Are There Any Substitutes for Shrimp? Good Questions

Q: Are there any substitutes for shrimp? I adore shrimp, but my husband is allergic. I'm dying to try shrimp recipes, but he can't eat it.

Sent by Tracy

Editor: Tracy, I think this depends on the nature of your husband's allergy. Often people who are allergic to shrimp are simply allergic to all forms of shellfish. If this is the case, you're out of luck. Get your shrimp fix when you eat out, or when he's away on business trips.

However, if he is allergic specifically to shrimp, then you might want to look into langostina tails (I get these frozen in bags from Trader Joe's). This is similar to shrimp, but not the same; the langostina is related to the lobster as well as to the shrimp. You can also substitute lobster tails.

• Read more: Lobsterette and langostino at CHOW

But again, this depends on your husband, and if he has a life-threatening allergy you should check with his doctor before incorporating any other sort of shellfish into your diet.

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Related: Recipe: Tomato-Cilantro Shrimp

(Images: Liz Vidyarthi)

Comments (13)

You could try calamari (the steak kind) or monkfish, too, taking into consideration the possibility of allergies to these, too.

With precautions stated above, octopus is a favorite of mine and can be used in many dishes instead of shrimp. I usually long cook them and use the tentacles in many seafood dishes.

I'm allergic to all seafood (I know. Sob) I know it's not a perfect answer, but I generally sub chicken for seafood if a particular sauce sounds delish to me... maybe I'm crazy, but generally palate wise, if it goes well with fish, it will also taste good with chicken.

My fave Chinese restaurant serves "vegetarian shrimp." Apparently you can buy it in some stores (I've never seen it) and online. Here's a link.

http://vegecyber.com/cgi-bin/vege_item.cgi?detail=10416

With the precautions mentioned - crawfish. I live in Houston and crawfish are used in a lot of shrimp recipes. I have come to prefer them over shrimp.

I developed a deathly allergy to shrimp as an adult in my 30s. Really sucks.

I find that for some (especially venetian preparations, but that is a bit esoteric) there is really no substitute (sadly!) but my general rule of thumb is:
bay scallops in asian food
octopus in mediterranean (greek esp) food
languostine for northern mediterranean stuff/other things where a substitute will work.

Unfortunately I don't have any thoughts re why some dishes can take a substitute and others can't-- and I would also be careful with the crawfish... I have a mild reaction to them, but enough so that I take a pass on those, too. Never know when it will deepen/worsen

Tracy here. Oh yay! Neat ideas! He is allergic to all shellfish, so langostina and crawfish are out, unfortunately, but the others all sound like great ideas! I never knew vegetarian shrimp existed btw. Much thanks everyone. I'm excited!

I agree with Lisin in regard to subbing chicken. My boyfriend eats some seafood but loathes shrimp. I find that chicken works well as a flavor vessel. I've also created meals for my family, where my mom hates all seafood and my dad and sisters love it, so I would make a sauce separately to work with both chicken and shrimp and serve it with a grain or pasta. That may be a feasible alternative for you so you can both enjoy a meal with a somewhat similar flavor profile, but you both get to enjoy foods that you enjoy and can handle.

I've never had shrimp and am sure this doesn't taste much like it, but there is surimi shrimp, the same sort of stuff they make crabstick for California rolls out of. You can get brands that have no shellfish at all in them. That's what I use as a substitute in recipes which call for shrimp.

why dont you just make shrimp? cant he make his own dinner once in a while?

Oooh - vegan shrimp!! Thanks for that link up there, I didn't know it existed!

I do miss shrimp from my old carnivorous ways, every once in a while. And caviar. I miss caviar. I don't miss anything else!

He tried to microwave a can of campbells once. It exploded in the microwave. He doesn't cook much nowadays.. or at all. =(

I have never heard of surimi shrimp, but it sure sounds tasty. ;)

I was introduced to the vegan shrimp at my fav thai restaurant. I would go with that! They've got the texture down pretty well for a shrimp-less shrimp! My Whole Food carries them.