This Spicy Shrimp Sandwich features simple sautéed shrimp with a garlicky sriracha sauce, topped with creamy mashed avocado—an easy, flavorful meal ready in 30 minutes!
👉 This spicy shrimp sandwich recipe has been a reader favorite since I first shared the recipe in 2021. It was updated with new photos and step-by-step instructions in February 2025.
This is not your average sandwich! If you're a fan of bold, spicy Mexican flavors, this shrimp recipe is for you.
Quick-cooked prawns in a sizzling skillet, paired with a spicy, garlicky sriracha mayo and creamy avocado — bursting with flavor and a guaranteed hit every time.
It's become a family favorite because it's so easy to make and always delivers when I'm short on time. A go-to dinner that's as delicious as it is fast!
When it comes to prawn sandwiches, you typically have the po' boy (battered prawns with lettuce, tomatoes, and remoulade on a French roll) or the shrimp salad sandwich (cooked prawns mixed with mayo and seasonings, served on a hoagie roll with lettuce).
This spicy sandwich with shrimp is a little unique. We’ve taken all the delicious components of a shrimp taco and transformed them into a flavorful sandwich!
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Reasons to love it
30-minute meal: Simply thaw your shrimp, and you'll have a flavorful dinner ready in under 30 minutes!
Spicy: The shrimp is tossed in a blend of chili powder, cayenne, and pepper, giving it a delicious, bold flavor. Then, a generous drizzle of sriracha in the sauce takes it to the next level!
Meal prep: You can cook the shrimp and prepare the sauce in advance, then store them in the fridge for a few days. When you're ready to serve, simply toast the buns, mash the avocado, and assemble the sandwich!
Table of contents
Ingredient substitutions
Buns: I've used regular burger buns, but feel free to swap in white sandwich bread, soft hot dog buns, or sliced Italian bread for a different twist.
Spices: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste. If you're short on time, taco or Cajun seasoning works great as a quick alternative!
How to make shrimp sandwich?
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Recipe tips
- If possible, marinate the shrimp. Toss them with the spices and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to really soak in.
- Adjust the Sriracha sauce based on your spice tolerance.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp. Cook just until it has curled into a C.
- If you are using a smaller pan, then cook in batches.
Love spicy food? Be sure to check out my favorite collection of 35+ spicy dinner recipes.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! In fact, I actually prefer frozen shrimp because it’s often fresher than the shrimp in the refrigerated section. It’s typically frozen right after being harvested, sometimes even on the boat itself.
Plus, since it's always stocked in the freezer, it’s super convenient and quick to defrost for last-minute meals. Just thaw the frozen shrimp before using in the recipe!
Place the frozen shrimp in a large bowl filled with room temperature water. They’ll thaw in about 10 minutes (depending on the quantity). Once thawed, drain and pat dry with paper towels.
More spicy shrimp recipes
Spicy Shrimp Sandwich
Ingredients
Spicy Shrimp
- 1 pound raw shrimp peeled, deveined and patted dry
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 ½ tablespoon oil
Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sriracha sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove grated
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Addional ingredients
- 4 burger buns
- 2 tablespoons butter or mayo to toast
- 1 to 2 avocados
- tomato slices optional
Instructions
Cook shrimp
- Combine the shrimp and all the ingredients (under the spicy shrimp) in a bowl and toss to coat.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, arrange the shrimp in a single layer and cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and tender. Transfer the shrimp to a plate. If necessary, cook them in two batches depending on the size of your pan.
Assemble
- Make sauce - Stir all sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.
- Toast buns - Spread a thin layer of softened butter or mayo on the cut sides of the buns. Place the buns cut-side down on a moderately hot pan and cook for about 30 seconds, or until golden and toasted. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning. Repeat in batches until all the buns are toasted.
- Assemble Sandwiches - Spread a layer of sauce on the bottom half of the toasted bun. Pile 6 to 9 cooked shrimp on top. On the top half of the bun, spread a layer of mashed avocado. Close the sandwich and press down gently.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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