Easy Shrimp Stew Recipe

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Tired of beef? Sick of chicken? Not in the mood for pork? Yep, it happens. So from time to time, I like to change it up from my go-to proteins and get some seafood on the menu. One of my go-to seafood recipes, especially during the winter, is this flavorful shrimp stew.

I personally enjoy just about all seafood, but from a kid perspective, it seems that shrimp is where it's at. My kids enjoyed shrimp long before they were open to any other seafood. 

One of their favorites is my Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo, which is also one of my favorites because it cooks up in less than 30 minutes! 

They also really love my Creamy Rice and Shrimp recipe, which is another super easy recipe that is ready quickly and will win over the whole family with it's creamy goodness.

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention my Zingy Shrimp Grilled Cheese, which results in a cheesy yummy filling with a little kick of spice, stuffed between two pieces of multi-grain bread and grilled to gooey goodness!

I will admit, however, when it comes to this shrimp stew, I had to dial down the spiciness until they were a little older and started appreciating that kind of flavor. So make sure you start out conservative with the crushed red pepper flakes. You can always add more!

Shrimp also cooks up so quickly and easily, it's a great ingredient to have in your arsenal. I keep a bag of shrimp in my freezer to pull out at a moment's notice.

And a moment's notice is all you need for this recipe, because all the ingredients can be bought and kept on hand for that last minute dinner decision. The shrimp and veggies are frozen, the tomatoes are canned, and the rest of the ingredients come from the pantry.

Not only are the ingredients convenient, Shrimp Stew also cooks up in no time, all in one pot. So this is a great recipe to be your plan B for a night when you discover you are too tired to go ahead with whatever dinner you originally intended.

To make Shrimp Stew, all you have to do is...

Step 1. Start the base

Add the canned diced tomatoes and the frozen pepper and onion strips to a medium saucepan.

Step 2. Add the spices

Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 3. Add the shrimp

Toss in the shrimp, then stir and simmer until they are cooked through.

Super easy, right? The whole thing can be ready in 30 minutes or less!

Tips for cooking the shrimp

1. If you buy peeled, deveined, tail-off shrimp, go ahead and toss it in right from the bag, without thawing it.
2. I always buy at least peeled and deveined (I really don't have the patience to do those things), but I can't always find tail-off shrimp. In that case, I thaw the shrimp by placing them in a ziplock bag, squeezing out all the air, and then placing the bad under cool running water until they thaw. Once they are thawed, I can pretty easily pull off the tail prior to cooking.
3. Don't overcook the shrimp! When the shrimp are pink and opaque, and curl (but not too tightly!) they are done.

Easy Shrimp Stew Recipe

Serve with warm crusty bread or a side salad, or both. Be sure to read the tips on cooking shrimp so they don't get overcooked.

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! Enjoy!

Looking for some other great seafood recipes?

This Lemon Garlic Penne with Crab looks delicious! Crab is another seafood that my kids starting eating pretty early on. Clams and mussels and the 'fishier' fish - like salmon and tuna - were not kid-approved in our house until they entered middle school!

And here's a recipe for Cheesy Crab Pasta that also looks amazing! What a great idea for a delicious, comforting pasta meal.

Does your family like shrimp? Crab? Other seafood? Comment below and let me know what other kinds of seafood recipes you would like to see me post!