Buffalo Shrimp
Buffalo Shrimp is a quick and easy solution for busy weeknights, made with simple ingredients yet bursting with spicy, succulent flavor. Ready in just 11 minutes, it’s delicious served on its own or as a flavorful appetizer, guaranteed to delight your taste buds.
When you’re in the mood for something fun with a bit of spice, make this simple buffalo shrimp recipe. The tender shrimp are as spicy or mild as you make them! And you can serve them with a spicy sauce to really kick up the heat or a blue cheese slaw (to bring it back down).
This tasty appetizer recipe takes less time than deciding what to order from takeout! In less than 15 minutes, these spicy shrimp are ready to be served! In fact, they taste so good, and are so easy to make, that you can whip them up for a quick last-minute lunch, too!
Why You’ll Love Buffalo Shrimp
- Perfect Game Day Appetizer – tastes just like chicken wings
- Easy Recipe – Just four simple ingredients and 10 minutes.
- Quick – No fancy gadgets, you just saute the shrimp in a skillet.
- Versatile – You can use different sauces, add the shrimp to pasta, tacos, the ideas are endless.
- Perfect for Meal Prep – This saucy shrimp reheats really well, so you can enjoy it even a few days later.
Ingredients
The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.
This easy buffalo shrimp is made with just a handful of simple ingredients.
- Medium or Large Shrimp – This is the base of the entire recipe
- Buffalo Wing Seasoning Mix – This is what gives the shrimp the heat.
- Garlic Powder – The garlic powder enhances the flavors in the seasoning mix.
- Hot Sauce – Use as much hot sauce as you can handle.
- Olive Oil – You’ll need a healthy fat to saute the shrimp.
How to Make Buffalo Shrimp
- Step One: Set your shrimp on a large plate and pat dry with a paper towel. Set aside.
- Step Two: Mix the buffalo wing seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce in a large bowl using a rubber spatula. The mixture will be a thick sauce.
- Step Three: Gently place the raw shrimp into the mixture and coat using a spatula.
- Step Four: Warm oil on medium heat until smooth and shiny in a large skillet.
- Step Five: Place shrimp into the hot oil, being careful not to burn yourself.
- Step Six: Cook the shrimp until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Step Seven: Serve immediately with optional sides.
Equipment Needed
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- Large Plate
- Medium Bowl
- Rubber Spatula
- Large Skillet
What to Serve with Buffalo Shrimp
Serve this tasty appetizer just like you would serve spicy chicken wings at a sports bar. Here are some of the best things to add to the table.
- Carrot Sticks
- Celery Sticks
- Blue Cheese Dip
- Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
Variations and Substitutions
- Make breaded fried shrimp. Use a deep fryer, and you’ll get crispy shrimp every single time.
- Make lettuce wraps. Add the shrimp to a large piece of lettuce, and enjoy!
- Make them spicier. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper.
- Use an air fryer. Lay them in a single layer and bake at 350F for about 5 minutes.
- Use them to make Buffalo shrimp tacos. They will make a tasty taco, just top the shrimp with shredded lettuce and sour cream.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover cooked shrimp in the fridge, covered in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
Buffalo Shrimp Tips and Tricks
- Use your favorite brand of hot sauce to make spicy shrimp.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels before adding the spices.
- The garlic powder is optional. If you don’t have any, the shrimp will still taste great!
Can I Make It Less Spicy?
Instead of using spicy buffalo sauce, season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning and black pepper. Buffalo wing sauces tend to pack a lot of heat.
How To Tell When Shrimp Are Done
One of the best things about this recipe is that shrimp cook quickly. Pay close attention to the cooking time. It only takes a few minutes for them to cook fully.
When your shrimp is done, it should be pink and opaque. Look for that vibrant coral color and a firm, slightly springy texture. If it’s still gray and mushy, it needs more time. Just trust your gut and don’t overcook—they turn rubbery if you do.
FAQ
I used medium shrimp, but you can use jumbo shrimp. Do not use popcorn or tiny shrimp. You want them to be large enough to serve as an appetizer.
Yes, the shrimp will taste amazing on the grill! Place the large shrimp on the hot grill and cook for about 2 minutes on each side.
This recipe makes about four servings.
Shrimp Recipes
Want to make more tasty shrimp recipes at home? Here are some of my favorites:
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Buffalo Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 packet buffalo wing seasoning mix 1oz packet
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Optional Sides:
- Hot sauce drizzle
- Ranch dressing
- Blue cheese dressing
- Cut carrots and celery
Instructions
- Set your shrimp on a large plate and pat dry with a paper towel. Set aside.
- Mix the buffalo wing seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce in a large bowl using a rubber spatula. The mixture will be a thick sauce.
- Gently place the raw shrimp into the mixture and coat using a spatula.
- Warm oil on medium heat until smooth and shiny in a large skillet.
- Place shrimp into the hot oil, being careful not to burn yourself.
- Cook the shrimp until cooked through, about 3 minutes on each side.
- Serve immediately with optional sides.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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