30 Spicy Shrimp Recipes for People Who Love Heat

Spicy Grilled Shrimp
Spicy Grilled Shrimp | Photo by KGora.

Need a little more spice in your life? Turn up the heat with one of our favorite spicy shrimp ideas. Whether you're looking for a flavorful dinner to make on a busy weeknight, a restaurant-worthy meal that'll impress your guests, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer that's easy to make with just a few ingredients, you'll find a new favorite in this collection of our best spicy shrimp recipes.

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Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Scampi

Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Scampi on a white plate
mommyluvs2cook

According to recipe creator Rachel Timmerman, this spicy shrimp scampi is easy to throw together with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

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Sweet and Spicy Shrimps

Sweet and Spicy Shrimps on a white plate
Soup Loving Nicole

An incredibly easy sauce made with just chile-garlic sauce and honey takes regular grilled shrimp up a couple notches. It also works well with bacon-wrapped shrimp, says recipe creator TheGoddessGigi.

03 of 31

Spicy Thai Shrimp Pasta

noodles with veggies and shrimp on plate
lutzflcat

Make this simple main dish with just five ingredients: a package of rice vermicelli, tomatoes, green onions, cooked shrimp, and Thai peanut sauce. It's great served warm or cold.

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Spicy Shrimp Gumbo

bowl of shrimp gumbo with rice
Maryregina Pacheco

Recipe creator Mark Lackey says this comforting seafood dinner is "delicious during cold winter nights." If you want, you can add a can of diced tomatoes.

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Spicy Shrimp Pad Thai

shrimp pad thai in a wok
Teresa Crowe

Here's a satisfying dinner that comes together in under an hour, so it's perfect for busy weeknights. Garnish with crushed peanuts, green onions, and cilantro.

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Spicy Shrimp Tortilla Soup with Zucchini Noodles

shrimp tortilla soup with zucchini noodles and avocado garnish in a white bowl
bd.weld

"This shrimp soup comes together quickly and will warm your insides with spicy red pepper, diced tomatoes, and zucchini noodles," says recipe creator bd.weld.

07 of 31

Spicy Grilled Shrimp

Spicy Grilled Shrimp
KGora

Cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic, and lemon juice work together to make this grilled shrimp wonderfully flavorful. Serve alone or atop mixed greens for a healthy meal.

08 of 31

Grilled Spicy Shrimp Tacos

Grilled Spicy Shrimp Tacos on a white plate
Soup Loving Nicole

Shrimp is marinated in a 5-ingredient chile-lime sauce, topped with a cilantro-flavored slaw and a sweet and spicy Chipotle sauce, and served in hard taco shells.

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Spicy Shrimp Fried Coconut Rice

portrait shot of shrimp fried rice
Colette Trebon

This is a "spicy sauce paired against a sweet coconut fried rice with veggies and fresh shrimp mixed in," recipe creator Colette Trebon says of this tasty twist on shrimp fried rice.

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Air Fryer Shrimp a la Bang Bang

Air Fryer Shrimp a la Bang Bang
Soup Loving Nicole.

Use your air fryer to make this low-oil "fried" shrimp. "Homerun," raves reviewer Vince Cobelo. "Absolutely delicious, easy to prepare and very little mess due to no deep frying."

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Spicy Shrimp Creole

Shrimp Creole over white rice
Krystal Rollow

Your dinner guests will love this tasty shrimp cooked in a spicy cayenne-spiked tomato sauce. Serve over white rice and alongside homemade crusty bread.

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Sweet and Spicy Jerk Shrimp

shrimp, pineapple, onion, and peppers roasted on a sheet pan
Carson Downing

Jamaican jerk-seasoned shrimp is cooked alongside juicy pineapple, flavorful veggies, and spicy jalapenos for a deliciously simple sheet pan meal.

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Spicy Coconut Shrimp Bisque

Spicy Coconut Shrimp Bisque
Spicy Coconut Shrimp Bisque | Photo by Catherine Drew. Catherine Drew

What's the secret, shortcut ingredient for this shrimp bisque? Two cups of ready-to-serve creamy tomato soup! Top with fresh basil and serve with crushed crackers.

14 of 31

Spicy Lime Grilled Shrimp

grilled shrimp with parsley over white rice in an orange dish
France C

Made with just four ingredients (shrimp, the juice of one lime, Cajun seasoning, and vegetable oil), you can prep this simple shrimp in just five minutes.

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Spicy Sambal Shrimp

Spicy Sambal Shrimp
Soup Loving Nicole

An ample amount of sambal oelek (Indonesian red chile paste) gives this shrimp a spicy kick. Serve over cooked sushi rice and top with green onions for a pop of color.

16 of 31

Spicy Shrimp and Red Bean Soup

Spicy Shrimp and Red Bean Soup
Jessica

This quick and easy dinner starts with a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup. Recipe creator Kim Berley recommends serving with garlic toast for a complete meal.

17 of 31

Spicy Chipotle Grilled Shrimp

grilled shrimp on skewers on a white plate
Soup Loving Nicole

A tablespoon of paprika adds a delicious smokiness to this grilled shrimp on a stick. "By far the best shrimp I have ever made," raves 5-star reviewer Becca Miller.

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Chef John's Spicy Shrimp Cakes

Spicy Shrimp Cakes
Photo by Chef John.

Use a food processor to make these tasty little appetizers. Chef John suggests serving with his Thai-Style Sweet Chili Sauce on the side.

19 of 31

Spicy Coconut and Lime Grilled Shrimp

Spicy Coconut and Lime Grilled Shrimp
Lisa Weston

"This easy recipe blends together coconut and lime and adds just a touch of spice with jalapeno peppers," says recipe creator Molly O, who says this is the perfect appetizer for summer cookouts.

20 of 31

Spicy Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

The Allrecipes community can't get enough of this simple appetizer. "I made this twice in the past month for dinner guests and received rave reviews from everyone," says reviewer Lindy.

21 of 31

Spicy Baked Shrimp

Spicy Baked Shrimp

Skip the grill and make this spicy shrimp in your oven. Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper turn up the heat, while honey adds a welcome sweetness.

22 of 31

Spicy Shrimp Primavera

Spicy Shrimp Primavera

This restaurant-worthy meal will impress even your most discerning dinner guests. If you don't like shrimp, you can easily substitute chicken instead.

23 of 31

Spicy Fish Soup

bowl of fish soup with green garnish
Liberty7878

This easy fish soup may be low in fat, but it's rich in flavor. Non-fat yogurt makes it extra creamy without adding calories.

24 of 31

Spicy Shrimp Dip

Spicy Shrimp Dip
bd.weld

Look no further for your new favorite party dip. Just mix mayonnaise, cream cheese, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and onion juice with chopped shrimp.

25 of 31

Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp

Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp
Photo by Holly A Evans.

If you like the spicy shrimp at a certain chain restaurant, you'll love this homemade copycat. Eat alone as an appetizer or serve in tortilla shells.

26 of 31

Air Fryer Sriracha-Honey Shrimp

Air Fryer Sriracha-Honey Shrimp
Soup Loving Nicole

Have dinner on the table in fewer than 15 minutes. This recipe calls for a tablespoon of Sriracha sauce, but you can use more or less depending on the level of heat you're looking for.

27 of 31

Steve's Spicy Shrimp Kabobs

Steve's Spicy Shrimp Kabobs
Soup Loving Nicole

Jalapenos are stuffed with shrimp, wrapped in bacon, then grilled on skewers. What more could you want in a fully loaded party appetizer?

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Happy Shrimp

Happy Shrimp
Rita Martinez

A creamy tomato sauce, made with white wine and flavored with cayenne pepper and basil, is the perfect complement to shrimp. Serve over angel hair pasta.

29 of 31

Drunken Shrimp

Drunken Shrimp
tumtum

Spicy shrimp is cooked in an easy sauce made with ketchup and beer. "Very good and easy recipe," says reviewer Lisa B. "I didn't change a thing and the family loved it."

30 of 31

Chef John's Shrimp Etouffee

Chef John's Shrimp Etouffee
Mart

Chef John's take on a New Orleans favorite is easy to make with frozen shrimp. "Made this dish and now it's one of my family's favorites," says reviewer Dee Jones.

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More Inspiration

Baked Coconut Shrimp on a shallow white serving plate with sauce on side
Photo by glutenfreegirl. glutenfreegirl

Try one of our Best Shrimp Recipes Ready in 30 Minutes. Plus, explore our entire collection of Shrimp Recipes.

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