If you’re looking for a simple meal that’s nutritious and tasty, try seasoned shrimp. Shrimp are high in protein, low in fat and can be a good source of calcium and iron. They cook quickly, so it’s easy to prepare for a cookout with friends or a family-friendly weeknight meal. Generally, you can cook shrimp in less than eight minutes , but the right seasonings can make or break the meal. Learn about some of the best ways you can season wild-caught U.S. shrimp from Biloxi Shrimp Co.

Spices to Include in a Shrimp Marinade

An easy, hands-off way to prepare shrimp is with a marinade. Marinating just means preparing food for cooking by letting it sit in a seasoned liquid. The most basic marinades can be made with olive oil, salt, pepper, minced garlic and your favorite spices. Some popular spice combinations to include in shrimp marinades include:

• Chipotle and cumin
• Red chili and ginger
• Smoked paprika and garlic
• Honey and lime juice

The flavors intensify over time, so the longer you let the shrimp sit in a marinade, the richer the flavor will be. Just be careful with marinades that have citrus juice, like lemon or orange. The acid in the juices will start to break down the shrimp, so if you marinate them for more than an hour or two, the shrimp could start to become mushy. Generally, shrimp only need to marinate for 30 minutes to be flavorful. Marinated shrimp are perfect on the grill for a light summer meal.

Best Spices for Breaded Shrimp

If you’re baking or frying shrimp, a breaded coating is a great way to season them. This takes a bit more time than marinating, but it’s easy and fun. Combine your preferred seasonings with flour, breadcrumbs or a mix of both to create your bread coating. You can use a pre-mixed herb and spice blend , like Old Bay or Creole seasoning, or whip up your own seasoning mix. Not sure where to start? Try these suggestions:

• For a classic flavor, try black pepper and garlic powder.
• For New England-style shrimp, use Dijon mustard and a little pale ale.
• If you prefer a spicy kick, try cayenne pepper and cumin.

Once you have your spices picked out, simply toss your shrimp in the breading to coat them thoroughly. Fry the coated shrimp in oil, working in batches so that the shrimp don’t stick together. For a low-fat alternative, bake the shrimp in the oven or use an air fryer. Pair fried shrimp with your favorite dipping sauce, such as a rémoulade or a sweet chili sauce.

Simple Seasoning: Shrimp in Garlic Butter Sauce

If you’ve ever had a yummy bowl of shrimp scampi, you’re probably familiar with this seasoning flavor. For a very basic garlic butter sauce , simply mix melted butter with finely minced garlic cloves, Catalina dressing and a packet of seasoning mix. You can sauté fresh or thawed shrimp in the sauce itself, pour the sauce over the shrimp before baking on a sheet pan or just toss cooked shrimp in the prepared sauce. Garlic butter shrimp are delicious served over pasta and roasted vegetables or on a piece of toasted French bread.

Learn More About Seasoning Our Wild-Caught US Shrimp

Of course, the most important ingredients in any shrimp dish are high-quality shrimp. Biloxi Shrimp Co. sources only wild-caught U.S. shrimp and ships everywhere in the continental United States, including Alaska. For more great ways to prepare your shrimp, view our delicious  shrimp recipes.