If you’ve ever wanted to use everything bagel seasoning beyond cream cheese, this Everything Bagel Shrimp recipe is your answer. It creates a savory, crunchy crust on juicy shrimp in just minutes. It’s a quick, impressive dinner that feels gourmet with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This Everything Bagel Shrimp

• Quick & Easy: Ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish.
• Perfect Texture: Tender shrimp with a wonderfully crunchy, seedy coating.
• Incredibly Versatile: Serve over rice, in salads, tacos, or straight from the pan.
• Gourmet Feel: Tastes fancy but uses an affordable, store-bought seasoning.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, or avocado oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• To taste, salt (use sparingly, the seasoning is salty!)
• To serve, lemon wedges

Tools: A large skillet (cast iron is great for a good sear), tongs, a small bowl for mixing.

Notes: Use the largest shrimp you can find for juicier results. The butter at the end creates a glossy, restaurant-quality sauce.

Nutrition (per serving)

Serves: 3-4 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 8 minutes | Total Time: 13 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Pat your shrimp completely dry. This is the single most important step for getting a good sear instead of a steam. Use paper towels and really press down to remove all surface moisture—it makes all the difference for that perfect crust.
• Check your seasoning’s salt content. Different brands of everything bagel seasoning have varying salt levels. Give yours a quick taste before you start, so you know whether to add extra salt at the end or not. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
• Have all your ingredients prepped and ready. Because the cook time is so fast, you won’t have time to mince garlic or juice a lemon once the shrimp hit the pan. A classic “mise en place” setup is your best friend for this recipe.
• Don’t crowd the pan. If your skillet isn’t large enough to hold all the shrimp in a single layer without them touching, cook them in two batches. Overcrowding will cause them to steam and become rubbery, and we want a beautiful sear.

How to Make Everything Bagel Shrimp

Storage & Freshness Guide

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Freezer: Freezing is not recommended as shrimp can become rubbery upon thawing.
• Reviving: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or stock to prevent drying out.

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• Fluffy Jasmine Rice or Orzo — The neutral, starchy base is perfect for soaking up every last drop of that incredible garlicky, buttery sauce from the shrimp.
• A Simple Arugula Salad — The peppery bite of arugula dressed with just lemon juice and olive oil provides a fresh, bright contrast to the rich, savory shrimp.
• Crusty Garlic Bread — Because you’ll want something to swipe through that buttery pan sauce, and a warm, crispy piece of bread is the perfect vehicle.

Drinks

• A Crisp Sauvignon Blanc — Its bright acidity and citrus notes cut through the richness of the dish and mirror the lemon beautifully.
• An Ice-Cold Lager — The clean, crisp finish of a good lager is a classic pairing with seafood and helps cleanse the palate between bites.
• Sparkling Water with Lemon — A non-alcoholic option that still provides the bubbles and citrus to balance the meal perfectly.

Something Sweet

• Lemon Sorbet — A light, palate-cleansing dessert that continues the citrus theme and feels refreshing after the savory main course.
• Almond Biscotti — The nutty, crunchy cookies are lovely for dipping into a cup of coffee and provide a simple, not-too-sweet ending.
• Fresh Berry Parfait — Layers of yogurt, honey, and fresh berries offer a creamy, fruity, and light finale that doesn’t weigh you down.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Adding salt without tasting first. I’ve messed this up before too… and ended up with inedibly salty shrimp. Remember, the everything bagel seasoning is already packed with salt. Always taste your final dish before reaching for the salt shaker.
• Mistake: Overcooking the shrimp. Shrimp cook in a flash and go from perfectly juicy to tough and rubbery in a matter of over a minute. The moment they curl into a tight “C” shape and turn opaque, they’re done. Take them off the heat immediately.
• Mistake: Using a cold pan or crowded skillet. If the pan isn’t hot enough, the shrimp will stew and release water instead of searing. And if they’re all piled on top of each other, they’ll steam. Give them space and a hot surface for the best texture.
• Mistake: Burning the garlic. Garlic burns in a heartbeat and turns bitter. By adding it at the end with the butter and residual heat, you’re just warming it through to release its flavor, not frying it.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make your own everything bagel seasoning. If you’re out, it’s easy to whip up! Combine 2 tbsp each of white and black sesame seeds, 1 tbsp each of dried minced garlic and onion, 2 tsp poppy seeds, and 2 tsp flaky sea salt. You can control the salt level and freshness perfectly.
• Tip: Add a pinch of chili flake with the garlic. If you like a little heat, this is the perfect time to add it. The gentle warmth from the chili flake will infuse into the butter and create a lovely, subtle spice throughout the dish.
• Tip: Use the shrimp shells for stock. If you’re peeling the shrimp yourself, don’t toss the shells! Sauté them for a minute, then cover with water and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain, and you have a quick, flavorful shrimp stock for soups or risotto.
• Tip: Let the shrimp come to room temperature. Taking the chill off your shrimp for 10-15 minutes before cooking helps them cook more evenly, preventing the outside from overcooking while the inside is still cold.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp?
Absolutely! Frozen shrimp are often fresher than “fresh” shrimp at the counter, which are typically previously frozen and thawed. Just make sure to thaw them properly overnight in the fridge or in a sealed bag under cold running water. The most important step, as always, is to pat them completely dry before seasoning and cooking.

Can I bake this Everything Bagel Shrimp instead of pan-searing?
You can! Arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 6-8 minutes, until pink and opaque. You won’t get the same deep sear, but it’s a great hands-off method. You can then make the garlic butter sauce separately in a small pan and drizzle it over after baking.

What can I substitute for everything bagel seasoning?
In a pinch, you can create a similar flavor profile by mixing toasted sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, and a little flaky salt. It won’t be identical, but it’ll get you in the ballpark. Alternatively, a good garlic-herb seasoning blend would also work wonderfully.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently warm them in a skillet over low heat with a tiny splash of water or stock to keep them from drying out. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the shrimp rubbery.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, it is naturally gluten-free! Just double-check the label on your everything bagel seasoning, as very rarely some brands might include additives with gluten, but the vast majority are safe for a gluten-free diet.