How To Cook Shrimp On The Stove

Pan Fried Shrimp are the best way to learn how to cook shrimp on the stove! Seasoned, perfect and ready in JUST 15 Minutes! Whoa! 

How To Cook Shrimp on the Stove

Why This Recipe Works

• Easy – all the instructions are right here.
• Cheap – Use frozen shrimp that you can find almost anywhere!
• Fast – ready in 15 minutes!
• Works on ANY stove top, you’ll be eating fantastic pan fried shrimp in minutes! 

Here’s How It’s Done

STEP 1 

Thaw your shrimp! You can do this by putting them in the fridge the day before you plan to use them OR by running them under cool water for about 5 minutes and then towel drying them well.

Want to Pan Fry these shrimp?

STEP 2. 

Mix the drained shrimp with the oil and seasonings and place in the fridge for 5 minutes.  (We’ll be cooking these shrimp on the stove in no time at all).

How to Cook Shrimp on the Stove

STEP 3. 

Heat your frying pan on the stovetop over medium heat with the other 2 Tbs of oil and then toss in the shrimp with their oil and spices all at once! You’ll see that the shrimp start to turn pink and curl up! That’s when they are done! You just made pan fried shrimp on the stovetop! 

Cook those little shrimp right up!

You’ll LOVE This Dish With…

We always enjoy shrimp with some rice and making it in the microwave is the EASIEST way ever! You could add this shrimp to this EASY fettuccini alfredo. Either way, you will definitely want to combine it with my favorite Shrimp Sauce! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How To Cook Shrimp On The Stove

1. Mix oil, garlic, onion powder, hot sauce, salt, pepper and stir in shrimp. Place mix into refrigerator for 10 minutes
2. Heat skillet on stove and add shrimp, oil, seasonings all at once.
3. Cook shrimp on the stove over medium high for about 5 minutes until shrimp turn pink and start curling.

What Kind Of Shrimp Do I Use? 

For this pan fried shrimp recipe, you will want to use Frozen Peeled and Deveined Shrimp. 

If you have bought something else, it’s fine, just use what you have. 

Shrimp with shells will take a little longer to cook.

How Do I Defrost the Shrimp? 

Run the shrimp under cool water for about 5 minutes and then dry very well with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. 

***DO NOT EVER thaw shrimp by allowing them to sit out on the counter for several hours, this could cause you to become sick***

Here’s a whole bunch of information about everything you ever wanted to know about food safety and shrimp! 

Can I Thaw My Shrimp in the Microwave?

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should thaw your shrimp in the microwave. The shrimp will likely turn rubbery and will not be a nice texture for eating. 

How Can I Warm My Shrimp Back Up Later? 

Heat 1 Tbs of oil in a frying pan over medium high heat. Add the shrimp and heat for 1-2 minutes on each side. 

What Kind Of Pan Do I Use?

Using a good heavy frying pan is always best. You can refer to my resources page to see which ones I recommend. However, use whatever frying pan you have available.

What Kind Of Oil Do I Use? 

A vegetable oil will do best for this job because of the higher smoke point. Butter is likely to burn and give an acrid taste at this temperature. Olive oil does better at lower temps too, but will do the job if that is what you have available. 

Tips & Tricks for How To Cook Shrimp On The Stove

• Use the best frying pan that you can afford. A nice heavy frying pan will heat evenly and will cook your shrimp evenly. 
• It can be tricky to cook shrimp properly, when you see the shrimp starting to curl and turning pink they are done. Don’t overcook them, because the texture will become yucky. 
• You will probably want to use more oil than what is stated, but really, you’ll see that this is enough oil.

PRO TIP:  Melt a couple tablespoons of butter to use as a dip for your shrimp. You can add some seasoning to the butter like minced garlic or flavored salts to give it a little extra zing. Make sure to sprinkle some lemon juice or lime juice over the top of your shrimp for a perfect acid balance.

YUM!

If You LOVE Seafood, how about one of these…

How to Cook Frozen Lobster

How to Make Frozen Fries

Cooking up Frozen Onion Rings! 

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How to Cook Shrimp on the Stove

You'll be the star of the show with these shrimp cooked on the stove! Easy and ready in minutes.

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: How to cook shrimp on the stove, pan fried shrimp

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 236kcal

Author: Wendi Spraker

Ingredients

• 1 lb of frozen peeled and deveined shrimp
• 4 Tbs cooking oil - divided
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ lemon

Instructions

• Thaw the shrimp by either placing in the refrigerator on the day before you plan to use OR by placing into a colander and running under cold tap water for 5-10 minutes.
• Dry the shrimp with a paper or cloth towel.
• Mix TWO tbs of oil with garlic powder, onion powder, hot sauce, salt and pepper in a medium sized bowl and stir the shrimp into the bowl. Place the bowl into the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
• Heat a large skillet over high heat, add the remaining 2 Tbs of oil. When oil surface is shimmery and the oil is hot (about 2-3 minutes) , add the entire contents of the shrimp bowl and reduce the heat to medium high.
• Stir the shrimp and turn until the shrimp turn pink and begin to curl (about 5 minutes). Turn off the heat and squeeze the lemon over the top of the shrimp. Serve with any extra lemon.

Notes

• Use the best frying pan that you can afford.  A nice heavy frying pan will heat evenly and will cook your shrimp evenly. 
• It can be tricky to cook shrimp properly, when you see the shrimp starting to curl and turning pink they are done.  Don't overcook them, because the texture will become yucky. 
• You will probably want to use more oil than what is stated, but really, you'll see that this is enough oil.  

PRO TIP:  Melt a couple tablespoons of butter to use as a dip for your shrimp.  You can add some seasoning to the butter like minced garlic or flavored salts to give it a little extra zing.  Make sure to sprinkle some lemon juice or lime juice over the top of your shrimp for a perfect acid balance.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

How to Cook Shrimp on the Stove

Amount Per Serving

Calories 236 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 11g55%

Cholesterol 285mg95%

Sodium 1203mg50%

Potassium 109mg3%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Protein 23g46%

Vitamin C 12.7mg15%

Calcium 168mg17%

Iron 2.5mg14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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A VERSE TO SHARE

I’m not doing so well with patience these days…. or ever. I know it’s a thing that we should practice, but I sure run short of it nearly all the time. Maybe you do to? God grant me (and you) patience. 

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love