This Cajun Shrimp recipe yields delectable shrimp infused and coated with a vibrant and zesty seasoning. Toss the shrimp in our homemade Cajun spice blend and sear until juicy and flavorful, all in under 15 minutes.
I recommend this Cajun shrimp recipe if you're craving something easy and satisfying. I like to pair it with sides like creamy pasta, roasted veggies, and mashed potatoes.
The simple and detailed instructions in this Cajun shrimp recipe (and also this Hawaiian shrimp recipe) make cooking more relaxing and fulfilling.
Craft your menu with this Cajun shrimp—it's low-carb and fits seamlessly into any meal plan.
Why You'll Love This Recipe?
⭐️Quick & Effortless, perfect for weeknight dinners.
⭐️Flavorful & delicious.
⭐️Versatile in Serving.
Ingredients
- Shrimp: For the best results in this Cajun shrimp recipe, use raw, uncooked shrimp. Large, medium, or small sizes will work, but make sure they're peeled and deveined. If buying frozen, opt for pre-peeled and deveined shrimp for convenience. Peel and devein fresh shrimp.
- Paprika and Cayenne Pepper: Paprika adds a smoky flavor, and cayenne pepper adds a rich heat. Adjust the cayenne pepper to your preference.
- Olive Oil: If you prefer, substitute it with another neutral-flavored cooking oil, like vegetable or canola oil.
- Garlic and Onion Powder: These add rich, savory flavors.
- Black Pepper: Use a pepper mill for freshly ground black pepper for the best flavors.
- Thyme: Use dried or fresh herbs.
- Parsley: Cilantro is an equally good alternative.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Enhance the dish with an extra depth of smoky flavor.
How To Make Cajun Shrimp?
- Toss peeled and deveined shrimp in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, salt, and pepper until well-coated.
- Cook the shrimp in a heated skillet for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
Storage & Reheating
You can refrigerate the Cajun shrimp in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to a month.
To reheat, toss the chilled shrimp with some water and gently warm them in a skillet over low heat(to retain their juiciness and prevent them from becoming rubbery).
I recommend reheating the shrimp over the stovetop rather than in the microwave, as the heating process is done quickly, which increases the chances of making the shrimp hard and chewy.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Overcooking: Cook until they turn pink and opaque, usually 2-3 minutes on each side on medium-high heat. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Sprinkling lemon juice and garnish Cajun shrimp with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley.
- Overcrowding: For optimal cooking, avoid overcrowding the skillet. Cook in batches if necessary to ensure each piece is perfectly done.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat?
This Cajun Shrimp tastes mildly hot.
You can control the heat by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper or skip using it.
To enhance the heat, increase the quantity of cayenne pepper or add a splash of hot sauce for richness.
Marinating the shrimp longer can intensify the flavors while maintaining the desired heat level.
How To Use?
- In Tacos: For a zesty twist, serve the leftover spicy shrimp in tortillas with lime wedges and fresh salsa.
- Toss in Salad: Toss the cooked shrimp with a green salad(refer to this Cajun shrimp salad for detailed instructions).
- Add Sausage: Mix sliced sausage with bell peppers for an extra hearty dish.
FAQ
For a complete meal, pair your dish with simple salads like cucumber jalapeno salad, and enjoy with sides like bread, cooked rice, or pasta(like this spicy penne pasta).
You can also serve with mashed potato or roasted vegetables(spicy roasted sweet potatoes).
Creamy Cajun Shrimp: Add heavy cream for a rich, creamy sauce after cooking the shrimp. This is perfect for pasta!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know your thoughts in the 📝 comments section below the recipe.
📖 Recipe
Cajun Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 teaspoon olive oil /avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
Instructions
- Make sure your shrimp are cleaned, peeled, and deveined.
- In a mixing bowl, add the shrimp with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Toss everything together until the shrimp are well-coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook on each side for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque.
- Garnish Cajun shrimp with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
-
- Heat Level: The shrimp has a mild heat, which you can control by decreasing the cayenne pepper or skipping using it.
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to a month. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with some water to avoid overcooking.
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