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Pan seared shrimp is a super fast way to cook shrimp that is still flavorful, tender, and very versatile! Serve on its own with sides or add to a main like pasta alfredo!

You can serve this pan seared shrimp recipe with so many different sides or as a component in the main dish! It’s great paired with seasoned garlic rice, oven roasted vegetables, or roasted broccoli. Or add it to Fettucine with Alfredo Sauce.

Pan seared shrimp on a white platter with a spoon and cocktail sauce.
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Why We Love This Recipe

  • Cooks in Less than 5 Minutes – Pan seared shrimp cook FAST.
  • Simple Ingredients – Pick up some shrimp and some pantry staples for this easy recipe.
  • Versatile – There are endless ways to serve these simple, tender shrimp.

Ingredients

All you need are shrimp, oil, and some simple spices!

Ingredients for pan seared shrimp
  • Large Shrimp – Deveined, peeled, and with tails removed
  • Olive Oil – You can use another cooking oil like canola oil or avocado oil
  • Spices – Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes
  • Lemon Wedges and Fresh Parsley – For serving

How To Make Sauteed Shrimp

See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions

Raw shrimp in a white bowl.

Prep and Season Shrimp – Prepare the shrimp by washing and deveining (pulling out the black vein on the back) if needed. Pat them dry and toss the shrimp in the spices.

Shrimp in a black skillet.

Cook Shrimp – Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil until it shimmers (not smoking). Add the shrimp to the hot oil so they sit flat and are not touching. Cook for 1-2 minutes then flip over and cook for another quick 30 seconds. Remove to a plate. You may need to cook in batches.

Pan seared shrimp in a large skillet, lemon wedges, a wooden spoon.

Serve – Serve them immediately with fresh lemon wedges and sprinkled with fresh parsley.

FAQs

How long do you cook shrimp in a pan?

Shrimp only takes 2-3 minutes to cook in a pan. Depending on how many you’re cooking and the size of your pan, you may need to cook in batches.

How do you sear shrimp without overcooking?

The key to searing shrimp without overcooking them is to remember that they cook FAST. Remove from the pan and heat as soon as they are opaque and before they start to curl.

How do you know when shrimp is cooked?

Shrimp are cooked when they are pink and opaque – while raw shrimp will be raw and translucent. If the shrimp tails start to curl up, you want to remove from the heat so you don’t overcook. Overcooked shrimp can be tough.

What should you season shrimp with?

Shrimp is versatile with many seasonings. Some favorites are citrus like lemon and lime, garlic, herbs, and paprika. It’s also great seasoned simply with salt and pepper.

Variations

  • Oven Baked – Instead of on the stove, you can quickly bake shrimp in the oven using this sheet pan recipe.
  • Air Fried – You can also quickly cook shrimp in an air fryer using this recipe.
  • Tails On – For a prettier presentation, you can leave the tails on.

Storage and Reheating

Storage – Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating – Leftover shrimp is great eaten cold or you can reheat quickly in the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees F, or in a pan for just a minute or two until warmed. Be careful not to reheat for too long or they can get tough and chewy.

Served shrimp on small plates with forks and cocktail sauce..

Pro Tips

Buy Peeled and Deveined Shrimp – This is the best time-saving tip! Buying shrimp (fresh or frozen) that are already peeled and deveined will save you many minutes of prep time.

Quickly Thaw Frozen Shrimp – You can use frozen shrimp for this recipe, but they need to be thawed first. Luckily, frozen shrimp thaw quickly if you run them under cold water or add to a bowl with cold water.

More Shrimp Recipes

Recipe
Pan seared shrimp social media image.

Pan Seared Shrimp

5
Pan seared shrimp is super fast, flavorful, tender, and versatile! Serve on its own with sides or add to a main like pasta alfredo!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds large shrimp deveined, tails removed.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoons Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Lemon wedges
  • Fresh minced parsley
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Instructions
 

  • Heat a large, 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until it shimmers.
  • In a medium bowl toss the shrimp with the salt, pepper and red peper flakes.
  • Add to the skillet. Each piece should sit flat in the skillet, not touching, and untouched for 1-2 minutes.
  • Flip over using tongs. Let sit another 30 seconds to a minute before transferring to a plate. Shrimp is fully cooked when it is pink in color and no longer grey or opaque. You may need to do this in batches depending on how many shrimp you have. Once the tails start to curl, get them off the heat quickly.
  • Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges, fresh parsley garnish and cocktail sauce for dipping.

Notes

A serving of shrimp is about ½ pound, or about 7-8 per person. If served as part of a main dish, such as with pasta alfredo, you’d probably want 5-6 per person and could get 5-6 servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 31gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 286mgSodium: 1431mgPotassium: 260mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.01gVitamin A: 446IUCalcium: 124mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.

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