Cozy Greek Shrimp Saganaki: Your New Favorite Seafood Delight

Shrimp Saganaki is a standout dish in Greek cooking, known for its fresh and bold flavors.

This seafood creation hails from Greece’s sunlit coastal areas, where it’s been perfected over the years.

It features juicy shrimp cooked in a rich tomato sauce with crumbled feta cheese that makes every bite special.

The addition of fragrant herbs and a splash of ouzo turns basic ingredients into something extraordinary.

Each family might have their own twist on this recipe, adding to its charm and complexity.

It’s a well-loved dish that brings the taste of Greece to your table with every serving.

Why Shrimp Saganaki Brings Big Flavor

• Quick and Easy Cooking: Prepare this delightful dish in just 15-20 minutes with simple steps and minimal ingredients.
• One-Pan Wonder: Save time on cleanup with a single skillet that transforms fresh ingredients into a mouthwatering meal effortlessly.
• Flavor Explosion: Burst of Mediterranean tastes from juicy shrimp, tangy feta, zesty lemon, and herb-infused sauce creates an irresistible culinary experience.
• Perfect for Entertaining: Impress guests with a restaurant-quality dish that looks sophisticated but requires minimal cooking skills.

What To Get For Shrimp Saganaki

• Shrimp: Tender seafood protein that cooks quickly and absorbs flavors of the sauce, best when fresh or frozen and deveined.
• Feta Cheese: Tangy Greek cheese that adds creamy saltiness and traditional Mediterranean character, crumbles nicely over the dish.

• Shallot, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders that create a rich, savory base for the sauce, choose fresh and firm.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and bright ingredient that bursts during cooking, providing natural sauce and vibrant color.
• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb that adds a light, fresh finish with subtle anise-like flavor, best when freshly chopped.

• Olive Oil: Essential Mediterranean cooking fat that provides smooth cooking base and rich flavor, use extra virgin for best taste.
• Olives: Briny ingredient that adds depth and traditional Greek profile, choose pitted for easier eating.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright citrus components that enhance seafood and add freshness, use fresh lemons for best flavor.
• Water: Liquid for creating sauce consistency and helping ingredients meld together.

How To Make Shrimp Saganaki Step By Step

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatics

Drizzle olive oil into a deep skillet over medium heat. Toss in finely chopped shallots and minced garlic. Let them dance and release their fragrant essence for 2-3 minutes until they become wonderfully aromatic.

Step 2: Burst Tomato Magic

Add whole cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Stir occasionally and watch them transform, bursting with juicy goodness for 5-6 minutes.

Step 3: Create Sauce Base

Introduce kalamata olives and water to the skillet. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer, thickening into a luscious sauce for 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Cook Shrimp Perfectly

Gently nestle plump shrimp into the bubbling sauce. Cover the skillet and allow shrimp to turn a beautiful pink, which takes about 3 minutes.

Step 5: Finish with Bright Flavors

Sprinkle freshly grated lemon zest and squeeze tangy lemon juice over the dish. Scatter chopped fresh dill for an herbal punch. Crumble creamy feta cheese on top and serve immediately while piping hot.

Tips To Cook Shrimp Saganaki Just Right

• Choose Quality Shrimp: Select fresh, deveined shrimp for the best flavor and texture in your saganaki.
• Control Tomato Burst: Gently press cherry tomatoes while cooking to help them release juices and create a richer sauce.
• Balance Liquid Levels: Adjust water quantity based on desired sauce consistency – less water for thicker sauce, more for a lighter texture.
• Prevent Overcooking Shrimp: Watch carefully and remove from heat as soon as shrimp turn pink to maintain tenderness and avoid rubbery texture.
• Enhance Mediterranean Flavors: Add extra dill or crumble more feta cheese for a more intense Greek-inspired taste profile.

How To Save Leftover Shrimp Saganaki

• Refrigerate: Store leftover shrimp saganaki in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat Gently: Warm the dish in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out and maintain sauce consistency.
• Avoid Microwave: Microwaving can make shrimp rubbery and tough, so stovetop reheating is recommended for best texture.
• Consume Quickly: Eat refrigerated leftovers within 48 hours for optimal flavor and food safety.

What Pairs Best With Shrimp Saganaki

• Crisp Greek White Wine Pairing: Select a chilled Assyrtiko or Moschofilero wine that complements the bright, tangy flavors of the shrimp saganaki with its citrusy and mineral undertones.
• Crusty Bread Companion: Serve warm, rustic sourdough or traditional Greek pita bread to soak up the delicious tomato and seafood sauce, enhancing every bite with Mediterranean authenticity.
• Fresh Herb Salad Side: Prepare a light Greek salad with cucumber, red onion, and a simple lemon-olive oil dressing to balance the rich, savory shrimp dish and add refreshing crispness.
• Herbal Ouzo Aperitif: Offer a small glass of traditional Greek ouzo as a pre-meal drink, its anise flavor preparing the palate for the robust seafood and tomato flavors of the saganaki.

Tasty Ways To Switch Up Shrimp Saganaki

• Mediterranean Veggie Swap: Replace shrimp with grilled halloumi cheese or white beans for a hearty vegetarian version that keeps the classic Greek flavors intact.
• Low-Carb Sea Option: Use cauliflower instead of tomatoes and serve over zucchini noodles to create a lighter, keto-friendly alternative that maintains the dish's rich essence.
• Spicy Seafood Fusion: Add red pepper flakes and swap dill for cilantro to create a more intense, Latin-inspired version with added heat and complexity.
• Protein Power Adaptation: Substitute shrimp with chicken or white fish to provide alternative protein options while preserving the original recipe's Mediterranean cooking technique.

FAQs On Shrimp Saganaki

• What is saganaki?

Saganaki is a popular Greek appetizer or dish typically made in a small frying pan, usually featuring cheese or seafood with a tomato-based sauce.

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure they cook evenly and don’t release excess water into the sauce.

• Is this dish spicy?

The original recipe is not spicy, but you can add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne if you want some heat.

• What type of olives work best?

Kalamata olives are traditional in Greek cuisine and would be perfect for this recipe, but you can also use black or green olives based on your preference.

Sizzling Shrimp Saganaki Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean flavors dance in this classic Greek Shrimp Saganaki, where succulent shrimp nestle in a rich tomato sauce with feta cheese and herbs. Diners will savor the perfect balance of zesty ingredients that bring the warmth of Greek coastal kitchens to the table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ pounds (567 grams) jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 6 ounces (170 grams) feta cheese, cubed into small pieces

Aromatic Ingredients:

• ¼ cup shallot, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh dill, finely chopped
• 1 lemon, zest and juice

Complementary Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ⅓ cup kalamata olives, halved

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Instructions

1. Warm a generous glug of olive oil in a spacious skillet, creating a golden base for sautéing shallots and garlic until they release their aromatic essence and turn translucent.
2. Introduce whole cherry tomatoes into the skillet, encouraging them to dance and burst, creating a rich, vibrant sauce with deep crimson hues.
3. Scatter briny olives across the developing sauce, then pour in water to help consolidate the flavors and create a cohesive texture, allowing the liquid to gently reduce and concentrate.
4. Carefully arrange raw shrimp into the simmering sauce, ensuring each piece is nestled comfortably and submerged partially, then cover the skillet to trap steam and cook the seafood evenly.
5. Once shrimp transform from translucent to a delicate pink, awaken the dish with bright citrus notes – sprinkle freshly grated lemon zest and squeeze tangy juice to elevate the flavor profile.
6. Finish the saganaki by generously crumbling tangy feta cheese across the surface, then garnish with feathery dill fronds for a pop of herbal freshness before serving piping hot directly from the skillet.

Notes

• Customize spice levels by adding red pepper flakes or cayenne for a kick of heat that elevates the dish’s flavor profile.
• Select large, fresh shrimp for the most tender and succulent texture, ensuring they’re deveined and patted dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture.
• Transform this recipe into a low-carb option by serving over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional grains for a lighter

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg