15 Ways To Add More Flavor To Shrimp

Shrimp is the new lobster. According to a new survey, this little crustacean has won over the hearts and stomachs of the American public and is the most popular protein at seafood restaurants in the US. And it's no wonder why. Shrimp have a tender, delicate, nutty flavor, they're easy to cook, and they contain a whole host of important vitamins and minerals, including selenium and copper, and they're one of the only sources of carotenoid astaxanthin, which can boost your immune system and help fight inflammation.

Shrimp also has a long history and have been used in recipes from around the world for thousands of years. Since shrimp are found all around the world, coastal communities have incorporated the tender crustacean into all sorts of dishes, like curries, soups, and stir-fries. The ancient Greeks cooked shrimp in fig leaves, while the Romans preferred them fried or roasted. These days, shrimp has evolved as a versatile protein that is used in modern, creative ways to make innovative dishes in kitchens and restaurants around the globe.

On their own, shrimp have a delicate, nutty, mildly sweet flavor, but there are plenty of methods and ingredients that can help elevate the flavor of shrimp to be the star of a meal. The tips and tricks in the list below will show you how.

It's no secret that air fryers are all the rage these days. An air fryer works by circulating hot air to cook food, so instead of frying shrimp in fat, you can enjoy fried shrimp with a fraction of the calories using little or no oil. This recipe for air fryer spicy shrimp, for instance, doesn't require any oil at all! And you don't need to sacrifice the crisp texture that you get from traditional deep frying because an air fryer can give you the same crunch without the need for the mess that often comes with deep frying shrimp in oil.

Although it has the word "fryer" in the name, some of the best uses for your air fryer have nothing to do with frying at all because the appliance is also capable of grilling, which happens to be another fantastic way to cook flavorful shrimp, as evidenced by this sweet and spicy grilled shrimp recipe. Air fryers also heat much more quickly than conventional ovens, so you can have your shrimp dinner on the table in a fraction of the time.

One might call garlic shrimp's best friend. While garlic is the pungent cornerstone of cuisines around the world, its robust flavor profile pairs perfectly with shrimp, which is why so many dishes, from this garlic butter shrimp to traditional jambalaya, call for a healthy helping of the odorous tuber. Garlic and shrimp are both versatile and can be used in a variety of different cooking methods, including sauteeing, roasting, and grilling, meaning you can use the pair in a whole host of applications.

Garlic is also low in calories but packs a huge flavor punch, so if you're looking to shed some pounds, you can still feel free to add as much as you'd like. Not only that, but garlic possesses a whole host of health benefits, including reducing cholesterol, blood pressure, and the risk of heart disease. So if you're looking to add a savory, aromatic quality to your shrimp, look no further than the mighty bulb of garlic.

It's no wonder that coconut and shrimp have been used together in dishes for centuries. In many coastal cultures, like those in the Caribbean and Polynesia, there is an abundance of both sea life and coconuts, so it seems like a no-brainer that these two rich, succulent ingredients would eventually find each other in some delicious ways, like this coconut lime shrimp ceviche. And we should be glad they did because the creamy, slightly sweet taste of coconut milk pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness also found in shrimp, and it's a match made in heaven.

The velvety smooth texture of coconut milk makes it a key ingredient in curries, stews, and soups, which are perfect dishes in which to incorporate tender, succulent shrimp. Coconut milk is also a source of healthy fats, which is why it has gotten a lot of buzz in health food circles recently. If you've never cooked with it, there are some tips you need when cooking with coconut milk, including always shaking the can before you open it and knowing the difference between light, full fat, and coconut cream. So go coco-crazy!

Butterflying shrimp is a technique that involves slicing shrimp down the back, cutting it almost all the way through, and then opening it up like a book, as seen in this video by Emeril Lagasse. The top tip you need to butterfly shrimp is to choose large or jumbo-sized shrimp with the shell on because using small shrimp makes the process much more time-consuming. Butterflying your shrimp increases their surface area, so it leaves more meat exposed to soak up all the flavor of your seasoning or from a grill.

Since butterflied shrimp have more surface area to interact with heat when cooking, they cook faster than whole shrimp, and it's easier to cook the meat more evenly. Butterflied shrimp also make for a more attractive presentation, the symmetrical halves giving diners the (correct) feeling that you've worked extra hard to give your shrimp that extra something that elevates the dish. You can also stuff butterflied shrimp with filling like cheese or crab for a delicious and easy-to-eat appetizer.

Few ingredients brighten a dish as simply and effectively as fresh herbs. Parsley, for instance, has a fresh, lemony flavor that perfectly complements the rich sweetness of shrimp meat, while rosemary lends a woody, earthy tone that goes well with shrimp on the grill. In this video, Ina Garten, the reigning queen of tasteful entertaining, explains that she likes to add fresh dill to her shrimp salad to give it a fresh tang that cuts through the fat in the dish.

Adding fresh herbs is also a perfect way to get some vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. According to one study, the oil found in parsley leaves contains a compound that can help ward off cancer, while another study found that thyme may contain antimicrobial properties. And if you don't have an herb garden like Ina Garten, you can store fresh herbs in a refrigerator.

It's hard to find food that doesn't pair well with bacon. And good news for seafood lovers: Shrimp is no exception. The almost miraculous combination of fatty and salty flavors from bacon pairs perfectly with the delicate, nutty sweetness of shrimp to produce a perfect harmony of flavor and texture. Even a recipe as simple as bacon-wrapped shrimp is sure to satisfy even the pickiest diners. While these bite-size morsels make a great appetizer, you can also put them in a portion of pasta for a heartier main course.

And it's not only a question of flavor. Bacon that's fried crispy provides a contrast in texture to a plump, tender, juicy shrimp, which makes for a more complex and satisfying dining experience. Shrimp are also easily overcooked and can become tough and rubbery, but the fat in bacon helps to keep shrimp moist and tender. You can also add bacon to shrimp recipes, like this authentic shrimp mofongo that contains chopped up bacon that adds a savory, umami profile to the hearty dish.

As Julia Child famously said: Everything is better with butter. Shrimp, especially when they're fresh and juicy, have a distinct natural flavor that is sometimes overshadowed by other ingredients. But the simple combination of shrimp, butter, and Old Bay seasoning, like the one used in this seafood boil recipe, lets the shrimp shine in the culinary limelight. Butter acts as a taste enhancer, carrying the flavors of other ingredients and delivering them to your taste buds along with the fatty texture and aroma of the butter itself.

The high-fat content in butter also helps to prevent shrimp from drying out during the cooking process. You can poach shrimp in a butter sauce, which is a quick way to cook up a plate of shrimp that won't disappoint. Although butter gets a bad reputation for being a fatty food, it also contains essential vitamins that aid in skin health and bone growth, as well as calcium, which protects from osteoporosis (via WebMD).