From shrimp etouffee to shrimp curry, and shrimp scampi to chipotle shrimp soup, this collection of spicy and flavorful Instant Pot shrimp recipes are must-tries for your Instant Pot if you are a fan of shrimp.
The Instant Pot is so convenient for all kinds of foods, especially proteins. But most people tend to stick to meats and shy away from cooking seafood in the Instant Pot.
If you thought you couldn’t successfully cook shrimp in the Instant Pot, think again. You absolutely can cook shrimp perfectly in the Instant Pot.
Shrimp is one of my favorite ingredients! I’ve put together a collection of my favorite Instant Pot shrimp recipes and I’ve also included some popular recipes from other bloggers.
Most of these Instant Pot recipes for shrimp are easy and can be made on a weeknight with little fuss. And all of them are so full of flavor!
If you’re new to the Instant Pot and aren’t familiar with how to use it, please read the Instant Pot DUO Beginner’s Quick Start Guide or the Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Quick Start Guide.
How to Cook Shrimp in the Instant Pot
You’ll find that that Instant Pot shrimp recipes use a few different methods:
Low Pressure
- Pressure cook shrimp using the LOW pressure setting. Pressure cooking time varies from 1 to 4 minutes.
High Pressure
- Pressure cook shrimp using the HIGH pressure setting. Pressure cooking time varies from 0 to 2 minutes.
Residual Heat
My recipes use an unusual method to cook the shrimp. I generally pressure cook my sauce or rice and then add the shrimp in at the end and let it cook in the residual heat of the closed Instant Pot.
This is a technique I discovered when I first got my Instant Pot. I find it works really well and prevents any overcooking of the shrimp. Here’s a summary of this method of cooking shrimp in the Instant Pot:
- Pressure cook recipe without the shrimp (e.g. rice, pasta, sauce, etc)
- Release pressure.
- Open the lid and add the shrimp. (Work quickly and don’t let too much steam escape).
- Close the lid for 10 minutes. If you have trouble closing the lid, place the steam release handle (or button in the case of Instant Pot ULTRA) in the VENTING position.
How to Substitute Frozen Shrimp in Recipes
Pressure-Cooked Shrimp Recipes
If you’re using a recipe that calls for thawed shrimp to be pressure-cooked, you can substitute frozen shrimp and follow the recipe’s original pressure cooking time.
Keep in mind that the Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure since the contents will take longer to heat up. Also, make sure that the frozen shrimp is not in one big clump!
Instant Pot Shrimp Recipes using Residual Heat
If you’re using a recipe that calls for cooking the shrimp in residual heat (like most of my recipes), you’ll need to thaw the shrimp because substituting frozen shrimp could result in undercooked shrimp.
How to Steam Frozen Shrimp in the Instant Pot
If you’d like to serve shrimp with cocktail sauce as an appetizer, or if you want to make simple steamed shrimp, here’s how to cook frozen large shrimp:
- Add 1 cup water to the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
- Place a steamer basket in the inner pot.
- Add the shrimp to the steamer basket, and make sure you separate them so they aren’t in one big clump.
- Optional: Sprinkle generously with seasonings (e.g. Old Bay Seasoning )
- Close the lid and pressure cook for 2 minutes * at LOW pressure. (If your shrimp is extra-large or jumbo, you might need to change the frozen shrimp time to 3 minutes.)
- Do a quick release of pressure (QR).
- Open the lid and carefully remove the steamer basket using silicone mitts .
* If your shrimp is thawed, reduce the Instant Pot pressure cooking time to 1 minute i.e. adjust pressure cooking time to 00:01 and select START.
How to Make Shrimp Stock in the Instant Pot
I use this Instant Pot shrimp stock in almost all my shrimp or fish recipes that call for broth or water. It’s super easy to make: peel the shrimp and pressure cook the shrimp shells with a few vegetables and aromatics.
The shrimp stock adds an extra layer of flavor to all your Instant Pot shrimp and seafood recipes.
A Quick and Easy Instant Pot Shrimp Soup
This is such a delicious and easy recipe that you’ll be making it again and again. What I like most about it is that you can get such terrific flavor with so little effort.
The chipotle chiles in adobo sauce add a spicy kick to the soup, so feel free to tone it down. I sometimes make this recipe more like a Shrimp Bisque by adding more cream and mashing up some of the potatoes.
Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi / Pasta
I think of Shrimp Scampi is comfort food. If you’re short on time and want to get dinner on the table in no time, this Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi recipe is for you.
Instant Pot Cajun and Creole Shrimp Recipes
Cajun and Creole cuisine from New Orleans are my favorites. These recipes are spicy and full of flavor. Be sure to check out the Instant Pot Jambalaya in the Instant Pot Shrimp and Rice section below!
Instant Pot Shrimp Dishes from the South
These are popular dishes in the southern states of the US and are easy to make and super tasty!
Indian Instant Pot Shrimp Curry Recipes
These shrimp and prawn Indian curries made in the Instant Pot are easy, spicy and delicious!
Instant Pot Shrimp and Rice Recipes
Combining rice and shrimp together in the Instant Pot makes these meal-in-one recipes very convenient. These crowd-pleasing favorite recipes are a must-try for your Instant Pot.
If you loved this recipe collection, please share it on social media using the social media share buttons at the top and bottom of this post. Thank you so much!
Gauri
Hi Neena,
Last evening I was inspired to make your green Thai curry and it was quite the hit with my family. My husband asked me to keep the left overs for him. Thank you for that awesome recipe- I’ve been hunting for an authentic Thai curry recipe for a while.
Tonight I’m going to be making your IP chicken shawarma. Will let you know how it goes! Thanks again!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Gauri, thanks so much for your comment! I’m so glad you found me and hope you like my other recipes. Give all the Thai curries a try – they’re all super tasty. One of my daughters loves the panang best, another loves the green (like you) and I am partial to the red 🙂 I think you’ll like the shawarma. Just an easy recipe for a quick dinner. Try to marinate the chicken for a bit.
Dennis
Hi Neena,
Glad to see you are still feeding us expertly.
Keep them coming
Dennis
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Dennis! Thank you for continuing to visit the blog – you’re one of my original readers and I so appreciate your support!