Savor the Flavor: Easy & Delicious Head-On Shrimp Baked to Perfection

Craving a meal that’s both incredibly delicious and remarkably simple to prepare? Look no further than this head-on shrimp baked with a tantalizing butter and chili paste glaze. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this flavorful dish comes together, ready to grace your table in under 20 minutes!

Don’t let the sight of head-on shrimp intimidate you. While they might appear a little different, cooking them at home is a breeze, and the resulting taste is simply divine. The secret lies in leaving the shells intact during the cooking process. As the shrimp bake, their shells infuse the flesh with an even more intense and rich “shrimpy” flavor that seafood enthusiasts truly adore.

This recipe elevates the humble shrimp with a simple yet incredibly effective flavor combination. We’ll be baking the shrimp in a luscious mixture of melted butter, savory soy sauce, fiery chili paste, and fragrant sesame oil. The result is a dish bursting with umami and a delightful hint of spice.

Looking for more exciting shrimp recipes to explore? Be sure to check out our other popular creations:

• Cajun Shrimp with Homemade Cajun Butter: A taste of the bayou with a zesty homemade butter.
• Cilantro Lime Shrimp: A refreshing and vibrant dish with a citrusy kick.
• My Favorite Shrimp Salad: A classic favorite with a delightful twist.

Key Ingredients for Shrimp Perfection:

To create this culinary masterpiece, you’ll need a few key ingredients:

• Shrimp: If you can get your hands on them, opt for fresh extra-large head-on shrimp (or prawns). The heads contribute significantly to the overall flavor. If head-on shrimp aren’t readily available, don’t worry! Fresh or thawed shrimp without the heads will work perfectly well.
• Butter: We recommend using salted butter for its convenience and added flavor. However, if you only have unsalted butter on hand, simply add a pinch of salt to your butter mixture to achieve the desired seasoning.
• Soy Sauce: A touch of light soy sauce or light tamari adds a wonderful depth of flavor and a hint of umami to the dish.
• Chili Paste: For that perfect kick, we love using Sambal Oelek. This versatile chili paste is made with crushed raw red chilies, a touch of vinegar, and salt, offering a vibrant and authentic heat. You can usually find it in the international aisle or near the soy sauce in most grocery stores. If you can’t locate Sambal Oelek, don’t fret! Sriracha or Gochujang can serve as excellent substitutes, each offering their own unique flavor profile. We also use Sambal Oelek in our popular Spicy Garlic Ginger Edamame.
• Sesame Oil: A small drizzle of toasted sesame oil elevates the dish with its distinctive nutty aroma and flavor. It adds an extra layer of complexity that makes the shrimp truly irresistible. If you don’t have sesame oil readily available, you can certainly omit it without compromising the overall deliciousness of the dish.
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How to Create Your Delicious Chili Butter Head-On Shrimp:

This head-on shrimp recipe is remarkably easy to prepare, especially considering how impressive these beautifully cooked shrimp look when presented. While the recipe suggests that one pound of shrimp serves two as a satisfying dinner portion, these delectable shrimp also make an incredible appetizer for entertaining guests or adding a touch of elegance to your parties!

Here’s how to make this tasty dish come to life:

1. Prepare the Flavorful Glaze: Begin by melting your butter. Once melted, whisk in the soy sauce, chili paste, and sesame oil until well combined.
2. Coat the Shrimp: In a bowl, toss the shrimp with the flavorful butter mixture. You might notice that the butter starts to solidify slightly, especially if your shrimp are straight from the refrigerator. Don’t worry about this; the heat of the oven will melt it perfectly.
3. Bake to Perfection: Spread the coated shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. High Heat for Quick Cooking: We want to cook the shrimp quickly to ensure they remain tender and juicy. Therefore, we’ll bake them at a high oven temperature of 400°F (approximately 200°C). At this temperature, the shrimp will cook beautifully in about 8 minutes.
5. Know When They’re Done: You’ll know the shrimp are perfectly cooked when their shells turn a vibrant bright red and the flesh feels firm to the touch.
6. Serve Immediately: Once cooked, serve the shrimp promptly. They will continue to steam slightly in their shells, further enhancing their flavor.

Enjoying Your Head-On Shrimp:

To truly savor the full experience of head-on shrimp, here’s a little tip:

1. Savor the Head: Gently pull off the heads and, if you’re feeling adventurous, gently suck out the flavorful juices within – it’s a truly delicious and concentrated burst of shrimpy goodness!
2. Peel and Enjoy: Then, peel the shrimp as you normally would and enjoy the succulent, perfectly cooked flesh.

This simple yet incredibly flavorful head-on shrimp recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your culinary repertoire. Enjoy the ease of preparation and the explosion of delicious flavors!