These Perfectly Seared Shrimp cook up in only minutes with minimal ingredients, and they're versatile enough to add to any meal!
Do you usually celebrate Valentine's day? Honestly, Mr. Dreamboat and I don't, and we never really have.
We both agree that it's just a regular day that at some point was arbitrarily set as the day we are all supposed to "celebrate our love".
No thanks. We can do that on our own when restaurants aren't overbooked and charging extra.
Perhaps, if my schedule allows, I might make a little extra effort on a home-cooked meal, or cook something that we normally consider a "splurge" item.
Living in the Midwest, seafood usually falls into that splurge-worthy category, and we both love it. So, on Valentine's day, I sometimes break out the Bacon Wrapped Scallops that we both love, or these Perfectly Seared Shrimp.
To be perfectly honest though, you don't need a special occasion to make these shrimp.
How to make Perfectly Seared Shrimp:
These Seared Shrimp are super fast and easy to make and can be on your table in just minutes flat. Plus, you need only a bare minimum of ingredients (shrimp is basically all you need, with a few pantry staples).
I like the Argentinian Red Shrimp from Trader Joe's, but you can use any large or jumbo shrimp, as long as you remove the shells and veins before you cook them (or buy them already shelled).
Start by draining any water from your shrimp and blotting them dry with a paper towel. Don't skip this step or you will end up with steamed shrimp, not seared shrimp.
Toss the dried shrimp with some salt, pepper, and a little sugar. The sugar helps with browning - you won't be using enough so that the shrimp actually tastes sweet.
Heat a little oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add half of the shrimp and cook on one side. Flip the shrimp over and cook the other side. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and repeat with the other half.
Once you've got these shrimp cooked, they are super versatile. I usually serve them alongside a simple pasta and salad.
You can also use them on top of pasta, or in a grain bowl or salad. Or you could serve them as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce. Really, you can't go wrong!
Seared Shrimp Ingredients:
- Large or jumbo shrimp: make sure you allow time to thaw them in the fridge if you buy them frozen. Also, make sure they're peeled and deveined if you didn't buy them that way.
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Granulated sugar: You only need a pinch. No, it's not going to make your shrimp taste sweet.
- Canola or vegetable oil
Want more seafood recipes?
Perfectly Seared Shrimp Nutrition Notes:
Once considered something we should limit due to their cholesterol content, we now know that shrimp are a nutritionally excellent choice.
Dietary cholesterol doesn't affect cholesterol levels in our bodies as much as we once believed, and the amount of fat (especially saturated fat) in shrimp is low.
Plus shrimp is high in protein and has next to no carbohydrates.
Perfectly Seared Shrimp
Ingredients
Instructions
- If shrimp are wet, blot them with a paper towel to dry slightly. Toss shrimp with salt, pepper and sugar in a medium bowl.
- Heat 1 ½ teaspoons of the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add half of the shrimp and cook for about 1 minute until browned. Flip with tongs and cook for an additional 30 seconds until browned on the second side Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and repeat with the remaining 1 ½ teaspoon oil and the other half of the shrimp.
- After the second half of the shrimp has cooked, add the first half back to the skillet and cover. Let sit for 1-2 minutes until shrimp are cooked through. Serve immediately.
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