Last Updated on April 21, 2025
This Easy Shrimp Recipe will create an effortless weeknight meal. In one skillet and 10 minutes, you can have delicious shrimp ready to serve. The shrimp are slow-cooked on low heat in garlicky olive oil with just enough ground cumin and smoked paprika to season them perfectly. The result is a blend of savory flavors made even more tasty with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
If you have been around Joe’s Healthy Meals for a while, you know that I love shrimp recipes. Shrimp is readily available in frozen form and easy to defrost at a moment’s notice. I always try to keep some shrimp in the freezer. Whenever I’m at a loss for what to make for dinner, I know that I have shrimp that can be prepared in so many ways. Like “Shrimp and Sausage Stew,” “Creamy Shrimp Scampi,” or “Penne ala Vodka with Shrimp.”
So this easy shrimp recipe is foreign to the spices that I associate with shrimp. Let’s make it.
Why This Shrimp Recipe Works
1. Balanced Flavors
The combination of smoked paprika and ground cumin creates a well-balanced symphony of flavors, enhancing the natural sweetness of the shrimp.
2. Slow-Cooking Magic
Slow cooking allows the shrimp to absorb the rich flavors gradually, resulting in a tender and succulent texture. It also prevents the shrimp from releasing its natural moisture making it more tender.
3. Versatility and Accessibility
The simplicity of the ingredients and the accessibility of the recipe, make it an ideal choice for both beginning and experienced cooks looking for a quick and tasty meal.
4. Health-conscious Choice
The lean protein of shrimp makes this recipe a nutritious option without compromising on taste.
5. Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor
This recipe is simple but doesn’t sacrifice flavor and provides a hassle-free solution for those seeking a delicious yet easy-to-prepare seafood dish.
The Ingredients Needed To Make This Shrimp
There are just a few ingredients in this recipe which makes it so easy to prepare.
Start with raw shrimp that is peeled, deveined, and tail off. Any size can be used but larger is better. 16 to 30 shrimp per pound is perfect.
The remaining ingredients needed are good extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic cloves, ground cumin, smoked paprika, fresh lemon, and fresh parsley for garnish. The recipe card contains the whole list with the amounts needed.
How To Make Shrimp With Cumin and Paprika
Start with a large skillet on low heat and add the olive oil and slivered garlic. Let the garlic cook until it starts to brown slightly. That should take around 3 minutes.
Then add the cumin and smoked paprika and stir to combine with the garlic and oil. Let that cook for another minute.
Cumin and smoked paprika are pretty strong flavors and can become overpowering if too much is used. Only a level teaspoon of each is needed for this recipe. The result is really tasty shrimp!
Then add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes on the first side. Then flip the shrimp over and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. The shrimp are cooked through when they are opaque white/pink and start to curl slightly. Undercooked shrimp will have a gray coloring that is somewhat translucent. Look for doneness on the thickest part of the shrimp.
Remove the skillet from the heat, plate the shrimp, drizzle with lemon juice, and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Tips To Make This Recipe
The key to tasty shrimp is to not overcook it. Remove it from the heat as soon as it is cooked through.
Cooking on low heat will also allow the shrimp to retain more of its natural moistness. On my electric stove, I set the temperature to 3 on a scale of 1.0 to 10.
What To Serve With The Shrimp
Pairing side dishes that complement the bold flavors of cumin and smoked paprika shrimp is key to creating a well-rounded meal. Here are some suggestions:
1. Cilantro Lime Rice
The freshness of cilantro and the zing of lime perfectly balance the smokiness of the shrimp, creating a harmonious combination.
2. Garlic Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or baby potatoes would enhance the meal with a mix of textures and flavors while adding a nutritious touch.
3. Southwest Salad
A fresh salad with greens, red onion, tomatoes, black beans, cilantro, and Southwest Dressing would be perfect.
4. Garlic Bread
A side of garlic bread can be a delightful addition, allowing you to soak up any flavorful juices from the shrimp.
5. Mango Salsa
For a sweet and tangy kick, consider a mango salsa with red onions, jalapeños, and cilantro, offering a tropical twist to your meal.
Feel free to mix and match these side dishes based on your preferences, creating a well-balanced and satisfying dining experience alongside the cumin and smoked paprika shrimp.
This Easy Shrimp Recipe with cumin and smoked paprika offers a straightforward, flavorful dinner solution. With minimal effort, you can enjoy the rich taste of slow-cooked shrimp, accentuated by the earthy notes of cumin and smoked paprika.
Whether it’s a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, this recipe provides a fuss-free way to satisfy your taste buds. Simple, delicious, and sure to become a go-to favorite way to prepare shrimp.
More Great Shrimp Recipes
- Andouille Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya
- Classic Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
- Shrimp Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
Easy Shrimp Recipe with Cumin and Smoked Paprika
Ingredients
- 1 lbs. large shrimp, raw, peeled and deveined, tail off,
- 4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, slivered
- 1 tsp. ground cumin,
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 fresh lemon, for juice
- fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet on low heat add olive oil and slivered garlic. Cook until the garlic starts to brown, 3 minutes.
- Add the cumin and smoked paprika and stir into the oil and garlic. Cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the shrimp in one layer and cook for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Turn the shrimp with a fork or tongs and cook the second side for 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the shrimp warm with a drizzle of lemon juice and garnish with chopped parsley.
Notes
- Use level teaspoons of the cumin and smoked paprika. They are both powerful spices and can become overpowering.
- If some of the shrimp seem cooked through and others do not yet, turn the heat off and keep the shrimp in the skillet to finish with residual heat.
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