, or tortillas for a quick and satisfying lunch!
6. Shrimp Avocado Cucumber Bites
A platter of these appetizers will disappear in no time! The tiny bite-sized snacks are the perfect mouthful of crunchy cucumber paired with fresh creamy avocado, with juicy, slightly spicy shrimp on top. At only 70 calories each, they can be made any time there are mouths to feed and people to impress!
7. Shrimp Ceviche
Ceviche is a dish that marinates fish and vegetables in lemon juice. It is thought to have originated from pre-colonial Peru and is now popular across the world. This version uses precooked shrimp, making it the perfect recipe for people new to ceviche. It packs all the flavors but takes out all the hard work!
8. Classic Shrimp Cocktail
You really can’t go wrong with this recipe — there’s a reason shrimp cocktail is an absolute classic! In fact, it’s been popular since the 1960s! Served in a cocktail glass rimmed with shrimp that is dipped in the delicious homemade sauce, make these for your next gathering as an easy way to impress with minimal work in the kitchen.
9. Chilled Shrimp Cucumber Cups with Creamy Herb Sauce
An adorable and incredibly flavorful addition to a dinner or cocktail party, this recipe features a creamy lemon and herb shrimp mixture served in crunchy edible cucumber cups. They are a perfect finger food topped with crunchy radish and a sprig of dill to make a snack that you just can’t get enough of!
10. Mediterranean Shrimp Salad
A shrimp salad with a twist! If you love Mediterranean flavors, this shrimp salad is packed with olives and fresh vegetables and drizzled with good-quality olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice. This is the perfect cold lunch recipe to take to work or on a picnic.
11. Sushi Shrimp Stacks
How good do these look? All the delicious flavors of sushi in an easy-to-make stack. Simply pile cucumbers, avocado, and juicy shrimp on top of some perfectly seasoned sushi rice, and you’ll be in sushi heaven with only a fraction of the effort! Usually, sushi requires a mat, some nori, and a whole lot of patience, but with this recipe, you’ll be tasting shrimp sushi rolls within the hour!
12. Garlic Shrimp Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a party staple — crusty toasted bread rubbed with olive oil and garlic and topped with tomato and basil. This version takes it one step further with the addition of perfectly garlicky shrimp. Easy to whip up in large batches, this is one holiday recipe that will impress guests and feed a crowd!
13. Creamy Shrimp Pasta Salad
This has got to be the perfect pot-luck recipe! It’s quick to throw together in both large and small amounts and transports really well. A creamy, lemony dressing combines pasta and shrimp in one big bowl of happiness. Try it at your next summer bbq — thank me later!
