Baked Shrimp and Broccoli Foil Packs

Baked Shrimp Recipe and Broccoli Foil Packs – These easy baked shrimp foil packets in the oven make for a healthy and delicious dinner that’s low-carb, paleo, gluten-free, and keto-friendly. Baked shrimp in the oven yields the best flavor and is totally hands-off. Shrimp is delicious, a lean protein, and quick to cook. When you bake shrimp with broccoli in a foil packet drenched with a luscious lemon garlic butter sauce, you know you have a winner for dinner!  This method for baking shrimp is so easy, and the shrimp come out juicy and perfectly seasoned with lemon, garlic, and spices. Whip up this super tasty baked shrimp recipe in under 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Ingredients list for the Baked Shrimp Foil Packs

• 1 lb (450g) medium raw shrimp (peeled and deveined, tail-on or tail-off)
• 2 tablespoons butter, diced (or ghee, or olive oil)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons vegetable or chicken stock, divided
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Red chili pepper flakes, optional
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 large head of broccoli, broken into florets
• Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

How to Bake Shrimp in Foil Packets

The method for this oven-baked shrimp recipe is super easy. The hardest part is just folding the foil packets! Here are a few pointers for making this baked shrimp and broccoli:

• Use a larger size of shrimp: We use 16-20 shrimp size because they are meatier and juicier. Note that cooking time depends on the size of your shrimps.
• If you like your broccoli extra tender, boil the florets in boiling salted water for 3 minutes, then soak in ice-cold water to keep the color. Then throw into the foil packs with shrimp.
• Do not close the packets too tight around the shrimps and broccoli so the heat can circulate.
• Feel free to crisp up the shrimp and vegetables under the broiler at the end of baking time. Open the foil packets carefully and put them under the broiler for one or two minutes.

Fresh or Frozen Shrimp for baking?

Buy shrimp fresh or frozen, it’s up to you. Frozen shrimp keeps nutrients so it’s a good choice. “Fresh shrimp” sold in stores are almost always frozen first, then thawed before selling. Note that wild-caught shrimp have a better flavor in general. Buy shrimp already deveined, shelled, and cleaned to save time on prepping. You can use shrimp with tails on or off.

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Baked Shrimp Seasoning

This oven-baked shrimp recipe uses simple herbs and spices. The combination of garlic, butter, lemon, and spices send these delicious shrimp to new heights. Here’s what we used in addition to salt and pepper:

• Butter: unsalted is better, so you can adjust the shrimp seasoning with more accuracy.
• Garlic: Lots of fresh garlic for that incredible taste!
• Italian seasoning: The mix of oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil adds depth of flavor to the baked shrimp.
• Onion powder: To compliment garlic.
• Smoked paprika: Gives a smokey flavor that cuts with the blandness of broccoli.
• Fresh lemon juice: For this refreshing, tangy note.
• Red chili pepper flakes: For that spicy kick we love. It’s optional, though.
• Fresh parsley: Parsley adds freshness to the baked shrimp once they are out of the oven.

You can add your own twist to this healthy baked shrimp recipe by adding fennel seeds, cumin, curry powder, or five spices.

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

How to serve baked shrimp and broccoli

While this baked shrimp and broccoli recipe makes a meal in itself, you can add some veggies or grain on the side if you like! Here are some recommendations:

• Rice or quinoa: If you to on a low-carb diet, this is one of the best ways to go!
• Sauteed veggies: zucchini, bell peppers…
• Cauliflower rice: Sauteed or steamed on the side. Cauliflower renders a lot of water so you don’t want it to overpower the taste of baked shrimp and broccoli.

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Directions

1. To make these baked shrimp foil packs: Preheat your oven to 425ºF (220ºC). Cut 2 sheets of 14 by 12-inch (35 x 30 cm) heavy-duty aluminum foil then lay each piece separately on the countertop. In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the spice mix: Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (plus powdered stock if using, see notes).

2. In a shallow plate, add shrimp and sprinkle with the spice mix, coating on all sides.

3. Divide shrimp onto the aluminum foil near the center then place broccoli florets to one side of the shrimp.

4. Add garlic over broccoli and shrimp, then sprinkle with lemon juice, red crushed chili pepper flakes (if using) and finish with salt and pepper. Divide butter pieces evenly among the shrimp foil packets, layering them over the shrimp and broccoli.

5. Add a tablespoon of vegetable stock in each foil packet and wrap packets in and crimp edges together then wrap ends up. Don’t wrap too tight – keep a little extra space inside for heat to circulate. 

6. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake shrimp foil packets in the oven, sealed side upward until shrimps have cooked through, about 15 minutes. 

7. Carefully unwrap the baked shrimp and broccoli foil packets then garnish with fresh parsley and a slice of lemon. Enjoy!

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Baked Shrimp tips

• You can use parchment paper to make the packets instead of aluminum foil, or line foil packets with parchment paper so they’re tightly wrapped.
• If you do not have a vegetable or chicken stock at hand, use 1/2 teaspoon powdered stock in the spice mix, plus one tablespoon water in each foil packet.
• If you don’t use butter, a good drizzle of olive oil will do the trick.

What to do with baked shrimp and broccoli leftovers?

You can keep the leftover baked shrimps for 2 days in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Use leftover shrimp in your salads, meal prep lunch boxes, or soups!

Love foil packet meals? Try these!

• Pineapple BBQ Chicken Foil Packets in Oven 
• Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packs with Garlic Butter Sauce 
• Shrimp Foil Packets with Lemon Garlic Herb Sauce 
• Cauliflower Foil Packets Recipe with Garlic Brown Butter
• Creamy Shrimp and Salmon Foil Packets Recipe 
• Garlic Steak & Potato Foil Packs Recipe 

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com