Spicy Cajun Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce
Spicy Cajun shrimp, seared in a garlic butter sauce, with juicy, tender shrimp: an easy, flavorful weeknight dinner ready in just 15 minutes.
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 177kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or grapeseed oil
- 1½ tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter divided
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoon hot sauce Louisiana-style
- 1½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp very dry. Toss with avocado oil, Cajun seasoning, paprika, sea salt, and cayenne. Let it rest while the pan heats.
- Heat a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat, then add butter and let it foam.
- Cook shrimp in a single layer for 90 seconds without stirring, then flip and cook for 60–75 seconds until opaque. Remove if done early.
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Push shrimp to the sides of the pan.
- Add the remaining butter and garlic to the center. Cook 45–60 seconds, stirring until fragrant but not browned.
- Add hot sauce and lemon juice. Toss shrimp over low heat for 30–45 seconds until glossy.
- Turn off the heat, garnish with parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute large shrimp with jumbo (add extra cook time), avocado oil with grapeseed or canola oil, and Cajun seasoning with Creole or blackened seasoning if needed; dried parsley can be swapped for fresh parsley or cilantro
- Adjust heat to taste: omit cayenne for mild, prepare as written for medium, or add extra cayenne and a few more dashes of hot sauce for hot
- Don't crowd the skillet; shrimp release moisture and will steam instead of sear if overcrowded. Cook in batches if needed
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freezer for up to 2 months
- Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the glaze
Nutrition
Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 158mg | Sodium: 1108mg | Potassium: 231mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2034IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1mg
