Broiled shrimp is one of the best ways to cook it! It’s easy and comes out juicy and perfectly seasoned. Add breading for an irresistible crunch!

Broiled shrimp

Just when we have our favorite way to cook shrimp…along comes another one! And this Broiled Shrimp is out of this world good. When we made it, I couldn’t stop declaring my praises for it. “Wow!” kept slipping out of my mouth, and I immediately texted my best friend and mom to share the recipe. That’s when you know it’s a keeper. This broiled shrimp is tender, juicy, and so fast to cook. You don’t even need to preheat the oven! It’s perfectly seasoned with garlic and lemon. Make it with or without a breadcrumb coating, which adds the perfect crunch. You’ve got to try this one!

Don’t have a broiler? Go to Easy Baked Shrimp (same method in the oven).

How to make broiled shrimp: some tips!

This broiled shrimp is so quick and easy, it’s become our new go-to method (that and our stovetop Ssimp). The nice thing about this broiled shrimp vs our baked shrimp is that you don’t even have to wait for the oven to preheat. Just throw it in and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. It’s so easy, it barely requires thought. Here are the basic steps:

  • Use any type of shrimp. Frozen or fresh works! Tail on looks nice, but not required if you don’t like the extra step.
  • Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until opaque! It will vary based on the shrimp size, so make sure to keep an eye on it.
  • Rotate the pan for even cooking. Some broilers can be uneven (ours is!), so rotating the pan helps the shrimp to become evenly browned.
Broiled shrimp

Breadcrumb topping is optional (but so tasty!)

This broiled shrimp recipe is over-the-top good with the breadcrumb topping! It makes for the perfect crispy crunch and nuanced flavor. But it’s absolutely as delicious without the coating. It makes the recipe easier and gluten-free as well.

If you do use the breadcrumb topping, here are a few notes about the breadcrumbs:

  • Use homemade if at all possible. We followed the How to Make Breadcrumbs recipe, which results in beautifully fresh, crunchy crumbs. We also added the Italian seasonings that are listed in the recipe, but no salt. Homemade breadcrumbs are much more delicious than store bought, so we’d highly recommend this option.
  • If using store bought, try to find plain or those without salt. Try to find plain breadcrumbs. That means there’s no added salt!
  • Or, adjust salt in the recipe accordingly. If all you can find is store bought breadcrumbs with salt, adjust the salt in the recipe. We’d suggest adding about half the specified salt.
Breadcrumbs

Seasoning variations for broiled shrimp

This broiled shrimp recipe is Mediterranean in style: it uses lemon, garlic, oregano, onion powder, and lemon for the seasonings. It comes out so delicious we’ll probably always make this version! But if you’d like to vary the vibe of this broiled shrimp, go for it! Here are some ideas:

  • Feta crumbles. Omit the breadcrumbs. Top with feta for a Mediterranean or Greek-style vibe.
  • Cilantro lime. Switch out oregano for cumin and lemon juice for lime. (See also Cilantro Lime Shrimp.)
  • Curry powder or curry paste. Heighten the flavors by stirring in curry powder or curry paste to taste (skip the oregano).
Broiled shrimp

How to thaw frozen shrimp

You can use either frozen or fresh shrimp for this broiled shrimp: either it just as good! In fact, sometimes frozen shrimp can be even fresher, if it’s frozen right when it’s caught. The only hard part about frozen shrimp is…you have to make time to thaw it! Here are a few options depending on when you think of it:

  • Day before: If you think ahead, simply place the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Day of: Place the frozen shrimp into a large bowl with very cold water. Stir the bowl every 5 minutes to break up clumps of shrimp that freeze together. The shrimp should be defrosted in about 15 minutes.
Broiled shrimp

What to serve with broiled shrimp

There are so many things to accessorize with this tasty broiled shrimp to make it a meal! Here are a few of our favorite sides to go with shrimp:

This broiled shrimp recipe is…

Pescatarian and gluten-free (without the breadcrumbs, which is just as good!). Gluten-free breadcrumbs are also easy to find.

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Broiled shrimp

Perfect Broiled Shrimp (Fast & Easy!)


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Broiled shrimp is one of the best ways to cook it! It’s easy and comes out juicy and perfectly seasoned. Add breading for an irresistible crunch!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, deveined (tail on or off)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt*
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional; homemade* or plain purchased breadcrumbs)
  • Lemon wedges
  • Chopped parsley or cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the broiler.
  2. If frozen, thaw the shrimp.
  3. Pat the shrimp dry.
  4. Mince the garlic. In a medium bowl, toss with the shrimp with the olive oil, garlic, oregano, onion powder, and kosher salt*. Toss until fully combined. If using breadcrumbs, add them and toss until all shrimp are coated.
  5. Place the shrimp on a baking sheet in an even layer. (You can add a few additional pinches of breadcrumbs if there were places where they did not stick to the shrimp.) Place the baking sheet in the oven and broil until juicy and opaque, about 3 to 6 minutes, until juicy and opaque, rotating the tray as necessary for even cooking.
  6. Spritz with fresh lemon juice from lemon wedges, sprinkle with chopped parsley or cilantro, and serve immediately.

Notes

*Homemade breadcrumbs are the best, if possible! Make sure the breadcrumbs have a fine texture so they stick to the shrimp. If you’re using purchased breadcrumbs, make sure they are plain with no added salt. If they are salted, adjust the salt quantity in the recipe to use less (start with half). Note that nutrition info below is without breadcrumbs.

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Broiled
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Keywords: Broiled shrimp

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About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

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13 Comments

  1. This looks delicious and I’m anxious to try it. I do have a couple of questions – the oven temp is not specified (my oven has low and high broiler settings). Also, how close should the pan be from the heat?

    Thanks so much.

  2. I am going to make this tonight. I just wanted to note that the recipe says ‘bake’ when I’m sure the instruction was meant to say ‘broil’?

  3. Looks yummy. What temperature are we supposed to put the broiler on? I don’t see it mentioned anywhere