Healthy Shrimp Recipes

Shrimp is a healthy ingredient to add to recipes. It's low in fat and high in protein, and it's tasty. Classic shrimp dishes may be delicious but they may not be part of a low-fat, low-calorie, low-carb, gluten-free, or other type of healthy diet, but these recipes will fit various healthy lifestyle diets.

Shrimp and Zoodles

This variation on shrimp scampi is healthy for people on a low-carb diet, a paleo diet, a gluten-free diet, or those watching calories. It's loaded with healthy veggies and lean protein, and it tastes delicious. Zoodles are noodles made from zucchini, making them a guilt-free treat that fits into most healthy diet plans. You can make them using a spiralizer, which is a spiral vegetable slicer. You can also cut the zucchini into noodles using a vegetable peeler and then a paring knife to cut the strips into noodle shapes.

The recipe serves four and keeps in the refrigerator for up to three days. It doesn't freeze well.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1/2 a lemon
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• 2 zucchinis, cut into noodles
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Instructions

1. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil on medium-high until it shimmers.
2. Add the shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is soft, about three minutes.
3. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until it turns pink, about two minutes.
4. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until it is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, white wine, sea salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
6. Bring to a simmer.
7. Add the zucchini. Cook until the zucchini is soft, about four minutes.
8. Stir in the basil just before serving.

Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

These lettuce wraps are great for all kinds of healthy diets. They are moderate in carbs, low in fat and calories, gluten-free, and paleo. They are also really delicious and easy to make.

The recipe serves four. It keeps refrigerated for up to three days (unassembled), and it doesn't freeze well.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 3 peaches, pitted and chopped
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 8 large pieces butter lettuce
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil on medium-high until it shimmers.
2. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft, about four minutes.
3. Add the peaches and shrimp. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp is pink, about three minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until it is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Add the bourbon, cayenne, cinnamon, and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, for one minute more.
6. Serve with the shrimp spooned into the lettuce leaves. Top with parsley for garnish if you wish.

Grilled Shrimp With Mango Salsa

This simple meal is perfect for the summer. You can also use an indoor grill or grill pan to get the desired result. This is a low-fat, low-calorie recipe and is healthy for people on a clean eating, gluten-free, or paleo diet.

The recipe serves four. Leftovers will keep for about three days in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

• Juice of 3 limes, divided
• Zest of 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt, divided
• 1 1/2 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 mangos, cut into cubes
• 1/2 red onion, minced
• 1 jalapeño chili, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the juice of two limes, the lime zest, the Dijon mustard, the garlic, the olive oil, the cayenne, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt.
2. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Marinade the shrimp for 15 minutes.
3. Thread the shrimp onto soaked wooden skewers.
4. Heat your grill to medium-high. Oil the grate with olive oil.
5. Grill the shrimp until it is pink, about two minutes per side.
6. In a small bowl, mix the mangos, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt, and the juice of one lime.
7. Serve the shrimp with the salsa on the side.

Shrimp Ceviche

Ceviche is a light, fresh, and healthy dish. It is low in carbs, high in protein, and low in fat and calories. It is traditionally served chilled. You'll notice the shrimp isn't cooked - but the lime juice cures and "cooks" the shrimp.

The recipe serves four. It doesn't freeze well, but it will keep for two days in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds very fresh shrimp meat, chilled and chopped
• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
• 1 serrano chili, minced
• 1/2 red onion, minced
• 2 heirloom tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp and lime juice, stirring to mix well. Allow the shrimp to cook in the lime juice for 15 minutes.
2. Add the remaining ingredients. Toss to combine.
3. Serve immediately.

Easy, Healthy Meals

Shrimp is easy to cook, delicious, and it is a key ingredient in many healthy meals. Try these healthy shrimp recipes as part of your healthy eating plan.