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Shrimp Saganaki

How to make Classic Shrimp Saganaki with Ouzo, Tomato and Feta Cheese

Dive into the heart of Greek cuisine with this Succulent Shrimp Saganaki recipe, a traditional appetizer that promises a medley of flavors. Large, tender shrimp are sautéed with aromatic onions and garlic, then flambéed with ouzo to infuse an unmistakable anise flavor.
This dish is further enriched with sweet diced tomatoes, earthy oregano, and a sprinkle of sugar, all simmering together to create a rich, flavorful sauce.
The final touch of crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, tangy contrast, melting beautifully into the warm, inviting mix.
Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish is perfect for a quick yet elegant meal.
Whether you're hosting a dinner party or looking for a delightful new weeknight recipe, Greek Shrimp Saganaki brings a taste of the Mediterranean right to your table. Its balance of savory shrimp, aromatic herbs, and rich feta promises a culinary journey that's both comforting and exotic, capturing the essence of Greek cooking in every bite​​​​.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer, Meze
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4
Calories 364 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet - For sautéing and simmering ingredients.
  • Knife - To chop onions, garlic, and parsley.
  • Measuring Spoons: - To accurately measure smaller ingredients.
  • Can opener: - To open the can of diced tomatoes.
  • Long match or lighter - For flambéing with ouzo.

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 lb large shrimps Main protein, provides texture and flavor
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For cooking and flavor
  • 1 onion finely chopped (Adds sweetness and depth)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced (For aroma and taste)
  • 1/2 cup ouzo Adds a distinctive anise flavor
  • 14 oz Diced Tomatoes undrained (For acidity and body)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar Balances acidity
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano Herbaceous background note
  • 1 pinch Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste (Seasoning)
  • 1 cup feta cheese crumbled (Creamy, tangy element)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (For freshness and color)

Instructions
 

Prepare Your Prawns

  • To start your shrimp saganaki, always buy fresh or frozen large shrimp or prawns. If they’re frozen, thaw them first. Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tail on for a better presentation. Pat the shrimp dry to ensure proper sautéing later.

Chop Onions and Garlic

  • Finely chop one whole onion and mince three cloves of garlic. These will form the aromatic base of your Greek dish, infusing it with depth and flavor as you cook them down in olive oil.

Create Flavorful Foundation

  • In a frying pan with two handles—ideal for serving this traditional Greek dish—heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add your onions and garlic to make a delicious base for your tomato sauce.

Saute Aromatics

  • Cook until softened but not browned; about three minutes should do it. This is crucial as you don’t want to burn them which could impart bitterness into our classic Greek recipe.

Cook The Shrimp

  • Turn up the heat slightly before adding the prepared raw shrimp to the skillet. You’ll want to sauté just until they start turning pink—a clear sign that you’re ready for some flambé action!

Flambé with Ouzo

  • Pour half a cup of ouzo over your cooking seafood evenly before igniting it carefully with a long matchstick held at arm’s length away—a must-do step when making authentic garides saganaki (Greek Shrimp Saganaki). Remember safety first! Let flames subside completely before moving on.

Tomato And Feta Magic

  • Add good quality canned diced tomatoes (or use fresh tomatoes if in season) along with their juices directly into your skillet followed by sugar, dried oregano, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper according to taste preferences—a key process in any great recipe like this one where tomato sauce plays such an essential role.

Simmer To Perfection

  • Allow everything in your pan simmer together so flavors can meld into something greater than their parts—an important aspect when following traditional greek recipes like this one where balance is everything!

Crumble In The Feta Cheese

  • Generously sprinkle crumbled feta cheese across bubbling concoction then cover briefly allowing cheese melt slightly without browning too much—we’re aiming for gooey chunks rather than crispy bits here folks!
  • Finally garnish dish chopped parsley serve immediately hot straight off stove top best results overall enjoy alongside perhaps nice side greek salad maybe even extra olives feta why not right?

Notes

Tips and Tricks for Cooking Greek Shrimp Saganaki:
  1. Shrimp Selection: Choose large, fresh shrimp if possible. Frozen shrimp can also be used; just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking.
  2. Deveining Shrimp: To devein the shrimp easily, use a small paring knife or a specialized deveining tool. Make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp and pull out the vein with the tip of your knife or by gently tugging it with your fingers.
  3. Aromatics Preparation: When chopping onions and garlic, aim for uniform pieces so they cook evenly without burning. If you’re sensitive to chopping onions, chill them in the fridge first to reduce tears.
  4. Olive Oil Quality: Use good quality extra virgin olive oil for this dish as it contributes significantly to its flavor profile.
  5. Sautéing Onions and Garlic: Cook these on medium heat until translucent but not browned—browning can introduce bitterness into your sauce.
  6. Cooking Shrimp Perfectly: Avoid overcooking your shrimp as they can become rubbery—a couple of minutes per side is usually sufficient until they turn pink and opaque.
  7. Flambé Safety Tips: Always turn off any overhead exhaust fans before flambéing since flames could get sucked up into them causing a fire hazard! Keep a lid nearby to smother flames if necessary, never pour alcohol from an open bottle directly into a pan on fire; measure it out first!
  8. 8 .Tomato Sauce Consistency: If you prefer thicker sauce consistency consider draining some liquid from canned tomatoes prior adding them skillet alternatively let simmer uncovered little longer reduce moisture content slightly achieve desired thickness level personal preference dictates here folks okay?
  9. 9 .Balancing Flavors: Taste test regularly throughout cooking process adjust seasoning accordingly remember sugar helps counteract acidity found within tomatoes while feta cheese adds both creaminess plus tanginess contrast against sweetness earlier mentioned component parts recipe itself alright?
  10. 10 .Herbs Freshness: While dried oregano works well fresh herbs often provide more vibrant flavors if available try using same amount freshly chopped oregano instead see difference makes end result wise speaking generally now yeah?
  11. 11 .Cheese Melting Tip: Crumble feta cheese finely ensure melts uniformly rather than clumping together one spot spread evenly across surface cover allow steam help melt faster resulting smoother texture overall enjoy better too believe me when say this true fact indeed!
  12. 12 .Garnishing Right Before Serving: Add parsley right at end maintain freshness color sprinkle liberally give that final touch elegance presentation counts lot especially dishes like these which are known their visual appeal

Nutrition

Calories: 364kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 29gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 216mgSodium: 585mgPotassium: 576mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 452IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 309mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Elegant seafood appetizer, Feta cheese appetizer, Flambé shrimp recipe, Greek Shrimp Saganaki, Mediterranean shrimp recipe, Ouzo infused seafood, Quick Greek dish, Savory feta recipes, Skillet shrimp dish, Traditional Greek saganaki
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