In one of the most memorable scenes in Forrest Gump, a movie filled with memorable scenes, Benjamin Buford Blue—better known as Bubba—lists for his Army buddy Forrest twenty-one ways to prepare shrimp. Bubba knows shrimp: He’s worked on shrimp boats around his Gulf Coast hometown of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, since he was nine.
“Shrimp is the fruit of the sea,” Bubba begins. “You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it. There’s, uh, shrimp kebabs, shrimp Creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir fried. There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That—that’s about it.”
Here, then, are twenty-one recipes for each of Bubba’s ways to prepare shrimp:
Barbecue It
New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp: A tasty, messy Louisiana favorite. Get the recipe.
Boil It
At-Home Shrimp Boil: A scaled-down version of a seafood party spread. Get the recipe.
Broil It
Saucy Broiled Shrimp: Featuring a Vietnamese barbecue sauce so good you’ll want to sop up the leftovers. Get the recipe.
Bake It
Shrimp on the Rocks: Forgo the fry basket in favor of salt-baked shellfish dipped in tangy comeback sauce. Get the recipe.
Sauté It
Shrimp and Okra: A chef combines two staples of Gullah Geechee cuisine to create a classic Lowcountry dish. Get the recipe.
Shrimp Kebabs
Grilled Shrimp Kebabs with Kimchi Butter: Simple shrimp transforms into something extraordinary with help from New Orleans’s Pêche. Get the recipe.
Shrimp Creole
Shrimp Jambalaya: The chef behind the beloved New Orleans spot Brennan’s shares a family recipe for the classic Louisiana dish. Get the recipe.
Shrimp Gumbo
Summer Seafood Gumbo: The Gulf Coast chef Lucy “LuLu” Buffett combines summer veggies with shrimp, crab, and plenty of Creole seasoning. Get the recipe.
Pan Fried
Fried Shrimp the Lowcountry Way: The late matriarch of Edisto Island, Emily Meggett, lightly coated her shrimp for a crispy and thin outer layer and paired the seafood with her pink dipping sauce. Get the recipe.
Deep Fried
Fried Shrimp: A super fresh (and super simple) recipe from a beloved South Carolina seafood joint. Get the recipe.
Stir Fried
Seven-Spice Lemon Garlic Georgia Shrimp: Sweet and juicy Georgia shrimp meet shichimi togarashi in this savory, easy pasta dish. Get the recipe.
Pineapple Shrimp
Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice: Starring a canned version of the fruit that takes this comforting dish over the top. Get the recipe.
Lemon Shrimp
Garlic-Lemon Shrimp: Brennan’s tangy lemon and garlic vinaigrette dresses up fresh head-on shrimp. Get the recipe.
Coconut Shrimp
Coconut Shrimp with Pineapple and Jalapeño Chutney: A helping of island magic at home, courtesy of Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Florida. Get the recipe.
Pepper Shrimp
Shrimp in Rundown Sauce: Habanero and other Caribbean flavors mingle with a dash of New Orleans in Nina Compton’s saucy shellfish. Get the recipe.
Shrimp Soup
Shrimp and Okra Soup: Tomato, garlic, hot peppers, okra, and shrimp come together in this traditional and comforting Lowcountry recipe. Get the recipe.
Shrimp Stew
Shrimp, Corn, and Summer Fricassee: The Asheville chef Vishwesh Bhatt puts a light, summery spin on traditional fricassee. Get the recipe.
Shrimp Salad
New Orleans–Style Shrimp Remoulade Salad: New Orleans chef Kristen Essig tops seasoned slices of lettuce with tossed shrimp, pickled red onion, and seasonal garnishes. Get the recipe.
Shrimp and Potatoes
Lowcountry Frogmore Stew: Spread some newspaper on a picnic table and spice up little heirloom potatoes, local shrimp, and sweet corn. Get the recipe.
Shrimp Burger
The Perfect DIY Shrimp Burger: Not fussy and not deep-fried, this recipe is ideal for the weekday rotation. Get the recipe.
Shrimp Sandwich
Southern-Style Shrimp Roll: Replicate the popular menu item from the Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. Get the recipe.
* * *
Of course, we only heard part of Bubba’s list in the movie. It’s clear he had many more where those twenty-one came from. Here are six other dishes that feature the fruit of the sea:
Shrimp Scampi
Corn & Shrimp Tagliatelle: A summertime skillet supper celebrates farmers’ market produce. Get the recipe.
Shrimp and Grits
A Refreshing Remix of Classic Shrimp and Grits: A sweet Creole spin on a Southern favorite. Get the recipe.
Pickled Shrimp
Lowcountry Pickled Shrimp: A tangy and supremely riffable Southern appetizer. Get the recipe.
Shrimp Dip
Spicy Shrimp Dip: New Orleans chef Colleen Quarls shares her take on a party favorite. Get the recipe.
Shrimp Po’boy
Spicy Cajun Shrimp Po’boys: A delicious, messy-but-worth-it ode to NOLA from author Jen Hatmaker. Get the recipe.
Shareable Shrimp
Porch Party Shrimp with Mississippi Comeback Sauce: An addictive, slightly spicy dip is the perfect accompaniment to a versatile dish. Get the recipe.
That—that’s about it.
