53 shrimp appetizer recipes

Peppered seafood sausage: fresh fish, shrimp, jalapeños, and cilantro ground together, stuffed into hog casings, and gently poached. A Southwestern take on fish sausage, bound with egg whites and brightened by cumin and lemon.

Thai hot and sour shrimp soup (Tom Yum Goong) with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chile paste, and straw mushrooms. A bright, aromatic broth built from shrimp shell stock.

Shrimp cheese pate with tiny Danish shrimp, soft cheese, sherry, and black pepper beaten until smooth. A no-cook Scandinavian-style appetizer spread ready in 15 minutes.

Fun gwau: Cantonese steamed dumplings stuffed with pork, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts, all wrapped in translucent wheat-starch wrappers. A dim sum classic.

Otak otak: Southeast Asian fish mousse with a lemongrass-galangal-chili spice paste and coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. Each packet holds a shrimp inside a fragrant, spiced fish paste.

It is an elegant appetizer, shrimp is covered by garlic and lemon, savory and delicious.

Retro avocado-shrimp aspic sets sieved avocado and plump shrimp in a savory gelatin mold with pimiento, Worcestershire, and a dash of hot sauce. Unmold onto lettuce for a stunning vintage appetizer.

Chilled spicy shrimp poached in vinegar, broth, dry mustard, and hot sauce. A make-ahead appetizer with bold tangy heat and clean shrimp flavor.

Tropical ceviche with red snapper and shrimp marinated in lime, orange juice, and passion fruit puree with jalapeno and cilantro. A Latin American showpiece appetizer.

Minced shrimp, bacon, and water chestnuts shaped into bite-sized balls and fried golden in a wok. Crunchy outside, tender inside, these make a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Crispy beer battered shrimp served with a smoky chipotle dipping sauce spiked with soy, ginger, lime, and mirin. A bold fusion appetizer that's ready in 30 minutes.

Australian savoury choux pastry puffs filled with a béchamel-style mixture and salmon, chicken, shrimp or asparagus. Elegant French-inspired party appetizer.

Spicy marinated shrimp for a crowd with 10 pounds of shrimp soaked overnight in olive oil, cider vinegar, capers, and hot sauce. A make-ahead party appetizer that serves 20.

Appetizers have long been a part of the culinary tradition in Europe, but they're relatively new to America. One of the first to appear in American cookbooks, at the turn of the century, was shrimp cocktail.

Broiled lime shrimp with cilantro, jalapeño, and a zippy lime-garlic dressing. Served cool over cucumber slices for a bright low-fat appetizer or light lunch.

Seared butterflied shrimp coated in a caramelized lemon-lime zest crust with jalapeno and white pepper, finished with starfruit, ginger, and a rum pan sauce. A show-stopping tropical appetizer.