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    Home » Main Courses

    Red Pepper Shrimp

    Published: Oct 22, 2023 by Cristina · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Red pepper shrimp is a zesty, sweet and smoky dish that's ready in just a few minutes.

    Closeup of a pile of red pepper shrimp on creamy polenta with a dollop of roasted garlic aioli

    Garlic butter shrimp is a classic but shrimp with red pepper sauce adds a bit of extra zing and flavor to the regular.

    This recipe features all the flavors you'd normally expect with shrimp (garlic, butter, a bit of chili and some herby notes from the dried oregano) plus the addition of red pepper sauce.

    The red pepper sauce adds a zesty, sweet and creamy element to the shrimp. Great served over rice or creamy polenta as shown here.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Serving Suggestion
    • Related
    • Related
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for red pepper shrimp.
    • Peeled and deveined shrimp
    • Red pepper sauce: you can use a premade red pepper paste like Ajvar or you can make your own by blending marinated roasted red pepper with heavy cream to make a sauce. See recipe card for details.
    • Butter
    • Garlic
    • Heavy cream
    • Seasoning: Salt, chili flakes, smoked paprika and dried oregano.
    • Fresh herbs: parsley and basil

    Please see recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    This red pepper shrimp is simple and quick to make. After drying and seasoning the shrimp, you only need to cook it in a hot skillet for about 5 minutes.

    The shrimp is ready when it's brightened in color and started to contract. Be sure not to overcook or it will get rubbery.

    Drying the shrimp with paper towel before cooking.

    Dry the shrimp well using paper towel or a clean, lint-free kitchen cloth.

    The raw shrimp in a bowl with seasoning and butter sprinkled on top.

    Season the shrimp with the dry seasonings.

    The seasoned shrimp being added to a pan with garlic butter.

    Start cooking some garlic in butter in the skillet and then add the shrimp.

    The seasoned shrimp cooking in a skillet with the red pepper sauce just added.

    Sauté the shrimp on high heat for 3-4 minutes then add the red pepper sauce and sauté another 3-4 minutes. Finish with fresh herbs and more heavy cream if desired.

    Equipment

    A non-stick skillet or otherwise a well seasoned cast iron or stainless steel skillet.

    Storage

    Can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat either microwave for 1-2 minutes or reheat in a skillet with a few tablespoons of liquid like cream or butter.

    Serving Suggestion

    The photos in this post show the red pepper shrimp served with creamy roasted garlic and parmesan polenta and a dollop of roasted garlic and parmesan aioli.

    You can also try pairing it with other proteins, for example like the take on surf and turf below featuring prosciutto wrapped pork tenderloin with pistachio and red pepper.

    a plate of creamy polenta with prosciutto wrapped pork tenderloin, red pepper shrimp and roasted garlic parmesan aioli

    Related

    Looking for side dish recipes to go with this dish? Try these:

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      Chicken Liver Pilaf with Dill (Pilaf cu Ficăței de Pui)
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    • An overhead view of polenta in a bowl with a block of parmesan cheese and garlic bulbs in the background.
      Creamy Parmesan Polenta with Roasted Garlic

    Related

    Looking for more inspiration for main courses? Try these:

    • sliced prosciutto covered meatloaf with carrots in roasting pan after cooking
      Prosciutto Wrapped Parmesan Meatloaf with Crispy Sage
    • Hoisin meatballs in a skillet in sauce with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
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    • A plate of cooked potato stew with peas and smoked ham along with a slice of bread.
      Potato Stew with Peas and Ham Hocks
    • prosciutto wrapped pork tenderloin sliced on a plate overtop creamy polenta
      Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Pistachio & Red Pepper

    Recipe

    Closeup of a pile of red pepper shrimp on creamy polenta with a dollop of roasted garlic aioli

    Red Pepper Shrimp

    Red pepper shrimp is a zesty, sweet and smoky dish that's ready in just a few minutes.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, European
    Keyword: Seafood, Shrimp
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 18 minutes minutes
    Servings: 3 servings
    Calories: 387kcal

    Ingredients

    • 600 grams shrimp peeled and deveined
    • 4 tablespoons butter divided
    • 0.25 cup roasted red pepper or substitute same amount Ajvar
    • 4 tablespoons heavy cream plus or minus
    • 3 cloves garlic peeled and mashed, minced or sliced
    • 0.5 teaspoon salt or to taste
    • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 0.5 teaspoon dried chili flakes
    • 4 tablespoons fresh parsley finely diced
    • 2 tablespoons fresh basil finely diced
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    • Pat the shrimp dry using paper towel.
    • Finely dice the herbs. If making your own red pepper paste, then blend up the roasted red pepper in a blender or food processor with the heavy cream.
    • Season the shrimp with the dry seasonings and 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
    • Heat the remaining butter in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the garlic and sauté until aromatic and starting to sizzle.
    • Add the shrimp and turn the heat to high. Toss in the hot skillet for 3-4 minutes or until beginning to turn red and get smaller.
    • Add the red pepper paste and the rest of the garlic. If using Ajvar then add the Ajvar and the heavy cream.
    • Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, for another 4 minutes.
    • After 4 minutes if the sauce has reduced to the point of drying out then add a bit more cream before turning off the heat.
    • Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 385mg | Sodium: 921mg | Potassium: 653mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1791IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 190mg | Iron: 2mg

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    Hi, I'm Cristina and I love creating special moments through food, whether it's a dinner party or a regular weeknight. This is where I share my recipes and tips to help you make well-executed dishes with a creative flourish that will delight your loved ones and leave you with lasting memories around the table.

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