The Ultimate Southern Pickled Shrimp
Learn how to make the best Southern Pickled Shrimp! This easy, make-ahead recipe is full of Gulf Coast flavor and perfect served cold for holidays, parties, or casual gatherings.
Servings: 8
Calories: 297kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 pound large or jumbo shrimp - peeled and devained
- ½ teaspoon celery seeds
- ½ teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup flat leaf parsley - chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
- 4 bay leaves
- 1 lemon - sliced very thin
- ½ onion - sliced very thin
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring 6 cups water and Old Bay seasoning to a boil. Add shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes, until shrimp are pink. Remove shrimp and place in a bowl with ice water to cool. Drain shrimp when chilled.
- Add celery seed and coriander seed to a zip top bag and crush with a heavy object - I use a rolling pin. Place in a medium size bowl.
- Add olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, parsley, red pepper, salt, garlic and bay leaves. Stir, mixing well.
- In a glass jar or serving bowl, layer onions, shrimp and lemons. Pour pickling brine over layers. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator overnight until ready to serve.
Notes
Leftovers: Pickled shrimp will keep for up to 1 week in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. Just make sure the shrimp stays fully covered in the brine so it stays fresh and flavorful.
Frozen Shrimp: Frozen shrimp work great in this recipe! Let them thaw overnight in the fridge, or speed things up by rinsing them under cool water in a colander for about 10–15 minutes. Be sure to pat them dry before cooking so they soak up the brine.
Recipe Variations:
For a Louisiana Kick - Swap in a Cajun or Creole seasoning blend and stir in a splash of Louisiana hot sauce. You can also add thinly sliced green bell pepper for that classic Bayou flavor.
For a Classic Lowcountry Style - Use fresh dill as your main herb and add a spoonful of capers to bring in that briny, coastal touch inspired by Charleston and Savannah.
For a Spicy Twist - Love heat? Keep the red pepper flakes but add a thinly sliced jalapeño for a bright, spicy boost.
Nutrition
Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 1199mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 331IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg