Keto Shrimp Recipes! 🍤 (Easy!)

What is Keto Shrimp?

Keto shrimp is a fantastic food. It is a perfect fit for the keto diet. Shrimp is a true superstar. 🌟 Why is it so perfect? It is a pure protein source. Let's look at the nutrition. Plain, cooked shrimp has:

Zero Carbohydrates (0g)
Zero Sugar (0g)
Lots of Protein

This means shrimp is 100% safe for ketosis. It will not spike your blood sugar. It will not stop fat-burning. It is one of the "safest" foods you can eat.

The "Shrimp Problem" (The Keto Paradox) 🧐

This is the most important part of this guide. You must understand this. The ketogenic diet is a HIGH-FAT diet. Your goal is ~70% of your calories from fat. Fat is your new fuel. 🔥 But shrimp... shrimp is a LEAN PROTEIN. It has almost ZERO FAT. This is the paradox. A big bowl of plain, steamed shrimp... ...is NOT a keto meal. 🚫 It is a "high-protein, low-fat" meal. (Like a 1990s diet). ( This meal will not keep you full. It will not help you hit your fat macros. It is not a good keto meal. The Solution is Simple: You must use shrimp as a "vehicle." A vehicle for FAT. 🥑🧈 The secret to keto shrimp... ...is what you cook it with. And what you serve it with. You must add fat back in.

The "Forbidden" List (The Keto-Killers) 🚫

First, let's look at the traps. These are the common, non-keto shrimp dishes. They will kick you right out of ketosis. Avoid these at all costs.

Trap 1: Breading (Flour & Breadcrumbs)

This is the most obvious enemy. Any "crispy" shrimp is a trap.

Popcorn Shrimp: Coated in flour or cornmeal. Not keto. N
Coconut Shrimp: 🥥 A double-trap! It is coated in flour and sweet coconut flakes. Not keto. N
Shrimp Scampi (Restaurant): Often topped with breadcrumbs. Ask for "no breadcrumbs." A

Trap 2: Sugary Sauces (The Hidden Carbs) 🍯

This is the sneakiest trap. Shrimp is often paired with sweet sauces.

Cocktail Sauce: 🍅 Never eat this. It is a "sugar sauce." It is mostly ketchup and corn syrup. (1/4 cup = 20g carbs!). (
Sweet Chili Sauce: This is also liquid sugar. (15-20g carbs). (Avoid it. A
BBQ Sauce: Also sugar. Avoid it. A
Teriyaki Sauce: Made with sugar and soy sauce. Very high-carb. V

Trap 3: The High-Carb Pairings

How is shrimp often served? On a bed of carbs.

Shrimp Scampi with Pasta: Pasta is 100% banned. 🍝
Shrimp and Rice: Rice is 100% banned. 🍚
Shrimp Po' Boy: Bread is 100% banned. 🍞
Shrimp Tacos: Flour and corn tortillas are banned. (Use a lettuce wrap). (

The Keto Shrimp "Toolkit" (The Safe Fats) ✅

This is your new "safe list." This is how we add the fat. This is how we make shrimp a real keto meal.

Butter (Grass-Fed): 🧈 This is the #1 choice. Garlic butter is the king of keto shrimp. It is your new best friend. I
Olive Oil (Extra Virgin): 🫒 Use this for flavor. Use it for dressings (like in a salad). U
Avocado Oil: This is your high-heat cooking oil. It is perfect for a hot stir-fry. I
Avocado: 🥑 The perfect pairing. (Shrimp & avocado salad). (This is a fat-and-fiber superstar. T
Heavy Cream & Cheese: 🧀 For making rich, creamy, keto sauces. (Like a Tuscan shrimp). (Parmesan cheese is a perfect, low-carb choice. P
Mayonnaise (Avocado Oil): For making a cold, high-fat shrimp salad. (e.g., Primal Kitchen or Sir Kensington's). (
Bacon: 🥓 (Bacon-wrapped shrimp). (This is the ultimate keto combo. It is protein wrapped in fat. Perfect. P

Keto Shrimp Recipes (The "How-To") 🧑‍🍳

Here are 4 easy, fast, high-fat keto shrimp recipes. These will become your new weekly staples.

Recipe 1: The Classic Keto Shrimp Scampi 🧄

This is a 10-minute meal. It is a perfect fat-bomb. The swap is the pasta. We swap pasta for zucchini noodles ("zoodles"). Ingredients:

1 lb Large Shrimp (peeled, deveined)
4 tbsp Grass-Fed Butter 🧈
2 tbsp Olive Oil
5-6 cloves Garlic, minced
\frac{1{4 cup Chicken Broth (or white wine)
1 Lemon, juiced 🍋
A big handful of Fresh Parsley, chopped
(Optional: 2 tbsp Heavy Cream. This makes it very rich).
(Optional: \frac{1{4 cup Parmesan cheese).
2-3 large Zucchini (for your "zoodles")

Instructions: Step 1: Prep the Zoodles. Use a spiralizer to make zoodles. Place them in a colander. Sprinkle with salt. Let them "sweat" for 15 minutes. Then, pat them very dry with paper towels. Wet zoodles make a watery sauce! Step 2: Cook the Shrimp. Get a large skillet. Heat the 2 tbsp of olive oil. (Medium-high heat). ( Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side. Do not overcook them! They get rubbery. When they are pink, remove them from the pan. Set them aside. Step 3: Make the Sauce. In the same pan, lower the heat to medium. Add the 4 tbsp of butter. Melt it. Add the 5-6 cloves of minced garlic. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Do not let the garlic burn. (It gets bitter). ( Step 4: Combine. Pour in the chicken broth. Let it bubble. Now, add your dry zoodles. Toss them in the sauce for 2 minutes. DO NOT overcook the zoodles! They should be "al dente." Soggy zoodles are sad. Step 5: Finish. Add the cooked shrimp back in. Add the (optional) heavy cream. Add the (optional) parmesan. Toss for 1 minute. Turn off the heat. Add the fresh lemon juice. And the big handful of fresh parsley. Toss and serve immediately. This is a 10/10 keto meal.

Recipe 2: Creamy Garlic Tuscan Shrimp 🍅

This is a super-rich, decadent, high-fat meal. It is pure comfort food. Ingredients:

1 lb Shrimp
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tbsp Butter
\frac{1{2 cup Heavy Cream 🧀
\frac{1{2 cup Parmesan Cheese
\frac{1{4 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes (in oil, drained & chopped)
2-3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 large handful of Fresh Spinach

Instructions: Step 1: Cook the Shrimp. In a skillet, heat the oil and butter. Cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side. Remove them from the pan. Set them aside. Step 2: Start the Sauce. In the same pan, add the garlic. Sauté for 1 minute. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1 more minute. Step 3: Build the Cream. Add the 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Add the 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Whisk it. Let it bubble gently. It will thicken. (About 3-4 minutes). ( Step 4: Add Mix-ins. Add the big handful of fresh spinach. Stir it in. The spinach will wilt in 60 seconds. Step 5: Finish. Add the cooked shrimp back in. Toss to coat. Let them heat through. (1-2 minutes). (Serve hot. How to Serve: Serve this over cauliflower rice. Or cauliflower mash. Or with a side of roasted asparagus. It is so rich and filling.

Recipe 3: Easy Keto Shrimp & Avocado Salad 🥑

This is a no-cook, fast, perfect keto lunch. It is fresh and light. Ingredients:

1 lb Pre-Cooked Shrimp (peeled, tail-off)
1 large Avocado, diced
\frac{1{2 Red Onion, finely diced
\frac{1{4 cup Cilantro, chopped
2-3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Lime, juiced (or 2 tbsp)
1/2 Jalapeño, minced (optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions: Step 1: Combine. In a big bowl, add the cooked shrimp. (Chop them if they are large). ( Add the diced avocado. Add the diced red onion. And the cilantro/jalapeño. Step 2: Make the Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Step 3: Toss. Pour the dressing over the shrimp mixture. Toss gently. Do not smash the avocado! You want lovely chunks. Step 4: Serve. Serve it cold. You can eat it with a spoon. Or you can serve it in lettuce cups. (Butter lettuce is best). (This is a perfect, high-fat, no-cook meal.

Recipe 4: Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp (The Appetizer) 🥓

The ultimate keto party food. It is pure fat and protein. It is a crowd-pleaser. Ingredients: