Get perfectly sautéed shrimp every single time with this easy and fool-proof step-by-step tutorial on how to sautee shrimp on the stove!
This sautéed shrimp recipe comes with the most delicious marinade and toasted spices. It’s a quick and healthy seafood option to make on the stove.
The Best Way to Sauté Shrimp
This sauteéd shrimp recipe is our go-to shrimp recipe. We have literally made this recipe 2-3 times a month but with different flavors and ingredients. One thing that never changes is the method.
The method for this shrimp recipe was inspired by a cooks illustrated recipe that pan-sears shrimp after it has been marinated. You sear the shrimp starting in a cold pan and then toss the shrimp in toasted spices. You can’t beat it.
For this specific sautéd shrimp recipe, we use dried spices like ginger and garlic and a little bit of delicious garlic paste in the marinade.
why we love this sautéed shrimp recipe
- This recipe leaves you with perfectly cooked shrimp every time.
- We love the flavors of this recipe paired with fresh herbs and a bite of sesame seeds.
- This sautéd shrimp is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Best Shrimp for Sauteeing
What is the best shrimp for sauteeing on the stove? We recommend uncooked, jumbo shrimp. If possible, buy it already deveined and peeled for easier prepping. We’ve found the best luck going straight to the butcher for the best quality shrimp.
If you can’t find it fresh, feel free to buy it frozen. This recipe also works for any size of shrimp, but we recommend large or jumbo.
Ingredients You Need for Sauteed Shrimp
- Shrimp: we highly suggest buying quality jumbo shrimp. Usually, that means you will find shrimp that haven’t been peeled in the deli or the frozen section. Target actually has our favorite jumbo shrimp right now. You can find them in the freezer section.
- Olive oil: you marinate the shrimp in a bit of oil, sugar, and garlic.
- Granulated sugar: The sugar will help to brown the shrimp when it is sautéd in the pan.
- Garlic: fresh garlic adds a bunch of delicious flavor the the shrimp.
- Spices (granulated garlic, ground ginger, kosher salt): this combination of flavors both crusts the shrimp and adds that list bit of amazing flavor to the pan.
- Garlic chili sauce + Soy sauce: you finish the recipe off with a little chili sauce and soy sauce to add some heat.
Fresh and Easy Garnish Idea
One of the best parts of this recipe is the fresh herbs that you add to the cooked shrimp. It really elevates the recipe. All of the ingredients below are the perfect garnish for this shrimp recipe.
- Cilantro
- Green onion
- Sesame seeds
- Lime juice (fresh lemon juice works too)
More Ingredient Combinations
There are so many flavor combinations that you can use for this type of sautéd shrimp. This recipe is a combination of Asian flavors but the sky is the limit. Below are other fun flavor combinations you can use.
- Garlic powder + dried thyme and then tossed with feta crumbles, fresh parsley, and pistachios.
- Italian Seasoning + salt and then tossed with fresh mozzarella and basil
- Chili powder + paprika + salt and then tossed with cheddar cheese and green onions
- Cumin, paprika + salt and then tossed with sliced cherry tomatoes and chopped fresh spinach
How to Sauté Shrimp
- Measure out ingredients: this recipe moves very fast. Be sure you shrimp are deveined and peeled, spices are measured out, and your herbs are shopped. It is also crucial that you pat the shrimp dry to remove any excess water from the shrimp.
- Marinate shrimp: Add the shrimp to a bowl and toss with the oil, sugar, and garlic powder. Let them sit for 15 minutes.
- Sauté shrimp: This is the most important part! Start off with a cold large skillet pan. Place the shrimp in the pan. Turn the heat to medium high heat and let the shrimp sauté for 4 minutes and 4 minutes only.
- Remove the sauté pan from the heat and then quickly flip the shrimp over and let the shrimp sit in the pan for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp are fully cooked. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- Toast spices: Add the ginger, garlic, and salt to the pan and toast the spices until fragrant over medium heat. Remove the pan from the skillet and then add the shrimp to the pan. Toss the shrimp with the spices. Add the soy sauce and garlic sauce to the shrimp and toss.
- Toss with fresh ingredients: Finally, add the cilantro, green onion, and sesame seeds to the pan and toss ingredients together.
- Enjoy: Enjoy the shrimp over rice or on their own.
Add some more spice by adding red pepper flakes,
What to Serve with Sautéed Shrimp
There are so many different side dishes you can prepare to eat alongside this shrimp. Below are some great side dish options.
Dipping Sauce Ideas
Other Ways to Cook Shrimp
We love this cooked shrimp recipe, but if you are looking for more ways to cook shrimp we’ve got you covered there, too.
Grilled Shrimp– Get perfectly grilled shrimp every single time with this easy and fool-proof step-by-step tutorial on how to grill shrimp!
Shrimp Salad– Eat the rainbow with this Healthy Shrimp Salad that’s packed with fresh ingredients, perfectly sautéed shrimp and a creamy dressing (no mayo!). Enjoy!
Shrimp Pasta– How to make shrimp scampi you ask? It’s easy! This Asparagus Shrimp Scampi recipe will absolutely blow your mind because it’s made with tons of veggies, fresh shrimp, and a delicious olive oil butter sauce with a splash of lemon
Broiled Shrimp– This broiled shrimp recipe is the easiest way to make perfectly juicy and crispy shrimp! Seasoned with cajun seasoning and served with a heavenly honey butter sauce.
Garlic Butter Shrimp– This 5 ingredient Garlic Butter Shrimp is ready in 10 minutes! With the perfect garlicky and buttery flavors, this shrimp will jazz up any occasion. Enjoy!
Great Jones
Cast Iron Pan
The Great Jones King Sear is our favorite cast iron pan. It’s definitely worth the splurge to add to your kitchen collection!
Common Shrimp Questions
There are so many ways to season shrimp for this recipe or other recipes. Try our easy shrimp marinade for a flavorful marinade. If you are looking for other tasty recipes we love using our cajun seasoning for our cajun shrimp recipe. It is so good.
We highly recommend marinating shrimp before serving.
It all depends on how you are eating shrimp. We suggest boiling shrimp for a shrimp cocktail. If you are eating shrimp in pasta or over gritz we recommend sautéing the shrimp.
Again, it all depends on how you are preparing your shrimp. We love pairing shrimp with lemon and garlic sauce for pasta. If we are boiling shrimp, we love a simple cocktail sauce. The sky is the limit.
