40 shrimp appetizer recipes

Shrimp Cocktail with Fresh Avocado and Mango Salsa

Crisp grilled prawns glazed with lemongrass and ginger meet julienned green mango tossed in a tangy Thai dressing. Every bite balances bright lime, crunchy peanuts, and fresh herbs.

Curried shrimp toasts top toasted baguette with chopped shrimp in curry, mango chutney, and a soy-spiked mayo. Make-ahead-friendly cocktail party hors d'oeuvres.

Broiled crab melts on Melba toast rounds with lime, green onion, and hot mustard, topped with bubbling Swiss cheese. A two-bite appetizer for parties, ready in 20 minutes.

Mexican shrimp cocktail with lime-poached shrimp, avocado, jalapeno, tomato, cilantro, and carrots in a concentrated lime-garlic broth. Served chilled on lettuce.

Ebi kimizushi: elegant Japanese stuffed-prawn sushi, with butterflied vinegar-marinated prawns filled with a silky, seasoned golden egg-yolk paste. A refined, bite-sized appetizer.

Shrimp stuffed mushrooms with tarragon, cracker crumbs, and a buttered breadcrumb topping baked golden. A classic seafood appetizer that fills 24 caps in 35 minutes.

Having a few guests over for dinner? Serve these delicious snacks that will have people sending compliments to the chef!

Deep-fried ginger shrimp in a light batter with garlic, chili sauce, and whipped egg white. Crispy, golden, and served with the tail on for easy dipping.

Crispy phyllo bundles filled with curried shrimp, coconut, chopped peanuts, yogurt, and chutney. Makes 24 golden bite-sized appetizers. Freezer-friendly, so you can bake them straight from frozen for easy entertaining.

Homemade siopao steamed dumplings stuffed with a savory shrimp, ground pork, and water chestnut filling. Makes 30 pillowy buns from scratch, street-food style.

Crispy fried wontons stuffed with pork, shrimp, and napa cabbage, pan-fried in peanut oil and glazed with teriyaki. Served with a sweet orange marmalade dipping sauce.

Layered avocado terrine with Dijon mustard and whipped cream, sliced and served with poached shrimp and a fresh basil tomato cream sauce. A showstopping chilled appetizer for special occasions.

Lemon-marinated shrimp and thick mushroom slices threaded on picks with a tangy tarragon-Dijon dressing. A low-fat party appetizer ready in 15 minutes.

Crispy coconut-crusted jumbo shrimp fried golden and served with a tangy pineapple cocktail dipping sauce. This Hawaiian-style appetizer is ready in 20 minutes and feeds a crowd.

Classic cocktail sauce with horseradish heat, tangy ketchup, and fresh lemon for shrimp or crawfish. This bold, zesty sauce balances sweet tomato with sharp horseradish bite and works for any cold seafood platter.