This Old Bay Shrimp recipe has readers calling it โAmazing,โ โFantastic, โ โTasty and easy,โ and โLoved it!โย As a shrimp aficionado who has created countless shrimp recipes and tested every trick in the book, I can confidently say this Old Bay Shrimp is next-level easy and delicious. Follow along for your step-by-step guide to bold, buttery, garlicky, lemony, perfectly spiced shrimp!
Why you’ll love This Old Bay Shrimp Recipe
What is Old Bay Shrimp?
Old Bay Shrimp refers to shrimp seasoned with the iconic Old Bay seasoningโa bold, zesty blend of herbs and spices with a signature kick of celery salt, paprika, and black pepper. Often the shrimp is boiled/steamed in its shell along with Old Bay Seasoning, beer and water.
Today, I wanted to create a quick stir-fried or grilled version to minimize the work and maximize the freshness. I also wanted to make a recipe that doesn’t require your family and guests to “peel and eat.”
In this recipe, itโs not just about sprinkling some seasoning and calling it goodโitโs about infusing juicy shrimp with layers of buttery, garlicky, lemony goodness that amplifies the Old Bay flavor in the most craveable way.
Old Bay Shrimp Recipe Ingredients
Let’s take a closer look at what you need to make this recipe (measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
FOR THE SHRIMP
FOR Cooking
HOW TO DEFROST SHRIMP
You will want to use defrosted (or fresh), peeled, and deveined shrimp for this Old Bay Shrimp recipe.ย There are two options for defrosting your shrimp:
1. To quickly defrost:ย Place the frozen shrimp in a fine-mesh sieve or colander. Place this sieve in a large bowl of cold tap water for 10 minutes.ย ย After 10 minutes, replace the water in the bowl with new cold tap water and submerge the shrimp.ย Let shrimp sit for an additional 10- 20 minutes. ย At this point, the shrimp should be thoroughly defrosted.
2. To defrost shrimp overnight:ย ย The easier way to defrost your shrimp (if you remember in advance) is to remove your frozen shrimp to a covered bowl and let them defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Whatever you do, resist the urge to defrost your shrimp using warm tap water (and NOT the microwave), as this will cause the shrimp to defrost and cook unevenly.
How to Cook Old Bay Shrimp
Let’s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
TIPS FOR cooking old bay Shrimp
Make the best Cajun Shrimp with these tips and tricks:
Serving Stove Top Shrimp
You can turn this Old Bay Shrimp recipe into a complete meal by serving it with some stir fried veggies and rice or serving it with some of these sides:
Making a Salad With Old Bay Stove Top Shrimp
This Old Bay Shrimp can also easily transform into a salad! To Make Old Bay Shrimp Salad, cook shrimp according to directions then cut shrimp into bite size pieces. Mix shrimp with:
Cover and chill Old Bay Shrimp salad for at least two hours. The chilled salad is perfect for a light lunch or appetizer, It can be served over lettuce, in a lettuce wrap, or scooped onto crackers.
Shrimp Old Bay Recipe FAQs
Old Bay Shrimp is shrimp cooked with Old Bay seasoning.ย ย If you arenโt familiar with Old Bay Seasoning, its a world famous, top secret spice blend of rumored 18 herbs and spices that pairs deliciously well with seafood.
It is produced in the ย Chesapeake Bay area where it was developed by German immigrant Gustav Brunn in 1939 and was later purchased by McCormick in 1990 (and no, this is not a sponsored post, I just love Old Bay seasoning). ย It is named for the Old Bay Line, a passenger ship that sailed between Baltimore and Norfolk Virginia at the time.
During the 1930s, crabs were so plentiful in Baltimore, Maryland that bars actually offered them for free! ย In order to not only season the crabs, but to encourage patrons to purchase more beverages, several salty crab seasonings were created, including Old Bay Seasoning. ย Old Bay is one of the surviving spice mixes of that era. ย Who knew?!
This Old Bay Shrimp isnโt called Old Bay Shrimp for nothing -it is ALL about the complex spice blend!ย There are many โcopycat, do it yourselfโ Old Bay seasoning mix recipes out there, but Old Bay survived since 1939 for a reason. ย In my opinion, Old Bay seasoning isnโt like making your own taco seasoning, after all, it does boast 18 different herbs/spices such as paprika, celery salt, bay leaves, thyme, cayenne, dry mustard, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, etc.
So if you donโt own the bright yellow can with a bold blue stripe, then I suggest investing in some. ย Not only does it go great with anything seafood and produce stellar Old Bay Shrimp, but add a sprinkle to French fries, chicken, hamburgers and sandwiches, dips, potatoes, veggies, pizza, popcorn, eggs, soups and immediately delishify your plate!
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Old Bay Seasoning Shrimp
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Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 1/2 pounds uncooked large shrimp (31/40 count per pound), peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon butter
20 Minute Marinade
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon reserved Cocktail Sauce
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Cocktail Sauce
- 1/2 cup chili sauce (tomato based such as Heinz)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish more or less to taste
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce more or less to taste
Garnish
- fresh parsley
- lemon juice (taste first)
Instructions
Cocktail Sauce
- Add all of the Cocktail Sauce ingredients to a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Remove one tablespoon to a large bowl or freezer bag (for your shrimp marinade). Store the remaining Cocktail Sauce in the refrigerator.
Marinade
- Add all marinade ingredients to 1 tablespoon cocktail sauce and whisk to combine. Add shrimp and stir until evenly coated. Marinate at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
STOVETOP DIRECTIONS:
- Melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add shrimp and cook just until opaque, about 3 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Remove shrimp to a plate. Serve with Cocktail Sauce. NOTE: You will need to work in 2 batches unless you have an extra large skillet (as pictured in video) or your shrimp will steam instead of sautรฉ.
GRILL DIRECTIONS:
- NOTE: Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes in water before grilling or broiling.
- Thread shrimp onto skewers.
- Grease grill and heat to medium high heat. Grill shrimp for 3-5 minutes on each side or just until shrimp has become pink and firm being careful to not overcook.
- Remove shrimp from grill and generously brush with 1-2 tablespoons melted butter. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste if desired.
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ยฉCarlsbad Cravings Original
Danielle M. says
I have some some Old Bay in the spice drawer and I’ve been looking for things to do with it! This is perfect, and it looks SO delicious – I’ll have to try it soon!!
Jen says
Awesome Danielle, I hope you love it! Its the perfect meal to dust off that Old Bay seasoning for!
Connie Catucci says
Can you do shrimp cocktails with this recipe?
Jen says
Absolutely!
Ruth says
I made this the other night and it was so amazing. My daughter reheated leftovers the next day and said how good it was.
Jen says
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Ruth, I’m so happy it was such a hit and that even the leftovers were tasty!
Laurie Miller says
I made this tonight and it was fantastic! It’s the first time I’ve cooked shrimp (I’m 65…go figure). This recipe was so tasty and easy. I paired it with creamy cheese grits, and it was soooooo good. My husband’s taking the leftovers to work for lunch tomorrow.
Thank you, Jen! Every recipe I’ve made from your website has been perfect (and, apparently, foolproof!).
Jen says
Welcome to the world of shrimp Laurie, I’m so pleased (and relieved) your first experience was a delicious success! Your old Bay Shrimp sound fantastic with creamy cheese grits – mmmmm! Thank you for your kind words – I’m honored you’re enjoying my recipes!
Lauren says
Iโm a Maryland girl now living in Montana who loves Old Bay and this recipe! Relatively easy to put together and super flavorful. This time around, the shrimp will be the main course with a side of cheddar bay biscuits. Great recipe, thanks!
Jen says
You’re so welcome Lauren! I’m so pleased this could bring a taste of home!
Sharon says
We really loved it. My husband said always make this way. We enjoyed with rice and green beans.
Jen says
Thanks so much Sharon, I’m so pleased it was a hit!