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Nothing complicated here — this oven baked shrimp recipe is one of the simplest seafood meals you can make! A quick marinade (using ingredients you probably have on hand) creates tender, buttery results similar to stovetop garlic butter shrimp, but more hands-off using the oven instead. Once you make shrimp in the oven, you’ll have the perfect companion for surf and turf or a side of lemon garlic aioli!
Why You’ll Love This Oven Baked Shrimp Recipe
- Buttery, garlicky flavor
- Tender, juicy shrimp (not rubbery!)
- Easy prep (simply marinate and bake)
- Just 5 simple ingredients (plus salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes)
- Cooks in less than 10 minutes, and only 25 minutes total
- No breading needed
- Makes an easy, healthy dinner
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for baked shrimp in the oven what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Shrimp – I used large shrimp, which is typically labeled 31-40. You can make this baked shrimp recipe with other shrimp sizes, but the baking time can vary by a couple of minutes. Get them peeled and deveined, preferably with tails for the best flavor. You can learn more about choosing shrimp in my garlic butter shrimp post. Pat them dry with paper towels, which allows them to absorb more of the marinade and stay more juicy inside when baking.
- Unsalted Butter – Butter adds flavor and helps meld the seasonings together. I use unsalted because it lets me control the salt better, but you could use salted and reduce the amount of added salt by 1/8 teaspoon. You can also use olive oil or avocado oil instead if you prefer.
- Lemon Juice – Helps tenderize the shrimp so they’re not rubbery and masks any “fishy” taste. If you like a lot of lemon flavor, you can add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon lemon zest as well.
- Spices – Including smoked paprika, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder (or jarred minced garlic instead), and crushed red pepper flakes (optional, plus more if you want it spicy).
How To Cook Shrimp In The Oven
This section shows how to bake shrimp, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Mix the seasonings. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Marinate the shrimp. Add shrimp to the bowl and stir to coat. Marinate for 10 minutes.
TIP: Do not marinate shrimp for longer than 30 minutes.
Because the shrimp marinade contains lemon juice, marinating for longer than 30 minutes will turn it into shrimp ceviche.
- Arrange. Place shrimp in a single layer in a large baking dish. Pour any marinade left over in the bowl over the shrimp.
- Bake. Bake shrimp in the oven until opaque. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.
How Long To Bake Shrimp In The Oven?
Bake shrimp in the oven for about 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
You can also broil shrimp instead of baking it — the time is almost the same, sometimes 1 minute shorter. I tested both ways and slightly preferred the baked shrimp option over broiled.
Variations For Baked Shrimp
- Parmesan – Right before serving your easy baked shrimp, add generous amounts of freshly grated parmesan cheese for a delicious savory flavor.
- Cajun – Replace the seasonings with 1-2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning.
- Coconut – If you like your shrimp a little sweeter with a crunchy coating, try baked coconut shrimp instead.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep oven baked shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
- Reheat: Simply reheat leftovers in a hot skillet for a couple of minutes, until warm, with some additional butter if possible. Avoid the microwave because it will make shrimp rubbery.
Can You Freeze Shrimp?
Yes, you can freeze cooked shrimp for up to 2-3 months. Cool and refrigerate shrimp, then place on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze for at least 20 minutes, or until partially hardened, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for long-term storage.
What To Serve With Baked Shrimp Recipes
This dish works for so many occasions — romantic dinners, family gatherings, weeknight dinners, and more! No matter how you enjoy them, try pairing baked shrimp recipes with these dishes:
- Easy Vegetables – Sauteed broccoli or sauteed zucchini make great stovetop options you can make while you have the shrimp in the oven. If you want your side dish in the oven at the same time, choose on that roasts at the same temperature and rotate the racks halfway through. Roasted cauliflower steaks, quick roasted asparagus, or flavorful ratatoille are good choices for this.
- Salads – For a quick and easy side, make a spring mix salad or sweet pear salad. A simple creamy cucumber salad is another perfect pairing.
- Starches – Pasta, roasted potatoes, and Instant Pot baked potatoes are heartier options, but you can also opt for lighter choices like zucchini noodles, easy cauliflower rice, or creamy mashed cauliflower.
- Dipping Sauce – I love my shrimp with a drizzle of extra lemon butter sauce, but you could also try chimichurri or garlic aioli.
More Easy Shrimp Recipes
So many ways to cook and serve shrimp! If baking isn’t an option, try these simple shrimp dishes:
Recommended Tools
- Glass Bowls – My go-to set for partitioning ingredients and tossing shrimp in the marinade. They nest together for efficient storage.
- Large Baking Dish – To ensure shrimp cooks evenly, I use a 9×13 baking dish like this one. You could also use a sheet pan if you prefer.
Oven Baked Shrimp Recipe
Baked Shrimp Recipe (Quick & Easy!)
The best baked shrimp recipe in the oven – so juicy & buttery! Make it with simple ingredients like shrimp, butter, lemon, paprika & garlic.
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon juice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
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Add the shrimp to the bowl and stir to coat. Let the shrimp marinate for 10 minutes. (Do not let the shrimp marinate for more than 30 minutes.)
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Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees F).
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Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in a large baking dish. Scrape any marinade left over in the bowl over the shrimp (it will have solidified by this point).
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Bake shrimp in the oven for about 8-10 minutes, until opaque.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/4 lb, or 1/4 entire recipe
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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7 Comments
Janis
0Can this recipe be made with frozen pre-cooked shrimp? If so, what adjustments need to be made? Thank you in advance.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Janis, I don’t recommend using pre-cooked shrimp in this recipe. If you still want to try it, you’d need to reduce the cook time just until warm, but they are more likely to be overcooked.
Michelle
0My son loves shrimp and this was a super easy way to make it. Served with roasted veggies and a salad. Will make again!
Susie
0This is such a simple recipe, but the flavors are out of this world! It’s my go-to for when we’re having friends over as it can be made quickly and popped in the oven right before guests arrive. Thank you for an awesome recipe!
Jo Keohane
0Shrimp are my ultimate fast food and this recipe is seriously good. Perfect results – thank you!
Jenn
0These shrimp are fabulous! So much flavor and I love how it cooks so quickly and easily. Yum!
Gina
0Love how buttery and flavorful these came out. We served over rice with a simple vegetable on the side and it was a delicious and easy dinner.