12 Budget-Friendly Dinners That Start With Frozen Shrimp

close up view of Shrimp Curry in a pan with a wooden spoon, and Shrimp Curry over rice in a bowl — Photo: DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

Keeping your freezer stocked with staples makes it easy to create dinner, even when you don't have a lot of time. Loading up on frozen vegetables and grains is a great start, but having a few frozen proteins, like frozen shrimp, really helps bring a meal together.

Why Frozen Shrimp?

There are plenty of frozen proteins to choose from, so why frozen shrimp? Mainly, because shrimp thaws and cooks quickly. That means you can get home from work, defrost your shrimp, and within minutes start cooking.

Shrimp also pairs well with other foods in your freezer (broccoli, ravioli, potatoes, etc.) and tastes great with a wide variety of sauces and spices. And if you pay attention to sales at the store, you can pick up a bag or two when they're discounted.

Which Frozen Shrimp Should You Buy?

Shell-on shrimp are great because the shell acts as an insulator, keeping your shrimp from drying out while you cook them. The only caveat is that after they're thawed, you'll have to use kitchen scissors or a sharp paring knife to cut through the shell to remove the vein. Another option is raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp. This is a great time-saving choice since you won't have to mess with removing the shells or the veins. Just be vigilant when preparing so that you don't overcook them.

How to Prep Frozen Shrimp

Thaw your shrimp and if desired, devein and/or peel them. Then, regardless if you're using shell-on or peeled shrimp, pat them dry with clean paper towels (this helps prevent shrimp from steaming or sticking to your pan).

12 Great Recipes to Make With Frozen Shrimp

Ready to get cooking? Here are the 12 budget-friendly dinners that start with frozen shrimp.

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Simple Garlic Shrimp

There's a good chance that you already have many of the ingredients for this dish stocked in your kitchen–always a plus. Feel free to use more than the six cloves of garlic called for, if you like to amp up the garlic flavor. Finally, be sure your frozen shrimp are fully thawed and dried before cooking since you'll be adding shrimp to hot oil as the first step.

02 of 12

Spicy Grilled Shrimp

close up view of grilled shrimp with herbs on top, on a plate — KGora

Work smarter by thawing the shrimp while your grill preheats! And if you're concerned about them falling through the grill grates, consider threading your shrimp onto metal skewers just before grilling. Make it a meal by throwing a few portobello mushrooms and other vegetables on the grill while the shrimp cooks.

03 of 12

Louisiana Shrimp Creole

Onions, green bell pepper, celery, and garlic form the base of this beautiful, spicy tomato sauce, and you can prep the whole thing the night before (just reheat and add the shrimp). Pro tip: While you're picking up the ingredients at the grocery store, pick up a bag of frozen, cooked rice to serve with it!

04 of 12

Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

You can create an easy, inexpensive meal all on a sheet pan and this meal proves it! At less than five dollars per serving, this delicious dinner is packed with fresh veggies and shrimp! Pick up a package of flour tortillas for serving.

05 of 12

Dill and Shrimp Salad

This creamy shrimp salad starts with cooked shrimp, so read package directions for simple cooking preparations. Rinse cooked shrimp under running water and let cool before tossing with other ingredients. Serve over lettuce or stuffed inside a pita.

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Spicy Sambal Shrimp

Sambal olek (an Indonesian red chile paste) brings the heat and the flavor to this dish. You can make your own sambal or skip the work and pick up a jar (look in the world cuisine aisle of your grocery store or find it online). This dish is delicious served over rice or any other whole grain.

07 of 12

Chipotle Shrimp Tacos

The secret to great, inexpensive flavor in this dish is bacon and a can of chipotle chiles! Consider throwing in some chopped lettuce or bagged coleslaw mix just before serving for a bit of extra crunch. Save any leftover chipotles in a zip-top storage bag in the freezer to use next time.

08 of 12

Garlic Shrimp Linguine

It sounds like it should be expensive, but it's not! To save more money (or if you don't want to buy a whole bottle of white wine), you can substitute white wine vinegar. And if you have dried parsley on hand, you can use ¼ teaspoon in place of fresh.

09 of 12

Shrimp Couscous Salad

A basic dressing and flavorful ingredients is the secret to this dish's success. Dijon mustard helps create a tangy sauce that pairs perfectly with salty feta cheese, fresh bell peppers, and tomatoes. When tomatoes aren’t in season, use small cherry tomatoes for added flavor or swap in another vegetable that's on sale at your store.

10 of 12

Shrimp Quesadillas

close up view of a sliced Shrimp Quesadilla garnished with sour cream, green onions, and lime slices on an orange plate — naples34102

This recipe calls on spice cabinet staples like cumin and chili powder, which help keep costs down and eliminate extra shopping steps. If you can't find fresh bell peppers, see if your store stocks frozen ones. Pro tip: Buy tortillas when they're on sale and keep them in your freezer. They can thaw on the counter while you prepare dinner!

11 of 12

Authentic and Easy Shrimp Curry

The cost for this tasty meal stays low thanks again to pantry staples and plant-based foods. Most curry dishes take time to prepare, but this one comes together fast, so have your ingredients prepped and ready. Serve with flatbread or rice.

12 of 12

Shrimp Lemon Pepper Linguini

A great way to add brightness to a dish is to add lemon. And it's the flavor that shines in this recipe, so be sure to use a fresh one and skip the jarred stuff. To save time, cook the noodles to al dente the day before. Before dinner, toss them with a bit of olive oil, then stir into sauce as directed and cook until heated through.

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