Herbs and Spices That are Best for Seasoning Shrimp

Shrimp is not the most consumed seafood for no reason; its unique texture and versatility open the doors to a whole new level of culinary experimentation. Now that you want to move beyond the typical spices and try something new, here you can learn about the best species that have become a go-to when cooking shrimp.

Herbs and Spices to Put on Shrimp for the Best Seasoning

Sautéing, roasting, and grilling are some of the typical ways to cook shrimp. Even if you have the smallest amount of experience with seafood, you would know that seasoning is the key to bringing out the best of their flavors. Shrimp is no different.

You can mix and match anything from the table below to create unique flavors – just remember that you will need at least 2 teaspoons of seasoning per pound of shrimp. Don’t forget to add salt.

Name	Flavor Profile
Paprika	Mild, sweet, and slightly smoky
Cumin	Earthy, warm, and slightly nutty
Garlic (don’t skip it)	Pungent and savory
Cayenne Pepper	Spicy and pungent
Black Pepper	Peppery and slightly spicy
Oregano	Earthy, slightly bitter, and aromatic
Basil	Sweet, aromatic, and slightly peppery
Thyme	Earthy, herby, and slightly floral
Onion Powder	Sweet and savory
Chili Powder	Spicy, smoky, and slightly sweet

Note: Today, seasoning isn't just about table spices anymore. It's everything that adds flavor to your food, whether you sprinkle it before, during, or after cooking.

Spice Blends You Can Use

You can also go for these traditional spice mixes available from stores for a fail-safe shrimp dinner:

Name	Flavor Profile
Italian Seasoning	Aromatic, herbaceous, slightly sweet, and earthy
Cajun Seasoning	Robust, spicy, zesty, with moderate to high heat
Blackened Seasoning	Smoky, spicy, slightly sweet, with a dark crust effect

Be cautious with store-bought seasonings as they often contain salt, and overseasoning your shrimp may make it too salty. One of the advantages of blending individual spices to make your own seasoning mix is that you can skip the salt. Then, you can put as much seasoning as you want on your shrimp.

As with seasoning any other seafood, pat drying and adding a spoonful of olive oil helps the spices stick to shrimp, especially when you are baking or grilling them.

Do the Same Spices Work for Marinating Shrimp

The spices mentioned above are good for marinades as well. Add your preferred herbs and spices to a wet base, like soy sauce, olive oil, and lemon juice, and let the shrimp sit in it for at least an hour before cooking.

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