Instant pot recipes shrimp meals are my favorite weeknight trick. They’re fast, full of flavor, and make cleanup feel like a break. If you’ve got frozen shrimp and an Instant Pot, you’re minutes away from a real dinner.
How It All Started
One chaotic evening, the twins were melting down, and Mabel—our dog—was underfoot, begging for a bite of anything. I found frozen shrimp, a lemon, and garlic. Into the Instant Pot they went with some butter and broth. Ten minutes later, we were eating a meal that tasted like it had cooked for hours.
That first dish kicked off my obsession with instant pot recipes shrimp fans can rely on. Since then, I’ve tested dozens—spicy, buttery, creamy—all cooked fast, with one pot and zero stress.
If you’re already using quick tools like the air fryer (like in this chicken wings guide), adding shrimp to your Instant Pot routine is a no-brainer.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything for a basic one-pot shrimp meal:
- 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ cup broth or water
- ¼ tsp baking soda (optional for texture)
- Salt, pepper, Cajun spice (to taste)
- Cream or coconut milk (optional for finish)
These ingredients make dinner simple, flavorful, and flexible. Perfect for nights when you need something quick and satisfying.
For busy evenings, instant pot recipes shrimp dishes keep things warm, fast, and real.
Instant Pot Recipes Shrimp That Taste Like Takeout (Fast + Easy)
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ cup broth or water
- ¼ tsp baking soda optional
- Salt pepper, Cajun spice to taste
- 2 tbsp cream or coconut milk optional
Instructions
- 1. Toss shrimp with baking soda, let rest 15 minutes, then rinse.
- 2. Add oil, garlic, lemon juice, and broth to Instant Pot.
- 3. Place shrimp on trivet or in steamer basket.
- 4. Pressure cook: 1 min thawed, 2 min frozen. Use quick release.
- 5. Stir in cream or seasoning as desired.
- 6. Serve with rice, pasta, or veggies.
Notes
Unlocking Instant Pot Shrimp Timing and Flavor
If you want your instant pot recipes shrimp to come out perfect every time, timing is everything. Cook thawed shrimp at high pressure for one minute, then immediately release the pressure.
But once you know the basics, you’ll never go back to stovetop shrimp again.
How Long to Pressure Cook Shrimp
Here’s the breakdown:
Cook raw, thawed shrimp on high pressure for 1 minute, then do a quick release.
To cook frozen shrimp, use high pressure for 2 minutes and finish with a quick release.
You’ll know it’s ready when it turns pink and forms a gentle C shape.
If it’s still translucent, you can switch to sauté mode for a quick finish—but usually, that’s not necessary.
The Instant Pot’s pressure gives you consistent results with minimal effort, especially when you’re juggling other things around the house. You’ll feel the same confidence with shrimp as you do with tried-and-true favorites like these easy reheat air fryer wings.
Add Big Flavor in Small Steps
What makes instant pot recipes shrimp so powerful is how shrimp absorbs flavor. Start with oil or butter, then layer in garlic, lemon, or broth. From there, spice it up with Cajun seasoning, chili flakes, or a splash of soy sauce.
After pressure cooking, stir in coconut milk or cream for a saucy finish. Or keep it light with extra herbs and fresh lemon juice. These easy touches make your one-pot dish feel like restaurant-quality—without the mess or stress.
How to Make Instant Pot Shrimp Juicy Like Takeout
Ever wonder how Chinese restaurants get their shrimp so juicy and springy? It’s not just heat—it’s prep. And yes, your instant pot recipes shrimp can deliver that same bouncy bite right at home.
Why Baking Soda Changes Everything
Here’s the secret: toss your shrimp in a tiny bit of baking soda before cooking. Add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda for every pound of shrimp. Rest the shrimp for about 20 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly to get it ready for cooking.
This quick prep step helps lock in moisture and gives the shrimp that firm, juicy texture you’d expect from a restaurant.
This technique transforms your instant pot recipes shrimp from basic to restaurant-quality. Whether you’re adding them to noodles, rice bowls, or tacos, the texture is juicy—not mushy.
Want even more flavor? Try a quick marinade with soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic before pressure cooking. That bold, savory taste gets sealed in under pressure and works beautifully in all kinds of instant pot recipes shrimp variations.
You’ll find more smart, quick flavor ideas like this in our one-pot meals section, where shrimp plays a starring role in many family favorites.
Is It Better to Steam or Boil Shrimp in the Instant Pot?
Steam it—always. Raising the shrimp above the broth with steam ensures it stays tender and doesn’t overcook.
Just place the shrimp on a trivet or in a steamer basket inside the pot and let the pressure do the work.
Boiling shrimp directly under pressure often leads to rubbery, flavorless bites. Steaming gives you gentle, controlled cooking—which makes all the difference in your instant pot recipes shrimp dishes.
This method is as essential as our trusted approach in this crispy wing reheating guide. Technique always matters.
Put That Texture to Work
Once you’ve nailed juicy shrimp in the Instant Pot, you’ll start adding it to everything. Use it in lettuce wraps, ramen bowls, quick salads, or grain bowls. The shrimp holds its texture even after storing—perfect for next-day meal prep.
On a busy night, instant pot recipes shrimp give you everything you need: speed, flavor, and zero hassle. No babysitting the pan. No guesswork. Just delicious food made fast—and with one pot to clean.
Serving Ideas and One-Pot Shrimp Inspiration
One of the best parts about instant pot recipes shrimp is how versatile the results are. Once your shrimp is cooked perfectly, you can turn it into dozens of quick meals without dirtying another pan.
How to Serve Instant Pot Shrimp
After cooking, you can spoon the shrimp over white rice, garlic mashed potatoes, or creamy polenta. Toss it with linguine and a squeeze of lemon for a fast shrimp scampi. Want something lighter? Add it to a grain bowl with veggies or roll it into a tortilla for shrimp tacos.
Shrimp is also great for next-day lunches. Store leftovers in an airtight container and use them in wraps, salads, or stir-fried rice. Since the Instant Pot locks in moisture, the texture holds up much better than stove-cooked versions.
If you’re already using quick tools like the air fryer, adding shrimp to your Instant Pot routine is a no-brainer.
Shrimp as a Weeknight Lifesaver
The real beauty of instant pot recipes shrimp dishes is how effortlessly they fit into busy schedules. You don’t need marinades that take hours, or long simmer times. You simply prep, press start, and walk away.
In my kitchen, shrimp has become the protein I reach for when I’m down to minutes, not hours. It cooks fast, absorbs bold flavor, and pairs well with everything—from pasta to quinoa to creamy coconut broth.
Even better? One pot to cook, one pot to clean. Whether it’s spicy, buttery, or herbed and light, instant pot recipes shrimp let you serve something warm, fresh, and filling with no stress.
Looking for more one-pot wins? Follow on medium and Pinterest for weekly ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions: Instant Pot Recipes Shrimp
How long to pressure cook shrimp for?
For raw, thawed shrimp, cook on high pressure for 1 minute with a quick release. If the shrimp is frozen, go for 2 minutes on high pressure, followed by the same quick release. This keeps the shrimp tender and prevents overcooking—key for all instant pot recipes shrimp meals.
Why add baking soda to shrimp before cooking?
A small amount of baking soda—just ¼ teaspoon per pound—helps shrimp stay juicy and firm. It slightly raises the pH, which makes the shrimp more resistant to overcooking. It’s a common restaurant trick that gives your instant pot shrimp recipes that bouncy, tender texture you’d expect from takeout.
How to make shrimp juicy like Chinese restaurants?
The secret is in the prep. Toss the shrimp with a touch of baking soda, let it rest for 15–20 minutes, then rinse before cooking. When you combine this step with pressure cooking, your instant pot recipes shrimp dishes will have that same juicy bite you’d get in a restaurant stir-fry.
Is it better to steam or boil shrimp?
Steaming is better. It cooks the shrimp evenly without soaking it in liquid, which helps preserve flavor and texture. Boiling under pressure can lead to rubbery results, while steaming gives you that clean, juicy finish—especially in instant pot recipes shrimp meals.
Conclusion: Big Flavor, Less Mess—One Pot at a Time
When you’re juggling a busy evening, instant pot recipes shrimp offer comfort without the chaos. With a handful of ingredients and just minutes of cook time, you can bring bold flavor to the table—no fancy techniques or pile of dishes needed.
Whether you’re craving something creamy, spicy, or fresh and light, shrimp adapts to whatever you’re in the mood for. And with a few smart prep tips—like baking soda for texture and steaming over boiling—you’ll never worry about overcooking again.
From weeknight lifesavers to next-day lunches, instant pot recipes shrimp bring it all together in one pot. One pot, big flavor, less mess. That’s how we cook here—and it works, every time.
