Hawaiian Style Garlic Shrimp

Hawaiian shrimp is an easy, garlicky dish inspired by the legendary food trucks of Hawaii-featuring tender shrimp tossed in a succulent garlic butter sauce for a flavor-loaded meal ready in under 20 minutes.

If you love Shrimp as much as I do, try Dynamite Shrimp and Cajun Stuffed Shrimp next.

What Is Hawaiian Shrimp?

"Hawaiian shrimp" typically refers to plump, juicy shrimp quickly sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce and often served over rice, pasta, or tropical sides. Popularized by roadside shrimp trucks on Oahu's North Shore, this comfort food has earned global fame for its intense garlicky flavors, easy preparation, and fresh seafood appeal.

Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp is so quick and easy! Especially if you love garlic. Enjoy it  with a bowl of rice or your favorite pasta of choice! You'll love these spicy garlicky shrimp which are on the table in less than 20 minutes.

Ingredient Breakdown

• Shrimp: Choose large or jumbo wild-caught shrimp for best flavor and texture. Shrimp's mild taste absorbs the seasoning and garlic sauce wonderfully. Not sure what you're actually buying? I talk about labels, IQF shrimp, and which ones to avoid in Which Shrimp to Buy.
• Butter: Infuses the shrimp with creamy richness and helps create a silky, restaurant-quality sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used in tandem with butter to boost flavor, achieve a golden sear, and prevent burning.
• Garlic: Delivers the signature bold, aromatic punch-use fresh, minced garlic for best results.
• Paprika: Adds gentle heat, smoky undertones, and color.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for bringing out the seafood's natural flavor.
• Flour: Helps create a thin, crispy coating on each shrimp while ensuring a satisfying texture.
• Parsley (optional): For fresh, herby garnish-alternative garnishes like cilantro offer a flavor twist.

How to make the best Hawaiian Shrimp

Prep Shrimp: Clean, thaw, and devein shrimp as needed. Pat dry to help the coating stick and encourage browning.

Season and Coat: In a large resealable bag, combine paprika, salt, pepper, and flour-then add shrimp and shake to fully coat.

Make Garlic Butter: Melt butter in a large skillet. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant but not browned-remove to prevent burning.

Sear Shrimp: Heat olive oil in the same skillet. Add shrimp in batches (don't overcrowd) and cook on each side for just a few minutes. Shrimp should turn pink and opaque with slight golden edges.

Combine and Garnish: Return cooked garlic to the skillet, toss with shrimp, reheat, and finish with chopped parsley or your chosen garnish.

Serve Hot: Spoon Hawaiian shrimp over a bowl of steamed rice, pasta, or coleslaw as a main dish or appetizer.

Pro Tips for Hawaiian Shrimp Success

• Choose the right shrimp to buy: I used large, or sometimes called, jumbo shrimp in this recipe. You will get about 18 shrimp per pound. Try to buy wild caught shrimp, but sadly most shrimp sold in the supermarkets is farm raised.
• Tail-On or Tail-Off: Leaving tails on makes shrimp easier to pick up and gives a more authentic appearance, but removing tails can aid in saucy dishes or kid-friendly plating.
• Make sure to thaw you shrimp (if frozen): What I usually do is take the shrimp out of its package, put it in a bowl or colander in the sink, and run cold water over them for about 5 minutes. Toss the shrimp occasionally to make sure they are all exposed to the cold water.
• Add seasonings and flour to the resealable plastic bag: Make sure that the bag is large enough to toss the shrimp!
• Put shrimp into that bag, seal it and shake! This will ensure that shrimp will be coated in seasoning mixture. Mix well until shrimp is coated well in salt, pepper, paprika, and flour. Shrimp have a mild flavor so they take on whatever flavor you're serving them with.
• Don't Overcook Shrimp: High heat and minimal cook time prevent rubbery shrimp-flip only once for best texture.
• Garlic Timing Matters: Sauté garlic first but remove before cooking shrimp to preserve its flavor and avoid bitterness.
• Batch Cooking: Sear shrimp in batches to maximize caramelization-overcrowded pans lead to steaming rather than browning.
• Spice It Up: Add chili flakes, hot sauce, or smoked paprika for an extra kick, or swap parsley for cilantro for island flair.
• For even more shrimp tips, check out this article on how to cook shrimp.

Hawaiian Shrimp FAQ

Is shrimp healthy?
Yes, shrimp is high in lean protein, vitamins, minerals, omega-3s, and is low in both fat and carbohydrate-making it a nutritious choice.

Does it work cold or as make-ahead?
Perfectly! Hawaiian shrimp makes delicious cold bowls or taco fillings and travels well for parties.

Can I use frozen shrimp?
Absolutely-thaw first under cold water before proceeding.

Can I customize the spice level?
Add chili powder, cayenne, or extra paprika to taste; alter garnishes for your flavor preference.

Do I need fresh herbs?
No-dried parsley or cilantro can substitute, but fresh herbs deliver the best finish.

What's the point of leaving the tail on the shrimp?

Leaving the shrimp tail on or is a matter of personal preference, but here are a couple of things to keep in mind. Shrimp shells are quite flavorful and can impart that flavor into the surrounding dish. However when the shrimp are cooked for just a couple of minutes, as it is here so it's unlikely the tail imparts any flavor.

Yet, when you leave the tail on, the shrimp is easier to pick up! I also think that shrimp look nicer with the tails on.

Serving Suggestions

• Classic Plate Lunch: Serve Hawaiian shrimp atop steamed white rice or coconut rice for a true Hawaiian food truck experience.
• With Pasta: Toss shrimp and garlic sauce over linguine or Garlic Butter Spaghetti.
• Shrimp Tacos: Spoon garlicky shrimp into warm tortillas with slaw and pineapple salsa.
• Appetizer Style: Arrange shrimp with a dipping sauce (like Mayploy sweet chili) for elegant party bites.

Essential Equipment

• Large 12 inch carbon steel skillet

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

• Protein Alternative: This technique works for scallops or chicken bites with similar results.
• Cajun Twist: Swap paprika for Cajun or Creole seasoning for a Southern spin.
• Gluten-Free: Use cornmeal, rice flour, or gluten-free flour blend for coating.
• Dairy-Free: Replace butter with plant-based spread or just olive oil.
• Herb Switch: Use cilantro, scallions, or lemon zest for a different flavor.

Storage and Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet to maintain texture.
• Serve Cold: Hawaiian shrimp works beautifully cold-try chilled shrimp bowls or cold pasta salads for summer gatherings.
• Make Ahead: Prep the coating and garlic butter ahead for ultra-fast weeknight assembly.

More delicious shrimp recipes

• Dynamite Shrimp Appetizer
• Pesto Shrimp Pasta
• Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage