Valentina Ablaev
Learn how to make the BEST Oven Baked Shrimp! This easy shrimp recipe is ready in under 15 minutes and it makes for the ultimate party appetizer recipe!
OVEN BAKED SHRIMP-
Cooking shrimp in the oven is so much easier than you think and maybe enjoyed in so many different ways. Raw shrimp seasoned with salt and pepper then baked to perfection.
HOW TO BUY SHRIMP-
Though you can purchase fresh shrimp from your local grocery store, frozen shrimp works just as well.
- If purchasing frozen shrimp, be sure to place it in the freezer before the shrimp has had time to thaw.
- Shrimp comes in different sizes from small to jumbo. Purchase the appropriate size you’ll need for your recipe.
HOW TO THAW SHRIMP-
Shrimp is best thawed in the refrigerator or in cold water. Do not thaw shrimp on the countertop where bacteria can grow.
Also, don’t thaw shrimp in warm or hot water as the warm water will change the texture of the shrimp. Note: Once thawed, DO NOT refreeze the shrimp.
HOW TO DEVEIN AND PEEL SHRIMP-
Peel shrimp by removing the shell and legs. Devein the shrimp by running a sharp knife down the middle of the back and gently removing the black vein, use a paper towel to hold the veins.
SHRIMP SEASONING-
In this recipe, we just season with the classic salt and pepper but you can use any of your favorite homemade seasonings depending on what flavors you like!
- Classic Salt and Pepper
- Chicken Seasoning Blend
- Cajun Seasoning
- Taco Seasoning
HOW TO COOK SHRIMP IN OVEN-
Here is our guide to classic baked shrimp. You can add your favorite seasoning to the shrimp or keep it simple as we did. This is a great way to make shrimp to serve with cocktail sauce.
- Prep baking sheet– Preheat the oven and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Thaw shrimp– Defrost shrimp and completely pat dry. Devein the shrimp and remove the tail, optional.
- Season shrimp– In a small bowl toss shrimp in the olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread the shrimp evenly, in a single layer in the baking pan.
- Bake– Bake for 8-10 minutes, until opaque.
- Top with fresh parsley and sprinkle with black pepper. If you want, add some lemon juice over the shrimp before serving.
HOW LONG DO YOU BAKE SHRIMP?
The cook time for shrimp will slightly vary depending on the size of the shrimp. Here is a quick guide to baking shrimp:
- Small shrimp– bake 5-6 minutes
- Large shrimp– bake 7-8 minutes
- Extra-large shrimp– bake 9-11 minutes
- Jumbo shrimp– bake 12-15 minutes
NOTE: All ovens are different, you’ll want to cook the shrimp just until it turns pink and opaque. Overcooking the shrimp will give it a rubbery and unpleasant taste.
SERVE-
There are several different ways that you can enjoy shrimp. Here are some of our favorite ways:
- Appetizer– Serve these with some cocktail sauce and lemon wedges and lemon zest for the BEST shrimp cocktail recipe.
- In Ceviche– Chop up your baked shrimp and make a batch of Shrimp Ceviche!
- In Seafood Cups– We love using them in our Seafood Phyllo Cups.
- Use for Tacos– Season with Cajun seasoning or Taco seasoning and then bake and make Shrimp Tacos.
- For Shrimp Bowls– Season with Taco seasoning before baking, and then serve over rice for dinner like our Shrimp Bowls.
- In Pasta– Add this shrimp into you pasta, we love adding this shrimp to our Homemade Chicken Alfredo recipe.
Easy Oven Baked Shrimp (15 minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 lb large raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- If needed, peel and devein the shrimp, removing the tails if desired.* Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking, as shrimp can become tough and rubbery.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sides, dipping sauce, or a squeeze of fresh lemon.
- Serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Shrimp tails: Remove the tails for easier eating in bowls, salads, or pasta dishes. Leave them on for a shrimp cocktail or appetizer presentation.
- Cooking time: Cooking time depends on shrimp size. Check for doneness early to keep them tender and juicy.
Small: 5-6 minutes
Large: 7-8 minutes
Extra large: 9-11 minutes
Jumbo: 12-15 minutes
- Pat dry: Use paper towels to remove excess moisture from the shrimp so the olive oil and seasonings stick better.
- Arrange evenly: Spread the shrimp in a single layer on the baking sheet, leaving a little space between them for even cooking.
- Keep an eye on the time: Shrimp cook quickly, so check them near the end of the baking time to keep them tender and juicy.
- Serve immediately: For the best texture, serve the shrimp straight from the oven while they’re still warm and tender.
- Refrigerate: Let the leftover shrimp cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Store cooked shrimp in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that the texture may change slightly once thawed.
- Reheat: Warm the shrimp in a 300°F oven just until heated through, checking frequently to prevent them from becoming rubbery.
