Slow Cooker Party Shrimp

I love shrimp. Boiled peel-and-eat shrimp loaded with Old Bay flavor are my favorite. All I need is a bit of spicy cocktail sauce and I’m ready to go. I thought I’d try something new this time instead of boiling shrimp in spices. I thought I’d try slow cooker party shrimp. And wow! Perfectly cooked shrimp, tender and moist, about as hassle-free as you can possibly get. This is absolutely the easiest way to cook up a big batch of shrimp for a party.

Slow Cooker Party Shrimp

You can cook these slow cooker party shrimp ahead of time and chill them to serve them cold, or let your guests grab the shrimp right out of the slow cooker. Well, using tongs would probably be a good idea.

I used 20-24 count wild caught Gulf shrimp for this dish. I prefer Gulf shrimp, and I prefer wild and not farm-raised. Gulf shrimp that have been living in the wilds cannot be beat. That’s why I also use them in my shrimpin’ dippin’ broth.

Also make a batch of my refried bean dip in your slow cooker. It’s another great party dish.

Slow Cooker Party Shrimp
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Party Shrimp

This is absolutely the easiest way to cook up a big batch of shrimp for a party.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, shrimp, slow cooker
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings 16 servings
Calories 114kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into a slow cooker.
  • Add enough water to cover the shrimp.
  • Cook on high for 2 hours or until the shrimp are pink and done.
  • Serve hot, warm or cold with cocktail sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 286mg | Sodium: 1317mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I really should’ve listened to my inner voice. You know the one. The one that says “You should make a double batch of these bacon-wrapped shrimp on the Char-Broil Big Easy“. But I didn’t listen. I fired up my cooker and made just one batch. One little ole batch. I knew as soon as the bacon started cooking that I was in a for a treat. In almost no time I was enjoying hot, tender, moist shrimp wrapped in tasty bacon, seasoned with my favorite Fire-Eater rub, dipped in a cool remoulade sauce. You can’t beat it.

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Darn near anything wrapped in bacon is good. Bacon-wrapped shrimp and cooked on the Char-Broil Big Easy is crazy good. Try my bacon-wrapped appetizer sausages. Or bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts. And of course, bacon-wrapped tater tots.

Stainless steel oyster shells are great for cooking shrimp on the Big Easy. Try my BBQ shrimp, you’ll love them!

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp on the Char-Broil Big Easy
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5 from 1 vote

Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I really should’ve listened to my inner voice. You know the one. The one that says “You should make a double batch of these bacon-wrapped shrimp.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, Big Easy, Char-Broil, shirmp
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 110kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 4 bacon 1 slice for every 3 shrimp
  • 12 shrimp shelled and deveined (I was able to cook 12 24-30 count shrimp at a time in the bottom of the Big Easy basket)
  • Your favorite seasoning I used our Fire-Eater Rub
  • Remoulade sauce for dipping (try our spicy Creole remoulade)

Instructions

  • Stick the bacon into the freezer for 15 minutes to make it easier to slice.
  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Slice the bacon into thirds and wrap around the shrimp.
  • Sprinkle the shrimp with the seasoning and place into the Big Easy basket.
  • Cook in the Big Easy for 20 minutes for large shrimp. Do not overcook or the shrimp will get tough.
  • Remove and let cool for 10 minutes to help crisp up the bacon.
  • Serve with remoulade sauce for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 286mg | Potassium: 58mg | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Southern Fried Shrimp

These southern fried shrimp are darned good shrimp. I love shrimp, cooked any way you can imagine. Fried or boiled are my favorites. One of my favorite ways to devour shrimp is on a po boy sandwich. Tender with just a bit of coating and plenty of spicy flavor, I cannot stop devouring them shrimp after shrimp. I was already a borderline shrimp addict before these came along.

Southern Fried Shrimp

If you can’t find Tony Cachere’s fish fry in your grocery store you can use other fish fry mixes or just substitute all-purpose flour that has been seasoned with salt and pepper. You want the good stuff for these southern fried shrimp.

If I’m cooking for a crowd, I’ll break out my big deep fryer. But, if it’s just the two of us, I’ll fire up my Fry Daddy fryer. It’s the perfect size for both of us. It fries everything perfectly. And as an added bonus, it doesn’t use a lot of oil, which saves me money.

Also try my copycat of Applebee’s Sriracha shrimp, Bayou fried shrimp, coconut fried shrimp and my copycat of Bonefish Grill’s Bang Bang shrimp. Did I mention how much I love fried shrimp?

Southern Fried Shrimp
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5 from 1 vote

Southern Fried Shrimp

These southern fried shrimp are darned good shrimp. I love shrimp, cooked any way you can imagine.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword crispy, deep-fried, shirmp, southern
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 3 pounds
Calories 563kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place shrimp into a resealable container or baggie.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the buttermilk and mustard.
  • Pour mixture in with the shrimp, seal, and shake gently to coat.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Whisk together the fish fry mix and cayenne.
  • Heat 3″ of oil in a Dutch oven to 325 F.
  • Working in batches, remove shrimp from container. Shake off excess marinade then transfer to the fry mix. Roll and coat. Shake off an excess coating and place in hot oil.
  • Fry shrimp 1 1/2 minutes per side then transfer to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or on a po boy.

Nutrition

Calories: 563kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 98g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1161mg | Sodium: 3750mg | Potassium: 613mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 822IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 847mg | Iron: 10mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Quick Cocktail Sauce

Nothing is better with boiled, steamed or roasted shrimp than a simple cocktail sauce. I could dunk shrimp in this thick tasty quick cocktail sauce all day long. This sauce went perfectly with the Bubba Gump shrimp I made on my Char-Broil Big Easy and my Old Bay Peel’N Eat Shrimp. In the time it took the shrimp to cook I made a big batch of sauce and was eating delicious shrimp in less than 10 minutes.

Quick Cocktail Sauce

Add a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce or a few pinches of red pepper flake for a little kick. I prefer my quick cocktail sauce really cold. I stick it in the freezer for a bit just before serving.

If you prefer to use pre-made cocktail sauce with your shrimp, I can’t recommend Frog Bone’s Bayou Cocktail sauce enough. It combines the flavor of a traditional cocktail sauce with Cajun seasonings. It’s outstanding!

This sauce is also great for dipping crispy fried shrimp.

Quick Cocktail Sauce
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5 from 1 vote

Quick Cocktail Sauce

Nothing is better with boiled, steamed or roasted shrimp than a simple cocktail sauce. I could dunk shrimp in this thick tasty quick cocktail sauce all day long. 
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword cocktail, quick fix, sauce
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 374kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Whisk together the chili sauce, horseradish and lemon juice.
  • Season with black pepper, to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4409mg | Potassium: 1468mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 1861IU | Vitamin C: 94mg | Calcium: 156mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Palta Rellena

It seems like a hundred years since I lived in Lima, Peru. And although some of the memories of my years there have faded, my memories of the food have not. One of my favorites was (and is) palta rellena. Avocados stuffed with anything from ceviche to ham to tuna salad. I found this great variation on the classic over on Peru Delights, a wonderful site dedicate to all foods Peruvian. The avocado is smashed into a creamy guacamole, then topped with a mixture of shrimp, onion, tomato, and olives mixed with fresh lime juice. Drizzled with a fantastic sauce of aji amarillo, mayo and ketchup.

Palta Rellena

Aji amarillo has a fantastic fruity, spicy flavor. Not too hot, but not totally tame either. If you can’t find it just add a few squirts of Sriracha hot sauce instead. But for authentic palta rellena it’s worth going out of your way to get aji amarillo.

Also try my tropical shrimp salad.

Palta Rellena
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5 from 1 vote

Palta Rellena

Avocado is smashed into a creamy guacamole, then topped with a mixture of shrimp, onion, tomato, and olives mixed with fresh lime juice. Drizzled with a fantastic sauce of aji amarillo, mayo and ketchup.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword avocado, Peruvian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 296kcal

Ingredients

For the guacamole

  • 1 avocado
  • Kosher salt freshly ground black pepper and lemon juice, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic minced

For the salad

For the drizzle

For the garnish

  • parsley chopped

Instructions

For the guacamole

  • Mash together the avocado and salt, pepper and lemon juice.
  • Spoon mixture onto plates, or into a small metal ring (I used a large round cookie cutter) and mash down to the bottom. Make a slight indentation into the middle for the salad.

For the salad

  • Combine the shrimp, tomato, onion and olives.
  • Season and add lemon juice to taste.
  • Spoon onto avocado mixture.

For the drizzle

  • Whisk together all ingredients and drizzle over the salads.
  • Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 636mg | Potassium: 653mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 444IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Mango-Basil Dipping Sauce

I love using cocktail sauce for dipping boiled or grilled shrimp. When I don’t make my own I grab a bottle or two of cocktail sauce at the store. But there are times when you want something different. A different flavor than cocktail sauce, something fruity. Something without horseradish.

Mango-Basil Dipping Sauce

This mango-basil dipping sauce is different. It has a fantastic tropical flavor, making it perfect for shrimp.

You can make other variations of this great mango-basil dipping sauce simply by substituting other fruits for the mango, such as papaya or pineapple. If you want a little kick to your sauce, add a bit of hot sauce (preferably something fruity, like a habanero sauce) or even some red pepper flake. You can use different flavored hot sauces too, to come up with totally new versions of this dipping sauce. Cholula, one of my favorite hot sauces, makes this 5-pack that has all sorts of different flavored sauces.

These little sauce dipping cups are great for serving this sauce. They’re easy to clean up, too. And they’re also great for dipping nuggets, tenders or even chicken wings.

For the shrimp, I made a batch of copycat Bubba Gump shrimp on my Char-Broil Big Easy.

Also try my Delta Dippin’ sauce. It’s mighty yummy too!

Mango-Basil Dipping Sauce
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4 from 1 vote

Mango-Basil Dipping Sauce

This mango-basil dipping sauce is different. It has a fantastic tropical flavor, making it perfect for shrimp.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword dipping sauce, fruity, herbs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 267kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1169mg | Potassium: 799mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 58g | Vitamin A: 4499IU | Vitamin C: 179mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Delta Shrimp

The sauce on these slow cooker Delta shrimp is absolutely incredible. It’s another example of how simple Cajun-inspired ingredients can produce a fantastic dish. Although I used large Louisiana shrimp, you can easily substitute sliced Andouille  sausage or chopped chicken pieces.

Slow Cooker Delta Shrimp

The original recipe for slow cooker Delta shrimp called for fresh, diced tomatoes, which are definitely not in season here right now. So I substituted the next-best-thing: canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes. They add much more flavor to the sauce than just ‘regular ole’ tomatoes. I recommend substituting fire-roasted tomatoes into any dish that calls for tomatoes if you can’t find fresh.

Also try my slow cooker Delta sausage.

Slow Cooker Delta Shrimp
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Delta Shrimp

The sauce on these slow cooker Delta shrimp is absolutely incredible. It’s another example of how simple Cajun-inspired ingredients can produce a fantastic dish.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, shrimp, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 519kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large saute pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion and celery and cook until starting to soften.
  • Stir in the flour and allow to thicken.
  • Slowly add the water and stir.
  • Pour mixture into a slow cooker set to low.
  • Add the remaining ingredients except for the shrimp. Stir and cook for 3 1/2 hours. If the sauce gets too thick add a bit more water and stir.
  • Add the shrimp and cook 30 more minutes.
  • Serve over hot cooked rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 519kcal | Carbohydrates: 83g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 301mg | Sodium: 3844mg | Potassium: 3481mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 3449IU | Vitamin C: 185mg | Calcium: 722mg | Iron: 19mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Copycat Applebee’s Sriracha Shrimp

We recently grabbed a quick lunch at the Applebee’s in Springfield, Ohio, meeting up with some old friends before heading over to one of our favorite places, the Heart of Ohio Antique Center. We knew we could rely on Applebee’s for good food and a nice environment to sit and chat for a bit. I decided to have an appetizer, so I ordered the Sriracha shrimp. As soon as I bit into one I knew I was going to make a copycat Applebee’s Sriracha shrimp when I got home.

Copycat Applebee's Sriracha Shrimp

Lightly battered shrimp, lightly fried, then tossed in a great Sriracha mayonnaise sauce. This is exactly as I remember except I left the Sriracha sauce on the side for dipping.

The nice thing about keeping the sauce on the side is that these copycat Applebee’s Sriracha shrimp stay nice and lightly crunchy, instead of getting a bit soggy when covered in the sauce. You can serve it whichever way you like, of course. I also used larger shrimp because… I love shrimp.

Also try my copycats of Applebee’s fantastic Buffalo wings and peppercorn and garlic shrimp and (the new defunct) Joe’s Crab Shack popcorn shrimp.

Copycat Applebee's Sriracha Shrimp
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4 from 1 vote

Copycat Applebee’s Sriracha Shrimp

Lightly battered shrimp, lightly fried, then tossed in a great Sriracha mayonnaise sauce. This is exactly as I remember except I left the Sriracha sauce on the side for dipping.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword copycat, shrimp, spicy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 222kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

For the shrimp

For the Sriracha dipping sauce

Instructions

For the shrimp

  • Preheat 1/2″ of oil in a Dutch oven to 350 F.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, cayenne and garlic powder.
  • Whisk in the club soda until smooth.
  • Add the shrimp to the batter and coat well on all sides.
  • Shake off excess batter and add to hot oil.
  • Fry shrimp 3 minutes, then flip and fry another 2 minutes.
  • Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Serve with dipping sauce on the side.

For the Sriracha dipping sauce

  • Whisk together all ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 194mg | Sodium: 907mg | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 46IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Old Bay Peel ‘N Eat Shrimp

If you are within 500 miles of Augusta, Georgia, do not make these Old Bay peel ‘N eat shrimp. Instead, get in your car and drive to Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar and order a batch of their spicy boiled shrimp. If you’re like me and a drive to Rhinehart’s is a bit out of the question, make these shrimp. They’re mighty close to tasting like the ones at Rhinehart’s, but for the real deal, you need to make the journey.

Old Bay Peel N Eat Shrimp

I could eat these Old Bay Peel ‘N Eat Shrimp all day long. Hot or cold, it doesn’t matter to me. With cocktail sauce. With clarified butter. Or by themselves. I don’t care, just get me a basket of shrimp.

I recommend that you not be shy with the Old Bay when you sprinkle the cooked shrimp just before serving. If you’re a big fan of Old Bay like I am you’ll want as much of that great flavor on your shrimp as you can get. I go nuts with it. There’s no such thing as too much of it for me.

I served these shrimp with my quick and easy cocktail sauce.

Also try my grilled Old Bay crab legs!

Old Bay Peel 'N Eat Shrimp
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4.34 from 3 votes

Old Bay Peel ‘N Eat Shrimp

I could eat these Old Bay Peel ‘N Eat Shrimp all day long. Hot or cold, it doesn’t matter to me. With cocktail sauce. With clarified butter. Or by themselves. I don’t care, just get me a basket of shrimp.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Old Bay, shrimp
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 134kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the vinegar, water, 1/3 cup of the Old Bay seasoning, garlic and peppercorns in a large pot.
  • Bring to a rapid boil over medium high heat.
  • Add the shrimp. Cover and cook 2-4 minutes or until the shrimp are pink. Do not over cook.
  • Drain shrimp but do not rinse.
  • Transfer shrimp to a large bowl. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons (or more) of Old Bay and toss gently to coat.
  • Serve with cocktail sauce and clarified butter, if desired, for dipping. These shrimp are also great cold.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 286mg | Sodium: 896mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 88IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 211mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Shrimpin’ Dippin’ Broth

Wow. My wife and I both agree, shrimpin’ dippin broth is one of the best dishes we’ve ever made. Of course the shrimp are great by themselves. But it’s the dipping broth that is beyond fantastic. You could just drink it by itself, but it’s best sopped up with a warm baguette or poured over rice. This reminds me of a shrimp boil but it is oh so much better.

Shrimpin’ Dippin’ Broth

The rich combination of Worcestershire sauce, bouillon and clam juice are great. A light squeeze of lemon adds a fresh citrus kick. Shrimpin’ dippin’ broth is a meal you’ll make over and over. And it’s easy to throw together too!

I like to use my good ole trusty Dutch oven to make this dish and pretty much darned near anything like it on my stovetop. It’s nice and big and sturdy. That extra weight helps it maintain and distribute heat perfectly. As an added bonus, it’s actually pretty easy to clean up too!

Also try my restaurant-style peel-and-eat shrimp.

Shrimpin’ Dippin’ Broth
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5 from 1 vote

Shrimpin’ Dippin’ Broth

Shrimpin’ dippin broth is one of the best dishes we’ve ever made.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword dipping sauce, shrimp
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 795kcal

Ingredients

For the broth

For the shrimp

Instructions

For the broth

  • Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add the pepper, Cajun seasoning and garlic. Stir and let cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to keep warm until you are ready to serve.

For the shrimp

  • Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the Worcestershire sauce, pepper, Cajun seasoning, garlic, and shrimp. Stir and cook shrimp until pink and done, 2-3 minutes.
  • Serve shrimp with broth in bowls with rice, bread and lemon wedges on the side. You’ll find that you might want to just add the rice to the broth and shrimp mixture, or eat everything separately while dipping the bread into the broth. Whatever works for you!

Nutrition

Calories: 795kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 59g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 609mg | Sodium: 3019mg | Potassium: 589mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1606IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 471mg | Iron: 10mg

Nutritional values are approximate.