Need an easy way to cook shrimp? Bake them! Baked Shrimp are a super simple and quick way to cook shrimp for dinner, appetizers, or meal prep. The best part? These tender, juicy shrimp are cooked in a delicious garlic butter sauce, and they’re ready to eat in just 15 minutes.
Shrimp is such a versatile protein. They are really quick cooking, and they take on the flavors of whatever dishes they are in so well. I have tons of shrimp recipes here. You should try my Shrimp Boil if you are looking for a show-stopping meal to serve. Poach Shrimp to use for shrimp cocktail or cold salads, or just stay here and make this easy Baked Shrimp that will be a go-to dinner for you in no time.
Baked Shrimp is the kind of dinner I like to make on a night that I have very little time to cook, but I want to enjoy a really delicious meal. I can have the main protein and some simple side dishes ready in no time at all, and the whole family is happy.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Simple and Delicious: We will season our shrimp with garlic, butter, lemon, and spices. Nothing about this recipe is complicated, but the flavors are absolutely perfect. It’s a mix of everything I love on pasta, but added to shrimp instead.
- Mix and Match: These shrimp can be dressed up or down in a variety of ways. Read down below for specific ideas, but the opportunities are endless! From salad to appetizer to main dish, baked shrimp will always be the start of a great meal.
- So Fast: Shrimp cook fast because they are smaller than most other proteins. Just 12 minutes in the oven to get perfectly pink, tender baked shrimp.
Ingredients Needed
To make shrimp in the oven you just need some shrimp and some seasonings. Here is a rundown of what to collect:
- Shrimp: This recipe is for extra large shrimp. Buy them already peeled and deveined, or do that prep yourself. Be sure not to buy pre-cooked shrimp for this recipe.
- Butter: Butter is a must for these delectable, savory shrimp. It adds flavor and fat to a lean protein.
- Garlic: I use 3-4 cloves of garlic for this shrimp, minced finely so that it can really add tons of flavor.
- Lemon: Lemon juice adds a bright, acidic flavor that brings the rest of the flavors to another level.
- Red Pepper Flakes: This is optional, because I know some of you might not like the heat, but I love the spicy bites that it gives this meal.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Cook Shrimp in the Oven
Once you learn how to make shrimp in the oven, you might make it this way all the time! It’s so simple. Follow these steps to make the best shrimp: it’s a bit crisp on the outside with amazing flavor and a tender, juicy inside.
- Mix Seasonings: Get a small bowl and add melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Fill Baking Dish: Add the shrimp to a 9×13 baking dish. Toss in the dish with the butter mixture, then arrange the shrimp in an even layer. You should have enough room to do a single layer, with none of the shrimp overlapping.
Tip!
Don’t Overlap the Shrimp! They’ll cook most evenly if they each have their own space in the baking dish.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven for 12 minutes, as directed in the recipe card below.
- Finish: Remove from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes and/or fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Recipe Success Tips
- Buy the right shrimp. Be sure to use raw, peeled shrimp if you are going to bake shrimp in the oven. Choose extra large sized shrimp for the timing of this recipe. Larger or smaller shrimp will work, but the cooking time will be different.
- Thaw it! If your shrimp is frozen, thaw it before baking for best cooking results. Frozen shrimp won’t bake properly using this recipe.
- Set up the oven. Make sure your oven rack is set in the center of the oven so that the shrimp cooks evenly.
- Give it a squeeze. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice on the shrimp after it comes out of the oven is the perfect finish.
How to Serve Baked Shrimp
Make a Super Simple Dinner. Imagine this: Baked Shrimp with a side of Garlic Butter Pasta and your favorite steamed vegetable (pictured below). It’s so easy it should be illegal, and it will be amazing.
Shrimp is Perfect with Pasta. You can throw this garlicky shrimp into or onto so many pasta dishes. Try it with Creamy Lemon Pasta, Baked Feta Pasta, or Pasta with Alfredo Sauce. If you’re looking for creamy shrimp pasta, I have the most amazing recipe for you! Or try my Baked Shrimp Scampi – it’s similar to this recipe, but makes much more sauce!
Have Baked Shrimp for Lunch. It doesn’t matter if you’re making lunch fresh, or packing it to take with you tomorrow. This shrimp is delicious either cold or hot. Add shrimp to a Ceasar Salad, or enjoy it with some Mediterranean Chickpea Salad for the perfect healthy mid-day meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course! These shrimp have an Italian style seasoning with lots of garlic, but they’d be delicious with other seasonings too. Try cajun seasoning or Old Bay Seasoning!
You can leave them on or take them off for this recipe. For me, it will depend on how I’m serving them. If I don’t mind people eating with their hands, I’ll leave the tails on. And if I’m serving a fancier crowd I might take them off before baking so there’s less mess.
Shrimp are done when they are no longer translucent and they start to turn from gray to white with hints of pink or orange.
This is the absolute easiest shrimp recipe, and I know you’re going to enjoy so many amazing dinners with it. Make sure to Pin it for later!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Baked Shrimp
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pounds extra large raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic 3-4 cloves
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Add the shrimp to a 9×13 dish, toss with the butter mixture and spread in an even layer.
- Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired, and garnish with chopped parsley.
Notes:
- Serving. The shrimp portion is usually ⅓ pound per person if peeled, if you’re buying unpeeled raw shrimp then about 1 pound per person.
- Don’t Overlap the Shrimp. They’ll cook most evenly if they each have their own space in the baking dish.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Verna says
So how would you adjust it if you have frozen cooked shrimp? Haven’t cooked much with shrimp, so I was just in sure.
Diana says
Hi Verna, I recommend that you thaw it first (super simple to do, place the frozen shrimp in a zip top bag and place that in water for 20-30 minutes). Frozen shrimp won’t bake properly using this recipe.