Broiled Shrimp

Broiled shrimp is one of the best ways to cook it! It’s easy and comes out juicy and perfectly seasoned. Add breading for an irresistible crunch!

Just when we have our favorite way to cook shrimp…along comes another one! And this Broiled Shrimp is out of this world good. When we made it, I couldn’t stop declaring my praises for it. “Wow!” kept slipping out of my mouth, and I immediately texted my best friend and mom to share the recipe. That’s when you know it’s a keeper. This broiled shrimp is tender, juicy, and so fast to cook. You don’t even need to preheat the oven! It’s perfectly seasoned with garlic and lemon. Make it with or without a breadcrumb coating, which adds the perfect crunch. You’ve got to try this one!

Don’t have a broiler? Go to Easy Baked Shrimp (same method in the oven).

How to make broiled shrimp: some tips!

This broiled shrimp is so quick and easy, it’s become our new go-to method (that and our stovetop Ssimp). The nice thing about this broiled shrimp vs our baked shrimp is that you don’t even have to wait for the oven to preheat. Just throw it in and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. It’s so easy, it barely requires thought. Here are the basic steps:

• Use any type of shrimp. Frozen or fresh works! Tail on looks nice, but not required if you don’t like the extra step.
• Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until opaque! It will vary based on the shrimp size, so make sure to keep an eye on it.
• Rotate the pan for even cooking. Some broilers can be uneven (ours is!), so rotating the pan helps the shrimp to become evenly browned.

Breadcrumb topping is optional (but so tasty!)

This broiled shrimp recipe is over-the-top good with the breadcrumb topping! It makes for the perfect crispy crunch and nuanced flavor. But it’s absolutely as delicious without the coating. It makes the recipe easier and gluten-free as well.

If you do use the breadcrumb topping, here are a few notes about the breadcrumbs:

• Use homemade if at all possible. We followed the How to Make Breadcrumbs recipe, which results in beautifully fresh, crunchy crumbs. We also added the Italian seasonings that are listed in the recipe, but no salt. Homemade breadcrumbs are much more delicious than store bought, so we’d highly recommend this option.
• If using store bought, try to find plain or those without salt. Try to find plain breadcrumbs. That means there’s no added salt!
• Or, adjust salt in the recipe accordingly. If all you can find is store bought breadcrumbs with salt, adjust the salt in the recipe. We’d suggest adding about half the specified salt.

Seasoning variations for broiled shrimp

This broiled shrimp recipe is Mediterranean in style: it uses lemon, garlic, oregano, onion powder, and lemon for the seasonings. It comes out so delicious we’ll probably always make this version! But if you’d like to vary the vibe of this broiled shrimp, go for it! Here are some ideas:

• Feta crumbles. Omit the breadcrumbs. Top with feta for a Mediterranean or Greek-style vibe.
• Cilantro lime. Switch out oregano for cumin and lemon juice for lime. (See also Cilantro Lime Shrimp.)
• Curry powder or curry paste. Heighten the flavors by stirring in curry powder or curry paste to taste (skip the oregano).

How to thaw frozen shrimp

You can use either frozen or fresh shrimp for this broiled shrimp: either it just as good! In fact, sometimes frozen shrimp can be even fresher, if it’s frozen right when it’s caught. The only hard part about frozen shrimp is…you have to make time to thaw it! Here are a few options depending on when you think of it:

• Day before: If you think ahead, simply place the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight.
• Day of: Place the frozen shrimp into a large bowl with very cold water. Stir the bowl every 5 minutes to break up clumps of shrimp that freeze together. The shrimp should be defrosted in about 15 minutes.

What to serve with broiled shrimp

There are so many things to accessorize with this tasty broiled shrimp to make it a meal! Here are a few of our favorite sides to go with shrimp:

• Steamed or Sauteed Veggies: To make it a seriously fast meal, add one of these fast side dishes: Peas with Lemon, Sauteed Mushrooms, Sauteed Broccoli, Sauteed Spinach, Lemon Herb Cauliflower, Sauteed Chard, or Sauteed Kale.
• Whole Grain: Add Pesto Quinoa, Herby Farro, Rice, or couscous.
• Salad: Pair with Tossed Salad, Celery Salad, Antipasto Salad, Cabbage Salad, Mexican Salad, Easy Arugula Salad, Kale Salad, Chopped Salad, or Perfect Italian Salad.

This broiled shrimp recipe is…

Pescatarian and gluten-free (without the breadcrumbs, which is just as good!). Gluten-free breadcrumbs are also easy to find.

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More best shrimp recipes!

Shrimp is a great healthy meal choice if you eat seafood. Here are some of our favorite healthy shrimp recipes:

• Garlic Butter Shrimp HUGE flavor in under 10 minutes! A fast and easy dinner for weeknights or entertaining, it will become your go-to.
• Shrimp Stir Fry or Classic Shrimp Fajitas Two classic dinners that take 30 minutes or less.
• Creamy Shrimp Pasta Easy to make with the best big flavors: garlic, lemon, and Parmesan.
• Perfect Sauteed Shrimp or Honey Garlic Shrimp This really is the best easy shrimp, with the best seasoning.
• 3 Cheese Shrimp Pizza Like shrimp alfredo…on pizza crust!
• Easy Coconut Shrimp Baked to perfection: no one can resist that juicy coconut-scented bite!
• Shrimp Cocktail The zesty famous cocktail sauce will have everyone begging for the recipe.
• Shrimp Fried Rice Taste just like your favorite takeout!
• Shrimp Pesto Pasta A fast and easy dinner recipe! Cover the noodles in glistening green basil pesto for a meal that pleases everyone. Or try Easy Pesto Shrimp.
• Coconut Shrimp Curry Tastes better than a restaurant in under 30 minutes! It’s a Thai red curry flavored with coconut milk and curry paste.
• Shrimp and Broccoli Soy sauce and rice vinegar flavor this shrimp and broccoli, which comes together in minutes! Serve with rice or over noodles.