25 Sauces For Shrimp – Easy Homemade Dips

Explore this list of 25 delicious shrimp sauces and discover the versatility of shrimp ! Dive into rich, creamy concoctions like Alfredo and Creamy Lemon Sauce, move onto zesty selections such as Chimichurri and Lemon Garlic Butter, and heat things up with spicy Sriracha Mayo.

Whether you’re grilling, frying, or boiling your shrimp, the perfect sauce can elevate your dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Each sauce has been carefully selected for its ability to complement the delicate sweetness of shrimp, bringing out its natural flavors and creating a culinary masterpiece that’s sure to impress.

1 Classic Garlic Butter Sauce

A Timeless Classic

When it comes to sauces for shrimp, you can’t go wrong with a classic garlic butter sauce. It’s a simple, flavorful, and incredibly versatile sauce that pairs well with virtually any shrimp dish. Garlic’s robust flavor complements the sweetness of shrimp, while butter adds richness and depth.

Elevate Any Dish

This sauce can quickly elevate a simple shrimp dish into a gourmet meal. It’s perfect for sautéing shrimp or as a dipping sauce for grilled or boiled shrimp. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also quick and easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients.

Modify as Needed

Don’t be afraid to modify the recipe to suit your taste. Add a dash of lemon juice for acidity or a sprinkle of chili flakes for a kick. With this sauce, you’re always in control. Check this recipe.

2 Creamy Lemon Sauce

A Refreshing Choice

For a light and refreshing sauce for your shrimp, consider a creamy lemon sauce. The tangy citrus flavor cuts through the creaminess of the sauce, creating a perfect balance. It enhances the natural sweetness of the shrimp without overpowering it.

Versatile and Delightful

This sauce is not only great with shrimp but works with many other seafood options. You can pour it over grilled shrimp, use it as a dip, or mix it with pasta for a satisfying seafood dish. It’s an excellent choice for a summertime meal or when you’re looking for something light and flavorful.

Tailor to Your Preference

Feel free to adjust the recipe based on your personal preferences. Add more lemon for a sharper flavor, or increase the cream for a richer texture. The possibilities are endless with this delightful sauce. Check this recipe.

3 Spicy Sriracha Sauce

A Spicy Option

If you like your food with a kick, a spicy Sriracha sauce is a great option for shrimp. The hot chili sauce provides a fiery flavor that complements the sweet shrimp. With the addition of honey and garlic, it becomes a symphony of flavors that’s sure to please your palate.

Ideal for Different Preparations

This sauce is versatile and works well with various shrimp dishes. It can be a fantastic marinade for grilled shrimp, a dipping sauce, or you can toss fried shrimp in it for a zesty appetizer.

Adjust to Your Liking

You can easily adapt the sauce to your heat tolerance. If you want it milder, reduce the Sriracha quantity, or increase it if you prefer it spicier. Customizing the sauce to your liking can make your shrimp dish even more enjoyable. Check this recipe.

4 Coconut Curry Sauce

An Exotic Twist

For an exotic twist on your shrimp dish, try a coconut curry sauce. This sauce combines the creamy richness of coconut milk with the aromatic and warming spices of curry. It’s an exciting blend of flavors that pairs beautifully with shrimp.

Expand Your Culinary Horizons

A coconut curry sauce can take your shrimp dish to a whole new level. It’s an excellent way to introduce a different cuisine to your table and expand your culinary horizons. Whether you’re serving it over rice or with naan bread, it’s sure to be a hit.

Adjust According to Taste

Feel free to tweak the recipe to your preference. Use a milder or hotter curry powder to control the heat, or add more coconut milk for a creamier texture. The sauce can be as personalized as you want it to be. Check this recipe.

5 Cajun Cream Sauce

A Southern Delight

Experience the flavors of the south with a Cajun cream sauce for your shrimp. This sauce is a delicious blend of cream, garlic, and Cajun spices that provides a spicy kick. It’s a fantastic way to add some heat and depth to your shrimp dish.

Impress Your Guests

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or hosting a dinner party, this sauce is sure to impress. It pairs well with both pasta and rice, making it a versatile choice. And despite its complex flavor profile, it’s surprisingly easy to make.

Tailor to Your Liking

As with any sauce, feel free to tailor it to your tastes. You can adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the spice level or add other herbs and spices to make it your own. Check this recipe.

6 Sweet Chili Sauce

An Asian Inspiration

A sweet chili sauce is a delightful combination of sweet and spicy flavors, commonly used in Asian cuisine. It’s a fantastic complement to shrimp, offering a tangy kick that enhances the seafood’s natural sweetness.

Perfect for Many Dishes

This versatile sauce can be used in a variety of ways with shrimp – as a marinade, glaze, dipping sauce, or stir-fry sauce. It’s a great way to add an Asian twist to your favorite shrimp dishes.

Customize to Your Taste

As with any sauce, you can modify this recipe to suit your palate. Add more chili for a spicier kick or increase the sweetness with extra sugar or honey. Check this recipe.

7 Cilantro Lime Sauce

A Zesty Option

Cilantro lime sauce is a light, zesty option that pairs wonderfully with shrimp. The fresh, herbal notes of cilantro and the tangy burst of lime create a refreshing and vibrant sauce that enhances shrimp’s flavor.

Great for Summer Meals

This sauce is perfect for grilling season, offering a bright and fresh flavor profile that’s ideal for outdoor dining. It can be used as a marinade for shrimp skewers or as a dressing for shrimp salad.

Personalize to Your Preference

Don’t hesitate to adjust this recipe to your liking. Add extra lime for more tang, or include a dash of chili flakes for some heat. Check this recipe.

8 Honey Mustard Sauce

A Sweet and Tangy Blend

Honey mustard sauce is a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors that perfectly complements shrimp. The sweetness of the honey balances the tangy mustard, creating a uniquely delicious sauce.

Read also: 26 Sauces For Fries 

Ideal for Various Preparations

This versatile sauce is ideal for different shrimp preparations – you can use it as a marinade, dipping sauce, or glaze. It’s a delightful addition to any shrimp dish, adding depth and richness of flavor.

Adapt to Your Liking

As with other sauces, feel free to adjust this recipe to your liking. Add more mustard for a tangier sauce, or increase the honey for a sweeter profile. Check this recipe.

9 Garlic Parmesan Sauce

A Creamy Delight

Garlic parmesan sauce is a creamy, flavorful sauce that adds a luxurious touch to shrimp. The bold flavors of garlic and parmesan cheese create a rich, savory sauce that enhances the shrimp’s sweetness.

Perfect for Italian Dishes

This sauce is a perfect addition to Italian dishes. It pairs wonderfully with shrimp pasta or risotto, creating a meal that’s both delicious and satisfying.

Modify as Needed

You can easily modify this recipe to suit your taste. Add more garlic for a bolder flavor or increase the parmesan for extra creaminess and cheesiness. Check this recipe.

10 Mango Salsa

A Fruity Twist

Mango salsa offers a fresh, fruity twist to your shrimp dish. The sweetness of the mango pairs beautifully with the tanginess of the lime and the heat from the jalapenos, creating a flavorful contrast to the shrimp.

Great for Summer Meals

Mango salsa is an excellent choice for a light summer meal. It’s refreshing and light, perfect for serving with grilled shrimp or shrimp tacos.

Adjust to Your Liking

Feel free to adjust this recipe to your liking. You can add more jalapenos for extra heat, or include other fruits like pineapple or peach for a different flavor profile. Check this recipe.

11 Teriyaki Sauce

An Asian Classic

Teriyaki sauce, a classic in Asian cuisine, is a sweet and tangy sauce that pairs wonderfully with shrimp. The combination of soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and ginger creates a deeply flavorful and aromatic sauce.

Versatile and Delicious

Teriyaki sauce can be used in many ways – as a marinade, a glaze, or a dipping sauce. Its versatility and unique flavor make it a fantastic addition to any shrimp dish.

Personalize Your Sauce

You can easily adjust the sweetness or saltiness to your liking, or add other ingredients like garlic or chili for extra flavor. Check this recipe.

12 Tartar Sauce

A Seafood Staple

Tartar sauce, a staple with seafood dishes, is a creamy and tangy sauce that complements shrimp perfectly. The combination of mayonnaise, pickles, and lemon juice creates a refreshing flavor profile that contrasts the shrimp’s sweetness.

Ideal for Fried Shrimp

Tartar sauce is the perfect accompaniment for fried shrimp, offering a tangy contrast to the crisp, golden crust. It’s also excellent as a dip for boiled or grilled shrimp.

Customizable to Your Liking

You can modify this sauce to suit your taste by adding other ingredients like capers, dill, or mustard. Check this recipe.

13 Cocktail Sauce

A Shrimp Cocktail Must-Have

Cocktail sauce is a must-have for a shrimp cocktail. Its tangy, slightly spicy flavor is the perfect accompaniment for chilled, cooked shrimp. The blend of ketchup, horseradish, and lemon juice is simple yet effective.

Ideal for Cold Shrimp

This sauce is ideal for cold, boiled shrimp but can also be used as a dip for fried shrimp. It’s a traditional favorite that never goes out of style.

Adjust to Your Preference

Feel free to adjust the spiciness to your liking by adding more or less horseradish, or add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for an extra depth of flavor. Check this recipe.

14 Chimichurri Sauce

A Latin American Specialty

Chimichurri sauce, a specialty in Latin American cuisine, is a fresh and zesty sauce that complements shrimp beautifully. The blend of parsley, garlic, vinegar, and chili flakes creates a vibrant, flavorful sauce that enhances the seafood’s natural sweetness.

Great for Grilled Shrimp

Chimichurri is particularly delicious with grilled shrimp, offering a burst of fresh, herby flavors that cuts through the smoky char. It can also be used as a marinade to infuse the shrimp with flavor before cooking.

Customizable to Your Palate

You can modify this sauce to suit your taste by adjusting the amount of chili for heat, or adding cilantro for a different flavor profile. Check this recipe.

15 Pesto Sauce

An Italian Favorite

Pesto sauce, a beloved Italian sauce, is a fragrant and flavorful choice for shrimp. The combination of basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese creates a rich, aromatic sauce that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of shrimp.

Perfect for Pasta Dishes

Pesto is perfect for pasta dishes with shrimp, creating a satisfying meal that’s full of flavor. It can also be used as a marinade or a topping for grilled or sautéed shrimp.

Adaptable to Your Liking

As with other sauces, feel free to adjust this recipe to suit your preferences. Add more garlic for a punch, or substitute the pine nuts with almonds or walnuts for a different nutty flavor. Check this recipe.

16 Buffalo Sauce

A Spicy Kick

Buffalo sauce offers a spicy kick to shrimp dishes, perfect for those who enjoy a little heat. The combination of hot sauce, vinegar, and butter creates a tangy, spicy, and slightly creamy sauce that’s incredibly flavorful.

Ideal for Shrimp Appetizers

Buffalo sauce is particularly great for shrimp appetizers, such as buffalo shrimp skewers or buffalo shrimp dip. The spicy sauce adds a pop of flavor that will have your guests coming back for more.

Adjust to Your Heat Tolerance

You can easily adjust the spiciness of this sauce to your liking, using less or more hot sauce depending on your heat tolerance. Check this recipe.

17 Ginger Scallion Sauce

An Asian Delight

Ginger scallion sauce is a classic in Chinese cuisine, offering a burst of fresh, aromatic flavors that pair perfectly with shrimp. The combination of ginger, scallions, and soy sauce creates a flavorful and versatile sauce.

Versatile for Many Dishes

This sauce can be used in many ways – as a marinade, a topping, or a stir-fry sauce. Its fresh, vibrant flavor profile complements shrimp’s sweetness and adds an Asian flair to your dishes.

Customize to Your Taste

As with any sauce, you can adjust the recipe to suit your taste. Add more ginger for a bolder flavor or include a dash of sesame oil for extra richness. Check this recipe.

18 Old Bay Butter Sauce

A Classic Seafood Companion

Old Bay butter sauce is a classic pairing with seafood, including shrimp. The iconic blend of Old Bay seasoning, butter, and lemon juice creates a savory, flavorful sauce with just the right amount of kick.

Perfect for Grilled or Boiled Shrimp

This sauce is perfect for grilled or boiled shrimp, adding a savory, slightly spicy touch that complements the sweet shrimp. It’s a simple sauce that makes a big impact.

Adjust to Your Preference

Feel free to adjust this recipe to your liking. Add more Old Bay for a spicier flavor or more lemon juice for extra tang. Check this recipe.

19 Soy Garlic Sauce

A Savory Asian Fusion

Soy garlic sauce is a savory, slightly sweet sauce that works beautifully with shrimp. The combination of soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of sugar creates a rich, umami flavor that enhances the natural sweetness of shrimp.

Great for Stir-Fries

This sauce is ideal for shrimp stir-fries, providing a flavorful coating that clings to the shrimp and other ingredients. It can also be used as a marinade to flavor the shrimp before cooking.

Customizable to Your Liking

As with other sauces, you can adjust this recipe to your taste. Add more garlic for a stronger flavor or include a splash of sesame oil for a nutty touch. Check this recipe.

20 Hollandaise Sauce

A Luxurious Addition

Hollandaise sauce is a creamy, buttery sauce with a slight tang, thanks to the addition of lemon juice. This luxurious sauce adds a touch of elegance to shrimp dishes, perfectly complementing the shrimp’s sweetness.

Ideal for Brunch or Dinner

Hollandaise is typically served with eggs benedict, but it’s also a delicious accompaniment to shrimp for a brunch or dinner dish. It can be drizzled over grilled, sautéed, or boiled shrimp for a rich and indulgent meal.

Tailor to Your Taste

Feel free to adjust this recipe to suit your palate. You can add more lemon juice for extra tang or include a pinch of cayenne pepper for a hint of spice. Check this recipe.

21 Mornay Sauce

A Cheesy Indulgence

Mornay sauce is a creamy, cheesy sauce that pairs wonderfully with shrimp. It’s essentially a béchamel sauce with shredded cheese, typically Gruyère, creating a rich and indulgent sauce that enhances the shrimp’s flavor.

Perfect for Shrimp Au Gratin

This sauce is perfect for making shrimp au gratin, providing a creamy and cheesy layer that broils to a golden brown. It can also be used in a shrimp pasta dish for a satisfying meal.

Modify as Needed

You can easily modify this recipe to suit your taste. Add more cheese for extra creaminess or include a dash of nutmeg for a hint of warmth. Check this recipe.

22 Avocado Crema

A Creamy, Healthy Option

Avocado crema is a healthy, creamy sauce that pairs beautifully with shrimp. The blend of ripe avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and lime juice creates a smooth, tangy sauce that’s full of healthy fats.

Ideal for Shrimp Tacos

This sauce is ideal for shrimp tacos, providing a creamy contrast to the spicy shrimp. It can also be used as a dip or spread for various shrimp appetizers.

Personalize Your Crema

Feel free to adjust this recipe to your liking. Add more lime juice for extra tang, or include cilantro for a fresh, herbal touch. Check this recipe.

23 Romesco Sauce

A Spanish Delight

Romesco sauce is a rich and flavorful Spanish sauce that pairs perfectly with shrimp. The combination of roasted red peppers, almonds, garlic, and vinegar creates a complex, nutty, and slightly tangy sauce.

Read also: 19 Best Sauce Recipes 

Versatile and Delicious

Romesco sauce is a versatile addition to many dishes. It can be used as a dipping sauce, a marinade, or a topping for grilled or sautéed shrimp, adding a unique Spanish flair to your meal.

Adjust to Your Liking

As with other sauces, you can adjust the recipe to your taste. Add more garlic for a stronger flavor or include a touch of smoked paprika for a smoky note. Check this recipe.

24 Aioli Sauce

A Mediterranean Favorite

Aioli is a creamy and garlicky sauce that complements shrimp beautifully. Traditionally made with garlic, olive oil, and sometimes egg yolks, it creates a rich, flavorful sauce that enhances the sweetness of the shrimp.

Perfect for Dipping

Aioli is perfect as a dipping sauce for boiled or fried shrimp, offering a creamy and garlicky contrast to the sweet shrimp. It can also be used as a spread for shrimp sandwiches or burgers.

Customizable to Your Preference

You can customize aioli to your taste, adding more garlic for a stronger flavor or including herbs like dill or parsley for a fresh twist. Check this recipe.

25 Sriracha Mayo

A Spicy and Creamy Combo

Sriracha mayo is a spicy, creamy sauce that adds a kick to shrimp dishes. The combination of mayonnaise and Sriracha sauce creates a simple yet flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of shrimp.

Ideal for Shrimp Tacos and Rolls

This sauce is ideal for shrimp tacos or shrimp rolls, providing a spicy, creamy layer that contrasts the shrimp. It’s also excellent as a dipping sauce for fried or grilled shrimp.

Adapt to Your Liking

You can easily adjust the spiciness of this sauce to your liking, using less or more Sriracha depending on your heat tolerance. Check this recipe.