If you are looking for an easy sauteed shrimp recipe then this Easy Pesto Shrimp recipe is the recipe you have been looking for. Made with a handful of ingredients and ready in 20 minutes.
Sauteed shrimp is one of the easiest recipes out there to make when you only have 30 minutes on hand to whip something up for the family. This simple and easy pesto shrimp recipe will become a favorite because of how quick and easy it is to make. Enjoy delicious and tender shrimp with each bite prepared with homemade pesto sauce and burst cherry tomatoes. This sauteed shrimp recipe is low in carbs and perfect for those on a low carb and keto diet. Shrimp is one of our favorite proteins because it is low in calories and fat and high in protein. Enjoy it with pasta, white rice, or more veggies.
Why you will love this sauteed shrimp recipe with homemade pesto
- Easy to make: Yes! We are all for easy and simple recipes. This pesto shrimp recipe is so easy to make, it takes just about 20 minutes.
- Healthy: All ingredients used are perfectly healthy. It just can’t get any healthier. This recipe is low in carbs and great for meal prepping too!
- Flavorful: If you love anything pesto, you will love this pesto shrimp. Serve it up with some past or rice. So good!
Ingredients you will need and substitutes
- Olive oil: olive oil is our first choice, but if you don’t have any, use any oil you have on hand like avocado oil.
- Shrimp: we prefer that you use raw shrimp instead of pre-cooked shrimp.
- Tomatoes: go with cherry or grape tomatoes, they are tangy, sweet and perfect for this recipe.
- Salt and Pepper: adjust these ingredients to taste
- Pesto sauce: We do have a homemade pesto sauce you can use. Otherwise, use store-bought. Costco has an amazing homemade pesto as well.
- Lemon wedges: used to garnish at the end and optional.
How to make this easy pesto shrimp skillet recipe
Heat half of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until busted. Set aside.
To the same pan add the remaining oil. Sauté the shrimp until almost opaque, around 3-4 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then stir in the pesto sauce and busted cherry tomatoes.
While the pan is still on the heat, cook for 1-2 minutes more, or until the shrimp is pink and curled.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe notes and tips
- Add in your favorite veggies with the tomatoes. Consider adding some zucchini or any other veggie of choice.
- Like spicy food? Add in some cayenne pepper or sriracha.
- Serve this pesto shrimp any sides like rice, potatoes, or roasted veggies.
- Use raw shrimp and not pre-cooked shrimp.If you are using raw shrimp, thaw out first and drain. Remove skin and make sure shrimp is deveined.
- If you can make homemade Pesto go right ahead. Otherwise you can use store-bought. If you prefer homemade, then checkout my homemade pesto recipe.
Frequently asked questions
If you make homemade pesto, you can store it in the fridge for up to 7 days. Then, we recommend that you freeze them. Do not freeze all the pesto at once, you may divide them into single-serve portions and then freeze.
Any pasta you have on hand would work with this pesto shrimp recipe. Normally pesto works well with longer cuts of pasta like spaghetti, fettuccine, capellini, and so on.
Any side you can think of will pair well with this pesto shrimp. To keep it low carb, you can serve it with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or roasted veggies. Other sides that will be great are potato wedges, sweet potatoes, mash potatoes, Crispy smashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, and white rice.
It is going to be either or and whatever you prefer. But if we have to choose we would definitely go with sauteeing shrimp instead of boiling. For juicy, tender, and flavorful shrimp, sautee at a lower temperature and don’t rush it or else it will be tough and rubbery.
Other healthy and easy recipe you may like
- Miso Glazed Salmon
- Oven-baked Greek Chicken Breast
- Creamy Turkey Lemon Rice Soup
- Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
- Garlic Roasted Broccolini
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Pesto Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb large raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 lb cherry or grape tomatoes
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup pesto sauce homemade* or store bought
- 1 lemon wedges cut into wedges
Instructions
- Heat half of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until busted. Set aside.
- To the same pan add the remaining oil. Sauté the shrimp until almost opaque, around 3-4 minutes.
- Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then stir in the pesto sauce and busted cherry tomatoes. While the pan is still on the heat, cook for 1-2 minutes more, or until the shrimp is pink and curled.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- serving size is 1/4 lb of shrimp, about 1/2 cup cooked
- Use either homemade pesto or you can use store-bought. If you want to make pesto from scratch, check out this homemade pesto sauce recipe.
- Use raw shrimp and not pre-cooked shrimp. You can use frozen raw shrimp, thaw, and drain.
- Cherry or grape tomato preferred.
- You may add your favorite veggie along with the tomatoes, like zucchini or broccoli.
- Any oil works. Try grapeseed oil or avocado oil.
Michelle O. says
Question before I make it: You say this serves 4 with 1 lb. Of shrimp. Later, you say each serving is 1/2 lb. of shrimp. The math does not add up. Which is it?
Rena says
I fixed it. Sorry. 1lb of shrimp so about 1/4 lb per serving