What to cook? You look at your kitchen counter, blank as an artist’s canvas.

You start to run through the ingredients in your cupboards and freezer, seeking inspiration.

Luckily, as you explore, you find some of Texas Gold’s wild-caught Jumbo shrimp.

Things are looking up.

From the best ingredients for shrimp dishes to some unusual seafood pairings, we have divulged our top flavor infusion techniques, each one crafted to bring out the natural succulent freshness of Gulf Shrimp and help you cook a delicious meal with some effortless shrimp seasoning options.

So, wash those hands, and let’s get started!

The Perfect Shrimp

The first step is to make sure your shrimp is perfectly cooked. Whether you’re asking how to grill shrimp or perhaps how to boil them, the difference between a well-cooked shrimp and an overcooked shrimp is a hair’s breadth.

But, when you master it, you unlock a cascade of succulent texture and rich sea salt flavor.

Here are 3 quick tips to help you know when shrimp is cooked:

1. Cook until the shrimp turns from grey and translucent to opaque pink.
2. Ensure they’ve curled into their classic “C” shape.
3. Take them off the heat slightly before they’re done (as they keep cooking for a little while).

Following these steps will give you the perfect plate every time.

Now let’s look at some of our chef-inspired shrimp recipes and see which ones might make it to the table tonight!

1. The Classic Mediterranean Shrimp Recipe: Garlic & Lemon

Regarding Mediterranean shrimp recipes, this flavor pairing is like Mount Olympus. The first thing you notice about this dish is the smell — the fragrant punch of the sautéed garlic and the high, fresh citrus of the lemon.

This recipe is unbelievably simple but packs amazing flavor – cut your garlic into larger chunks and let them brown off in your oil (this won’t take long). Then add your shrimp and cook for a few minutes. Keep the flavor of your lemon juice by only adding at the last minute. Then, salt and pepper to taste.

Want to add a restaurant-style sauce? Remove the shrimp and add a splash of white wine to the pan. Reduce, take off the heat, and add butter.

Now it’s a Mediterranean dish worthy of the name.

2. Bona Fide French Bistro: Butter & White Wine Sauce

This is a simple sauce for shrimp. Building on our butter and wine combination, it’s a recipe guaranteed to impress even the most surly Parisian waiter.

Choose a dry white wine, such as Chablis or Sancerre, and reduce it over the heat. Once you’ve lost around half of the moisture, add butter and whisk.

Patience is a virtue; eventually, it becomes a silky, rich sauce with the perfect acid level to cut through the natural sweetness of your wild-caught shrimp.

3. From Coastal Cancun: Mexican Style Chili & Lime

Feel the sea air on your face as you bask in the Mexican sunshine, a gentle guitar melody playing in the distance.

There’s more heat to this recipe than pure sunshine, however. This Mexican shrimp seasoning balances the primordial elements of fire and acid in a beautifully complex dish.

The trick is to use different chilies. Serrano gives a bright, instant heat. Choose Ancho for depth and duration. Then, add some Chipotle for smoky richness.

Add them to a bowl with some olive oil and selected spices (such as garlic and cumin), and add your uncooked shrimp to marinate. Thirty minutes should do the trick.

Then simply sauté your shrimp or grill them.

¡Buen Provecho!

4. Sun-kissed Italian Summer: Tomato & Basil

“The right tomato sings in summer and winter alike”.

This rich Italian-inspired reduction brings sun-drenched flavor from the vines of the Amalfi coast. We suggest cutting San Marzano tomatoes into quarters. Then, simmer them so they release their juices and begin to concentrate—season with salt.

Don’t cut; tear your basil (as this releases more fragrance), and then add your shrimp for a few minutes to cook.

P.S. Nona’s Secret – add a pinch of fennel pollen for a decadent touch and authentic complexity.

5. Thai-Inspired Aromatics: Coconut & Lemongrass

Shrimp are a staple of Thai cuisine, which is great for us because it means we can share this amazing and unique flavor combination. Feel free to play with it, balancing sweetness with spice.

Start with your lemon grass and bruise to release its oils. Add to coconut milk and begin to gently heat (do not boil as this will impair the flavor!). Then add kaffir lime leaves and galangal (or a small amount of ginger). Season with salt or chili to taste.

Then gently poach your shrimp in the broth and serve together or separately – the choice is yours!

As seafood recipes go and despite its simplicity, this aromatic combination is beautifully rich and delightfully impressive.

Did you know that many Asian cultures enjoy shrimp with the shells on because they prefer the flavor?

6. East to West Fusion: Honey & Soy

Simple isn’t always better. But sometimes it is.

Caramelize your honey and reduce it with your soy sauce. The mixture will thicken under gentle heat. Be careful not to burn it, as this will add bitter notes to the dish.

Cook your shrimp and then toss in your glaze. To enhance those exotic shrimp flavors even further, finish with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil, black sesame seeds, and chopped scallions.

7. An Italian-American Influence: Parmesan, Lemon & Parsley

It's an unusual combination. What once turned noses in Rome is now turning heads in New York. This dish uses the tangy umami of aged Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Begin by marinating your shrimp in olive oil and lemon juice. Season well, then coat your shrimp in the parmesan cheese. Grill or sauté your shrimp, then chop up a handful of parsley and sprinkle in a layer over the top.

The complexity of the parmesan adds high notes to the delicate sea flavor of your shrimp, with that burst of citrus acid to balance the fat.

8. Molecular Gastronomy: The Science of Vanilla

It's a bizarre twist but one you simply have to explore. Vanilla and shrimp share certain compounds, giving each slightly nutty, floral note.

While shrimp's principal flavor notes are briny and savory, these compounds act as a bridge, bringing a subtle bloom of sweetness without turning your dish into a desert. This contrasts beautifully with the shrimp's natural umami.

Two things to be aware of here: A tiny amount of vanilla goes a long way. Take your vanilla bean and remove a small portion of the seeds. Then, infuse it with oil or butter for a more delicate taste.

Also, Create a simple infusion by gently heating a split vanilla bean in butter for 30 minutes, then removing it before sauteing your shrimp.

Making Creative Shrimp Dishes

These marinades and sauces are only the foundation for preparing innovative seafood dishes. The beauty of shrimp is that they are a curiosity in the world of protein - bursting with delicate flavor.

This means the best shrimp dishes can use shrimp as the warm-up or the main event. The key is understanding how these flavors interact with each other and with other dishes you might be serving.

Experimentation is key – don’t be afraid to get things wrong. All is forgiven in the pursuit of delicious food.

The only golden rules to cook the best shrimp: keep your heat up high, your cooking times short, and your ingredients fresher than fresh.

How can you tell when Shrimp are Fresh?

Fresh shrimp have a firm texture and glossy shell. If they smell like ammonia, avoid them at all costs.

Wild-caught have a naturally earthier flavor and firmer texture, while farmed shrimp tend to have a less vivid color and milder taste.

Whether frozen to lock in their freshness or caught fresh from the ocean, they are delicate, so they are handled with care when shelling a deveining.

Want to make some mouths water?

Whether you’re looking for BBQ shrimp seasoning or quick shrimp dishes, try out some of our pairings and build your very own plates that will have your family and friends begging to know your signature secret.
Remember, we now offer Super-Collosal Shrimp for those stand-out dishes, and we've expanded our selection of Peeled and Deveined Shrimp to make your preparation in the kitchen easier. 

We always want to see where our wild-caught shrimp end up, so send us a picture of a dish you’re proud of!