Shrimp Saganaki – Greek Baked Shrimp Recipe

Learn how to easily make the best Shrimp Saganaki at home! This Greek Baked shrimp is a healthy one-skillet recipe that’s so simple to prepare and ready in 30 minutes! Zesty, plump shrimp are snuggled in a savory, rich, chunky tomato sauce, generously sprinkled with tangy feta and briny olives, and then baked until beautifully flavorful! It’s a light, bright and robust dish that’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners or easy entertaining and it’s always a hit with a crowd!

You can serve this Greek shrimp with tomatoes and feta as an easy appetizer, or pair it with your favorite seasonal vegetable and lemon rice, orzo or pasta for a heartier meal! Continue to read on for simple tips and tricks for baking the perfect shrimp saganaki! And, don’t miss the comprehensive step-by-step photographs showing you exactly how easy this dish is to make at home!

Hi, friends! I hope you are ready for some seriously scrumptious shrimp, because today’s recipe is a total winner that you will want to make over and over again!

Greek Shrimp Saganaki recipe: overview

This quick and easy shrimp recipe is bright, light and healthy, yet hearty and bursting with bold Greek flavors!

This recipe features plump shrimp marinated in zippy lemon zest and then baked in a savory, chunky tomato sauce spiced with delicate shallots, pungent garlic, aromatic Greek seasonings, briny olives, tangy feta and a splash of white wine. A generous sprinkling of fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice finish this dish off beautifully!

But, this Greek baked shrimp isn’t just incredibly flavorful, it’s also so simple to prepare and made in just one pan with easy to find ingredients! It’s the perfect dish when you want to serve an appetizer that is sure to impress! And, it’s equally as delicious paired with orzo, rice or pasta for a fast weeknight dinner for your family!

Looking to keep things easy, healthy and delicious?! This Greek baked shrimp saganaki recipe is for you!!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• SO flavorful: This dish is bursting with delicious flavor! From the plump, juicy shrimp to the rich, savory tomato sauce and tangy, melty feta, this recipe is anything but boring or lacking in flavor!
• Easy to find ingredients: This modern take on traditional Greek shrimp uses easy to find ingredients to create a dish that is truly irresistibly delicious!
• One pan: From cooking to serving, these saucy shrimp are truly a one pan wonder!
• Make ahead: You can easily make the tomato sauce ahead of time! When you are ready to eat, all that’s left to do is top the sauce with shrimp, olives, feta and bake – making this an easy 8-minute dish!
• Versatile: These Greek shrimp are perfect for every occasion! From elegant entertaining to easy family dinner, these shrimp are always a hit!

What does saganaki mean?

Saganaki refers to a category of traditional Greek appetizers named after the pan in which they’re cooked and served. A saganaki or sagani pan is a small, heavy-bottomed frying pan (skillet) with two handles for easy carrying and serving.

The most common Greek recipes made in a saganaki pan include cheese saganaki, mussels saganaki and shrimp saganaki. Greek saganaki recipes are best when served right in the skillet with plenty of crusty bread for scooping, dipping and mopping!

What is shrimp saganaki?

Shrimp Saganaki, also known as Garides Saganki, is a traditional Greek dish consisting of shrimp cooked in a savory tomato sauce with feta. This one-pan shrimp dish is usually served as an appetizer with plenty of artisan bread for sopping up the delicious, rich tomato sauce.

What’s in Shrimp Saganaki?

This recipe ingredient list may look long at first glance; however, all of the ingredients are either easy to find or pantry staples!

Ingredients you need to bake Greek shrimp at home

• Oil: You will need 4 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing. Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor!
• Shallots: Four large shallots add a delicate and slightly sweet onion flavor. You can substitute any onion – yellow, white or red – if you prefer a more pungent onion taste.
• Aromatics and Seasonings: A combination of fresh garlic, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, kosher salt and ground black pepper all provide a ton of flavor. Use Mediterranean oregano if you can find it. Also, purchase fresh garlic and peel/mince it yourself for the best punchy flavor (those containers of pre-minced garlic are lackluster in flavor!)!!
• Wine: Traditional saganaki uses Ouzo, however that liquor can be difficult to find in the states. I’ve swapped it out for a dry white wine, which lends a beautiful complexity to the tomato sauce. (See below for wine options.)
• Tomatoes: Two cans of fire roasted tomatoes add a delicious earthy, rich and smoky tomato flavor.
• Honey: A heaping tablespoon of honey provides a touch of sweetness which beautifully balances out the tangy flavors!
• Shrimp: You need 1 to 1 ½ pounds of extra-jumbo (16/20) shrimp. Make sure you use good-quality shrimp: wild American or Argentinian shrimp are best if you can find them. Frozen shrimp are great! Just make sure you thaw them before proceeding with the recipe! (Scroll down to read a few tips on baking shrimp.)
• Lemon: The zest of one whole large lemon provides the perfect pop of zesty flavor to marinate the shrimp! Make sure you only use the zest, and not the juice, as the lemon juice will cook the shrimp!  
• Cheese: Feta cheese is one of the ingredients that makes this dish really special. Use a high-quality Greek feta cheese if you can. (See below for substitution ideas.)
• Fresh Herbs: While totally optional, I highly suggest you don’t skimp on the fresh herbs! A combination of basil and mint add a pop of fresh, herbaceous flavor that really enhances this dish!

Variations

Want to make some changes to this dish? No problem! This Greek shrimp recipe is pretty flexible! Feel free to substitute or add ingredients based upon what you love or prefer! Below are a few ideas to get you started.

• Cheese: Greek sheep’s milk feta is the traditional ingredient for shrimp saganaki. Greek feta is semi-hard in texture with a rich taste and a salty, tangy and slightly lemony flavor. Not a fan of feta? Try using Halloumi (a semi-hard tangy, salty Mediterranean cheese) or Graviera (a sweet and nutty hard yet mild Greek cheese).
• Tomatoes: If fresh summer tomatoes are in season, swap out the can of tomatoes for ripe ones!
• Avocado: Dice up avocado and sprinkle it on the dish before serving for an extra layer of creamy flavor!
• Olives: While entirely optional, I highly suggest adding Kalamata olives to this dish! Their beautiful, distinctive wine-like and slightly fruity flavor adds a beautiful layer of richness.
• Wine: You can use any dry white wine you love for this recipe! However, I always recommend selecting a wine you actually like to drink! Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are all great options, just steer clear of anything too fruity (Rieslings) or too woody (some Chardonnays). Or are you looking to make authentic shrimp Saganaki? Substitute the white wine for Ouzo, a dry anise-flavored liquor. Can’t find Ouzo? Try using Sambuca!
• Seasonings: Want to really jazz up the flavor? Omit the dry seasonings and substitute homemade Greek seasoning to really make this dish shine!

How to bake Greek shrimp?

Shrimp Saganaki is a one-pan recipe that’s so incredibly easy to make at home!

(Don’t forget to scroll down for the complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page!)

1. Marinate the shrimp: Place the shrimp in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to evenly coat the shrimp and set aside.
2. Sweat the shallots: Heat oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium-low heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft. Add the garlic, cumin, crushed red pepper flakes and oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add wine, then tomatoes: Add the wine to the pan cook 2 minutes. Add the drained tomatoes, ¾ cup of the tomato juices and the honey. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 12-16 minutes. Remove the tomato sauce from the heat.
4. While the tomatoes are simmering, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
5. Layer olives, shrimp & feta: Sprinkle the kalamata olives (if using) over the tomato mixture and place the shrimp in one even layer over the top. Crumble the feta evenly over the shrimp.
6. Bake: Transfer the shrimp to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque, pink, just firm to the touch and just cooked through – do NOT overcook the shrimp or they will turn rubbery!
7. Rest: Remove the pan from the oven and let the Shrimp Saganaki rest for 5 minutes.
8. Serve: Garnish with fresh mint and basil. Serve with lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy!

Tips for the best shrimp with tomatoes and feta

Follow these simple tips for perfectly baking Greek shrimp every single time!

• Shrimp selection: I recommend frozen shrimp in the shell for the best taste! Most raw shrimp in the fish section of your grocery store have been previously frozen and thawed, making their shelf life very short. When selecting frozen shrimp, opt for shrimp still in their shell as they will give you a better flavor and texture than peeled and deveined shrimp.
• Marinating shrimp: Do not marinate the shrimp in advance! The shrimp just need a quick 20 to 25-minute marinade to infuse them with some of the zesty lemon flavor. Also, make sure you are only using the zest, and not the juice, of the lemon as the juice will cook the shrimp!
• Baking vessel: To keep this a one-pan recipe, make sure you use a large, high-sided oven-proof skillet. You can layer the shrimp and feta right over the tomato sauce in the skillet and then proceed to bake the dish. If you don’t have an oven-proof skillet, don’t worry! You can transfer the sauce to a 9×13-inch baking dish (as shown in the photos).
• Baking time for shrimp: The precise baking time will depend upon the size of your shrimp. The time listed in the recipe is for large (16/20) shrimp. You can use larger or smaller shrimp; however, you will need to adjust the cooking time up or down, respectively.
• Don’t overcook: Make sure you just cook your shrimp until they are pink, opaque and just firm to the touch. Never over-bake your shrimp! You want the shrimp to remain plump, juicy and tender and overcooking will lead to rubbery, tough shrimp!

Step by step photos for baking shrimp saganaki

Nutritional information

Is baked shrimp healthy?

As a whole, Mediterranean food is prized for being fresh, flavorful and healthy with an overall nutritious profile! This Shrimp saganaki recipe is a wonderful example of healthy Mediterranean cooking!

Nutritional benefits

• Shrimp: Shrimp are an extremely nutrient-dense food! They contain no carbohydrates and are very low in calories, yet rich in protein and healthy fats. Shrimp are also a great source of a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as selenium and iodine. Selenium is a mineral that helps reduce inflammation while promoting heart health. Shrimp are one of the best sources of iodine, an important mineral necessary for proper brain health and thyroid function. While shrimp are high in cholesterol, they’re also rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that promote heart health which outweigh their cholesterol content.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is one of the core components of the Mediterranean diet because it’s incredibly healthy. It contains powerful antioxidants which protect your body from free radicals and strengthen the immune system. As well, the fatty acids in this traditional oil can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Tomatoes: While you may think a can of tomatoes can’t provide any health benefits, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Tomatoes in a can are a better source of the antioxidant lycopene than fresh ones! Lycopene has been shown to help lower the risk of heart disease, prostate cancer and muscular degeneration!
• Shallots: Overall, shallots offer more health benefits than regular onions! Shallots contain dietary fiber, protein, vitamins (C, A and B6), manganese and folate. Furthermore, they’re rich in antioxidant compounds which helps reduce inflammation and prevent oxidative stress that can lead to various cancers. Shallots are also a great source of various minerals, such as iron, copper and potassium which can improve circulation and metabolism.
• Feta: While cheese is high in fat, calories and salt, it is also a wonderful source of protein, calcium and various nutrients. Feta is one of the healthiest cheeses as it’s lower in calories than most others. It also contains high amounts of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), which is an essential omega-6 fatty acid that has been shown to help prevent weight gain and improve body composition.

How many calories in Greek shrimp saganaki?

The exact number of calories and carbohydrates in baked Greek shrimp will depend upon the precise measurements and brands of ingredients you use. This recipe serves 4 as an entrée and has approximately 423 calories and 10 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Tips for serving Greek shrimp

Looking for exciting ways to serve your homemade shrimp saganaki? Below are a few delicious ways to serve and enjoy this Greek shrimp recipe!

How to serve shrimp?

Traditionally, you serve shrimp saganaki as an appetizer or as a part of a Greek meze (or mezze) platter, which is simply a collection or spread of small dishes. However, you can also serve shrimp in tomato sauce as an entrée over pasta or rice!

What to serve with shrimp saganaki?

Greek shrimp are incredibly versatile – they pair well with everything from small snacks, such as pita bread, marinated olives and hummus for appetizers, to heartier dishes such as orzo, rice and spaghetti to create a satisfying main course! Looking to create a classic Greek experience at home? Include your shrimp as a part of a meze spread! Or are you looking to turn your shrimp into a full-blown family meal? Try serving your shrimp over pasta or tabbouleh! See below for some of my family’s favorite dishes to serve with shrimp saganaki!

10 delicious Greek Meze dishes to serve with saganaki

• Bread: Serving this shrimp in tomato sauce with some sort of bread for sopping is a must! Try grilling or toasting crusty artisanal bread or pita bread for dipping!
• Dips: Hummus, Tzatziki and Eggplant dip all pair wonderfully, especially if you are serving bread on the side!
• Fresh Vegetables: Cucumbers, sweet mini peppers, cherry tomatoes, radishes
• Marinated Vegetables: marinated red peppers, olives, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms
• Hand-held Spanakopita:
• Dolma or Greek Dolmades: If you are looking for a traditional Mezze, you absolutely must include stuffed grape leaves!
• Zucchini Fritters: Crispy zucchini fritters are a great way to sneak in more vegetables!
• Variety of Meats: Feeding a meat eater or too? Anything from traditional Greek sausage to your favorite charcuterie meats are a delicious pairing option!
• Lamb Meatballs: Beautifully spiced, juicy lamb meatballs are the perfect finger food!
• Souvlaki Skewers: Small skewers of meat are a wonderful way to add even more protein!

9 delicious side dishes to serve with Greek shrimp

• Greek Salad: A light Greek salad is a wonderful way to keep things healthy!
• Soup: Greek lemon chicken soup (Avgolemono) is a delicious option if you want to keep things authentic! Or try easy chickpea soup if you want a light vegetarian option!
• Tabbouleh: Fresh tabbouleh (tabouli) herb and bulgur salad is a light and refreshing, yet hearty side dish that pairs beautifully with shrimp!
• Roasted Vegetables: Keep things light and simply by roasting up your favorite seasonal vegetables! Try tossing them in oil and a few dashes of Greek seasoning to really make your veggies shine!
• Rice: Fluffy white rice pilaf is a wonderful quick and easy side dish for Greek shrimp! Make sure you add plenty of lemon for a more flavorful experience!
• Orzo: Prefer orzo to white rice? Try making Lemon Orzo pilaf and finish it off with a generous sprinkling of fresh herbs, such as oregano and dill!
• Noodles: Want to keep things fast and fuss free? Boil up your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, linguine or fettuccine! Noodles make a wonderful bed for serving this saucy shrimp!
• Cauliflower Mash: Living a low-carb life? Fluffy cauliflower mash serves as the perfect bed for Greek shrimp with tomatoes!
• Potatoes: Greek potato wedges are always a welcome addition and a huge hit with the family!

Tips for storing Greek baked shrimp

Food safety is important when it comes to storing leftovers! Follow the simple tips below for properly storing, freezing and reheating this dish.

Can I make this in advance?

If you would like to save some time before serving, you can prepare the tomato sauce the day before serving. Follow the recipe, cooking the tomatoes according to the instructions. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container for storage. Store the sauce in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Tip: Do not marinate the shrimp in advance! Shrimp meat is delicate, therefore it’s important you do not marinate the shrimp any longer than 30 minutes!

How to store baked shrimp?

Allow leftover saganaki to cool completely to room temperature before storing (do not leave shrimp at room temperature for more than 1 hour). Transfer the shrimp in tomato sauce to a shallow, airtight container and store in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Properly stored, shrimp will keep for 3 to 4 days.

How to reheat it?

You can enjoy leftovers cold, straight from the refrigerator, or you can remove the shrimp in tomato sauce from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before serving.

You can gently reheat the shrimp; however, avoid heating them for too long of your shrimp will become tough and rubbery! To reheat baked shrimp, transfer the leftovers (shrimp and tomato sauce) to a skillet. Place the skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until just warm throughout, about 3 minutes.

Treat your tastebuds to a trip to Greece with this sizzling shrimp saganaki recipe! Just don’t forget to serve this dish with plenty of crusty bread or a starchy side so you can soak up every single drop of this luscious tomato sauce!!

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Looking for more healthy seafood recipes?

If you love this Greek shrimp dish, try one of these delicious recipes next:

Easy Smoked Salmon Dip

Perfect Poached Shrimp Cocktail

The Best Fish Ceviche Recipe

Salmon with Salsa Verde

Spicy Tuna 

 

The best Greek Baked Shrimp Saganaki recipe 👇

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