Protein Power: 6 Easy Ways To Eat Shrimp

Maybe you’ve been avoiding shrimp in the kitchen, and we get it. With their veins and shells, those little buggers can be pretty damn intimidating.

But here’s the thing: if you buy the right type, this protein-packed seafood (21 grams per serving) actually cooks quickly—and preparation requires very little technique or skill. “Shrimp offers heart-healthy omegas, B12, and selenium, an antioxidant that boosts immunity,” says Robyn Youkilis, nutritionist and healthy cooking expert. “Plus it helps protect against heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.”

So what should you buy? Frozen or fresh varieties work equally well, says Youkilis, but if you’re buying frozen, look for packages labeled “flash-frozen,” which will taste fresher once thawed. Simply place those little guys in a bowl of cold water to defrost, then remove that little dark vein before cooking—digging in with a little paring knife should do the trick.

Oh, and one last piece of good news: Unlike other types of fish or seafood, shellfish has little-to-no mercury, meaning it can be consumed up to three times a week. Ready to get started? Here are six easy ways to work shrimp into your diet.

See also: Protein Power – Salmon>>

Want a meal that doesn’t even require you to turn on the oven? Try a hearty shrimp salad. Here's one we love: Start by cooking 4 ounces of bacon in a large pan, then add deveined shrimp. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5 more minutes, until shrimp is opaque. Transfer bacon and shrimp to a serving bowl, and add a 15-ounce can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans (they’ll pack even more protein into your meal). Mix all ingredients together, then serve over fresh spinach or arugula, topped with balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

See also: Mayo-Free Shrimp Salad Recipe>>

For an impressive but safe shrimp marinade—you really can’t mess this one up—Youkilis recommends olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, red pepper flakes, and a ton of parsley or cilantro. Just rub it on your shrimp before grilling. (FYI: This is one recipe where it’s okay to be as heavy-handed with the ingredients as you want.) Make it a meal by adding a nutrient-packed side, like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.

For how gourmet it tastes, roasting shrimp is a surprisingly simple cooking method. It caramelizes the shrimp, intensifying their flavors and bringing out a natural sweetness. Impress your girlfriend by tossing shrimp in an olive oil and salt mixture, putting them in the oven at 400 degrees for six minutes, and then serving over whole-wheat pasta. That’s it. You’re done. (But if you want to go all out, add roasted peppers or tomatoes to the mix as well.)