The 10 Best Diabetes Shrimp Recipes from a Dietitian

Think you have to give up shrimp just because you have diabetes? Think again! Packed with lean protein and almost no carbohydrates, shrimp is a delicious way to support blood sugar management.

To prove it, I put together the ultimate list of diabetes-friendly shrimp recipes. Whether you’re craving zesty shrimp tacos or savory shrimp skewers, there’s something here for everyone in these dietitian created dishes.

Is Shrimp good for diabetes?

Definitely! Shrimp is a heart-healthy way to boost your protein intake without taking in extra saturated fats or carbohydrates.

You may have heard that shrimp is high in cholesterol, but research suggests that the cholesterol in food has little effect on our blood cholesterol. Meaning that if you eat shrimp, it won’t be detrimental to your cholesterol as was once previously thought.

The saturated and trans fats we consume impact our cholesterol levels more than dietary cholesterol—and shrimp contains minimal saturated or trans fats.

Instead, you’ll get 20 grams of lean protein in a 3-ounce serving of shrimp along with 84 calories, 0 grams of carbohydrates, and 0 grams of fat.

It’s also packed with omega-3’s, vitamin B12, choline, and selenium, which helps support heart health, boost immunity and fight inflammation.

How to cook shrimp

This quick-cooking protein is a fan favorite when it comes to easy dinners. While it can be a nutritious choice, it often comes down to preparation.

Just like salmon and other proteins, grilled, sauteed, steamed or baked shrimp are unlikely to affect your blood sugar levels. But shrimp covered in breadcrumbs and fried will increase its carbohydrate content and more likely to spike your blood sugar.

If you’re looking for a quick and healthy dinner, I’ve gathered some of my dietitian friends to bring you 10 diabetic shrimp recipes for every occasion!

Grilled Honey Chili Lime Shrimp Skewers | Haute & Healthy Living

Few things are tastier in the summer than kabobs. But quite often, hearty seafood is forgotten and left off the menu! These chili lime shrimp skewers are a great alternative to heavier meat kabobs to help cut back on saturated fat and calories. The smoky marinade makes it the perfect addition to rice (or cauliflower rice for a lower carb option), refreshing salads, or grilled pineapple chunks.

Calories: 204 Carbs: 7g Protein: 24g Fat: 9g Fiber: 1g

Shrimp in Tomato Sauce with Artichokes and Spinach | Laura M. Ali

This low carb shrimp dish takes less than 30-minutes to whip together, and uses frozen shrimp and canned vegetables to make it even easier! Each serving has only 11 grams of net carbs thanks to the 4 grams of fiber from the artichokes and spinach. Mix it with your favorite low carb pasta alternative for a filling meal to balance your blood sugar.

Calories: 160 Carbs: 15g Protein: 19g Fat: 1g Fiber: 4g

Grilled Shrimp and Broccoli Foil Packs | Kelsey P. RD

Delicious shrimp foil packets make for a healthy dinner with all the flavors of a stir-fry and no pan required. This recipes swaps out refined rice with RightRice Fried Rice Medley instead to provide 7 grams of fiber and a boost of protein for a more blood sugar friendly dish.

For a low sodium, gluten-free swap use liquid aminos instead of soy sauce.

Calories: 261 Carbs: 38g Protein: 27g Fat: 3g Fiber: 7g

Gem Cups with Shrimp and Mango Salsa | Dietitian Moushumi

Shrimp lettuce cups are the perfect bite-sized snack or appetizer. Piled high with mango salsa, each zesty cup is packed with flavor and only 43 calories per serving. You will definitely want more than one since each cup has only 2g of net carbs – that’s a pretty good deal! Top with some creamy cilantro lime yogurt sauce for an added kick and a boost of protein.

Calories: 43 Carbs: 3g Protein: 2g Fat: 2g Fiber: 1g

Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw | Haute & Healthy Living

Think of these as the homemade versions of your favorite restaurant taco. This Spicy Shrimp Taco recipe is sure to leave you satisfied and happy. Unlike many fast food equivalents, this version is packed with fresh slaw, real deal taco seasoning, and quality flavor.

Plus, it’s a great option for taco night that requires minimal preparation! When you’re craving tacos but not the extra carbs, use low carb tortillas or a crunchy lettuce wrap instead with sliced avocado!

Calories: 170 Carbs: 17g Protein: 14g Fat: 6g Fiber: 3g

Air Fryer Panko Shrimp | Lara Clevenger

This ultra-quick air-fryer shrimp recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Cooking shrimp in an air fryer creates a crunchy, golden-brown exterior while eliminating excess fat. With 15 grams of protein, you can whip up a batch of crispy shrimp to serve over a bed of cauliflower rice and Greek yogurt cilantro lime sauce for an easy low carb dinner.

Calories: 150 Carbs: 17g Protein: 15g Fat: 2g Fiber: 1g

Mediterranean Diet Shrimp | Fueling Fertility

Everything you need for dinner baked inside one simple foil pack? I’m in! You’ll love the ease of this recipe, the Mediterranean flavors, and the nutrition profile. With low carb vegetables like zucchini and tomatoes alongside seasoned shrimp, it has only 4 grams of carbs and is well-balanced with protein and fat to keep you full and slow the digestion of carbohydrates.

Calories: 280 Carbs: 4g Protein: 35g Fat: 15g Fiber: 1g

Lemon Garlic Shrimp on the Blackstone | Lara Clevenger

Shrimp on the Blackstone Griddle is incredibly easy to make! Done in less than 5 minutes, and full of high quality ingredients, like avocado oil, which provides monounsaturated fats that can help lower cholesterol when substituted for saturated fats. Plus, avocado oil’s high smoke point makes it perfect for frying, grilling, sauteing and roasting.

No blackstone griddle? No problem. They’re just as delicious on the stovetop! Serve with baked zucchini fries, instant pot asparagus, or a crusty low carb bread for a delicious, yet simple recipe the whole family will love.

Calories: 222 Carbs: 1g Protein: 23g Fat: 14g Fiber: 0g

Creamy Coconut Shrimp Dinner | Haute & Healthy Living

The combination of fresh vegetables and coconut milk infused with Thai flavor, create a smooth low carb sauce packed full of flavor. One serving has 8 grams of net carbs, plus protein and fat. This helps slow down the digestion of the carbs and makes it a filling, diabetes friendly recipe.

You can easily load this recipe up with more veggies, like onions, mushrooms, carrots and spinach, and serve it over rice or quinoa for a lighter meal that’s easier on your blood sugar.

Calories: 326 Carbs: 10g Protein: 32g Fat: 24g Fiber: 2g

Shrimp & Cherry Tomato Pasta | Kelsey P. RD

One-pot dinners make it so easy to get a healthy dinner on the table quickly on busy weeknights. This cherry tomato pasta is literally bursting with flavor thanks to an effortless 4 ingredient sauce.

The fiber and protein from the whole wheat pasta help to slow down the digestion of carbohydrates and can lead to a smaller rise in blood sugar. The extra protein from the shrimp also makes this a great choice to help keep you satisfied and full.

Calories: 314 Carbs: 29g Protein: 24g Fat: 10g Fiber: 7g

The bottom line:

Shrimp is a heart-healthy option to boost your protein intake without taking in extra saturated fats. It’s highly nutritious when grilled, steamed, sauteed, or baked and pairs well with a wide array of dishes like one of these diabetic shrimp recipes!

If you’re looking for more ideas, checkout my roundup of the best diabetic salmon recipes!