Description
If you love bold, briny, and refreshing seafood dishes, this Pickled Shrimp recipe is a must-try! This Southern delicacy features tender shrimp marinated in a citrusy, herby brine with onions, garlic, and spices, creating a flavor-packed dish that gets better the longer it sits.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Shrimp:
- 1 ½ lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp Old Bay seasoning (or Cajun seasoning)
- 1 lemon, sliced
For the Pickling Brine:
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar for a sharper taste)
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp capers (optional, for extra brininess)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Shrimp
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add Old Bay seasoning and lemon slices.
- Drop in the shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes, until pink and just firm.
- Immediately transfer shrimp to an ice bath (a bowl of ice water) to stop cooking. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Pickling Brine
- In a large bowl or mason jar, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic.
- Stir in sliced red onion, capers, parsley, and dill.
Step 3: Marinate the Shrimp
- Add the cooked shrimp to the brine and toss gently to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight for the best flavor.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
- Stir the shrimp before serving and garnish with extra fresh herbs.
- Serve chilled with crackers, crusty bread, or as a salad topping.
Notes
- For extra flavor, let the shrimp marinate for 24 hours before serving.
- Make it spicy by adding more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp! They should be tender, not rubbery.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Seafood
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: Southern, Coastal
Nutrition
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 180mg