Shrimp get even better with this tart and scrumptious lime sauce! Whip up this easy shrimp with dipping sauce appetizer for your next party….or you might want to just make it for yourself and call it dinner!
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Why we love this recipe ❤️
I do love my shrimp recipes. From shrimp with beer (basic) to shrimp scampi ravioli (schmancy) to my millions of variations on shrimp and grits (necessary for life with the Southern husband), there’s a reason that we buy shrimp in bulk.
But sometimes just regular old shrimp cooked up with Old Bay seasoning and a little lime juice is just plain perfect. Especially if you have a small bowl of tart and creamy lime dipping sauce to dunk them into!
This is a fantastic appetizer that comes together in about 15 minutes, and the Southern husband and I have been known to have this and only this for dinner. Well, along with a peach margarita. 🍹
Ingredients you need 🍤
Ingredient notes and substitutions 📝
- Shrimp: We recommend large shrimp for this recipe, although it will work with any size. If you want to make this recipe even speedier, you can get the pre-shelled kind!
- Old Bay: Look for this seafood seasoning in the spice aisle of your supermarket.
- Mayonnaise: You can use either regular or light mayo for this recipe…or if you are feeling extra energetic you can make your own mayo with this easy recipe!
- Mustard: We like traditional Dijon mustard with this recipe, but any mustard will work.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
How to make this recipe 👩🏻🍳
The secret to really delectable shrimp no matter how you are cooking them is not to overcook them. We want them tender and flavorable and not the least bit rubbery, and until you are used to this, it’s going to take some bravery on your part.
As in, leave them in the simmering water for no more than 3 minutes. I promise they will be done. And since you will have flavored up that water with a generous spoonful of Old Bay and some generous squeezings of fresh lime juice, they will not only be done, they will be perfect. Here we go!
STEP 1: Add some Old Bay seasoning and a squeeze of lime juice to a pot of water (about 6 cups or so). Bring it to a boil, add the shrimp and cook them for 3 minutes. Drain them and let them cool.
STEP 2: While the shrimp are cooling, mix up this quick and easy dipping sauce: a little mayo, a little Dijon mustard, a little lime juice and a little brown sugar. Stir it up until everything is nice and smooth – I sometimes use my little teeny mini food processor to do this if I am feeling especially lazy.
STEP 3: Now all that is left to do is, well, start dunking. This makes a lovely light appetizer, and if you add a glass of wine (or a margarita!), you might just find that you don’t even need to make dinner!
Recipe FAQs 🧐
Now, you don’t HAVE to take the vein (that dark line up the back of the shrimp) out, but lots of folks prefer their shrimpies that way. Pull off the shell by wiggling it apart at the bottom of the shrimp. Once the shell is off, cut a shallow line along the top of the shrimp where the vein is, pull it out with the tip of the knife and…you’re done! Put the shrimp shells in a zippered plastic bag when you toss them out, because if they sit in your trash can for more than a few hours…well, I’ll let you use your imagination.
Old Bay is a seafood seasoning that is a mixture of celery salt, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, paprika and a few others. You can find it in the spice aisle of your grocery store, and it adds a delightful flavor to your shrimpies. And if you want to try your hand at mixing up your own, here’s a recipe for the homemade version!
Usually yes, but since these shrimp have been cooked with that flavorful Old Bay seasoning, we don’t want to rinse that off. We recommend using your biggest strainer so the shrimp have as much space as possible to cool down.
It can! Make sure you store the shrimp and the sauce in the fridge…they will both keep for a day.
Pop your question in the Comments section under the recipe card and I will answer pronto!
Equipment we used for this recipe 🥣
These are some of my favorite kitchen tools! These are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a little something if you buy through my links at no extra cost to you. (Which helps pay for all that bacon I keep buying! 😄) And I only share things I use and love. I’m so grateful for your support!
- Citrus Juicer: There’s a reason your favorite bar has this one – it is perfect for juicing lemons and limes and catching the seeds.
- Strainer: We love this for draining everything from these shrimpies to the pasta for our favorite pasta supper.
- Mini Food Processor: This gadget is perfect for chopping or mixing small things…and it also has attachments for an immersion blender and a whisk. I LOVE MINE.
- Prep Bowls: Just right for serving little sauces.
Other summery shrimp recipes we love! 💗
Looking for more seafood ideas? Here is our complete collection of seafood recipes!
We want to know what you think! 🤔
If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below the recipe card.
Shrimp with Lime Dipping Sauce
Shrimp get even better with this tart and scrumptious lime sauce! Whip up this easy shrimp with dipping sauce appetizer for your next party….or you might want to just make it for yourself and call it dinner!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2 as a light main course and 4 as an appetizer
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
- I pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/8 cup Old Bay seasoning
- Juice from 2 limes
For The Lime Sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Juice from 1 lime
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Add Old Bay, lime juice and 4 cups of water to a pot and bring to a low boil. Add the shrimp and simmer for 3 minutes. Drain and cool.
- Mix all the sauce ingredients together thoroughly. Transfer to a small bowl.
- Arrange the shrimp on a platter around the bowl, and serve with extra lime wedges.
Notes
- Shrimp: We recommend large shrimp for this recipe, although it will work with any size. If you want to make this recipe even speedier, you can get the pre-shelled kind!
- Old Bay: Look for this seafood seasoning in the spice aisle of your supermarket.
- Mayonnaise: You can use either regular or light mayo for this recipe…or if you are feeling extra energetic you can make your own mayo with this easy recipe!
- Mustard: We like traditional Dijon mustard with this recipe, but any mustard will work.
Pete says
So simple and different from a regular shrimp cocktail. Definitely going to make this again!
Hi Pete and yes! It’s great to shake up an old fave. :)
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I think everyone loves shrimp like this…especially as an appetizer at a party. This nice thing is that it is so easy to put together.
Right? That way we get to spend some time at the party and less time in the kitchen! :)
Susan says
This looks like a delicious treat, as shrimp has been on my mind for awhile. Maybe tonight! Thanks, Kate.
Shrimp ALWAYS seem to be on my mind! :) Hope you love these ones as much as we do.