This Cajun Shrimp recipe is so fresh, flavorful, and delicious. Cooked on the stovetop with butter and homemade Cajun Seasoning, you can't go wrong with this healthy seafood dinner. With just 4 ingredients, it's ready in just 10 minutes and can be used in many ways making it perfect for any dinner.
Love Cajun Shrimp? Also try my Cajun Shrimp & Rice, Cajun Shrimp Pasta, and my Cajun Shrimp Burger.
Cajun Shrimp recipe
This Cajun Shrimp recipe is so unique. It's so zesty, savory, smoky, tasty, and EASY that you'll find yourself making again and again. It comes with just 4 easy ingredients - plump shrimp, homemade cajun seasoning, butter, and garlic- and just 10 minutes to make a vibrant dish that can be used in many ways. This has that flavor POP that will have your taste buds dancing.
You can serve it as a main course with sides like Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes and Roasted Broccoli, as a topping for pasta, salad, bowls, or tacos, or even as an appetizer with Cajun Remoulade Sauce. The possibilities are endless.
What is Cajun Shrimp made of?
Cajun Shrimp is simply shrimp cooked in Cajun style, in Cajun spices. Cajun food, like these Cajun Shrimp, originates from Louisana and often features seafood and rich spices like this recipe. Cooked in a classic cast iron skillet, with either my homemade blend of Cajun Seasoning or your favorite storebought Cajun Seasoning, this dish could not be easier to make and stays true to its southern roots. It has rich cajun flavors like smoked paprika, garlic, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper, these simple shrimp are bursting with flavor and taste.
Blackened Shrimp have a slightly different spice blend. If you want to make those, try my Blackened Shrimp recipe, which cooks easily (but untraditionally) in the oven.
5 Minute, 5 Ingredient Cajun Shrimp Recipe Share on X
Why You'll Love this Cajun Shrimp recipe...
- This Cajun Shrimp recipe has only 4 ingredients and cooks in 10 minutes.
- It's bursting with rich flavors.
- You can customize the spice level by making your own Cajun Seasoning mix.
- The shrimp come out so tender and delicious.
- You can serve them as is, or added to so many different types of dishes.
- You can store them for meal prep and eat them later.
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Cajun Shrimp recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Shrimp: Larger shrimp work best for this recipe. I like to use large (21-25 count) or larger for this recipe which includes extra large and jumbo. To save time, you can buy peeled and deveined shrimp, but make sure they are raw and not cooked. Don't be afraid of frozen shrimp either, most shrimp are frozen just after catching them anyway, even if you see them at the seafood counter. The best way to thaw out your shrimp is to put them in the fridge overnight. In a pinch, you can also, put them in a ziplock bag and submerge them in cool water until thawed.
- Cajun Seasoning: Cajun Seasoning is a spice blend of rich flavor-filled ingredients like smoked paprika, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne, and salt and pepper. They sell it in stores, or you can easily make your own with my Cajun Seasoning recipe with ingredients that are probably already in your pantry. It is very similar to Blackened Seasoning but is not the same. You can, however, replace this with Blackening Seasoning if that's all you have.
- Butter: Butter is a key flavor in traditional Cajun cooking, so I used it here. To keep this recipe lighter you can trade out olive oil or avocado oil, but the flavor will be slightly different. You can also make it dairy-free by using dairy-free butter or olive oil.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is the way to go for maximum flavor, and sticking to the true Cajun style of cooking
- Garnish: Lemon slices and parsley
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Cajun Shrimp recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
Step One: Melt the Butter
- In a medium-sized skillet over medium high heat add the butter and melt it. I love these Lodge ones.
- Add the garlic and saute for just 30 seconds.
- Add the shrimp to the pan.
- Add the cajun seasoning to the pan. Stir or toss to coat.
Step Two: Finish the Shrimp
- Cook for just 3-5 minutes.
- The shrimp are done when they are opaque, pink, and just starting to curl.
- This is what they will look like done! Pull them off the heat and out of the pan to stop the cooking.
- Garnish with lemon slices, fresh parsley, and a squirt of fresh lemon juice.
Variations
I love this Cajun Shrimp recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Make it Spicy: You can adjust the seasoning and make it spicy by adding more cayenne seasoning.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Use a tablespoon olive oil or dairy-free butter to easily make this dairy-free.
- Make a Big Batch: Feeding a crowd: You can double or triple the recipe for a crowd by clicking on the 2X or 3X on the recipe card.
- Make it on the Oven: Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray. Melt the butter in the microwave and toss the shrimp and cajun seasoning in it. Put the shrimp in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 3-5 minutes until shrimp are cooked through.
- Makie it on the Grill: You can also grill these by putting them in a grilling pan and cooking over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until done. You can also put them on skewers and cook the same way.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in 30-second increments in the microwave, just until warm. Don't overcook it.
Freezing
I don't recommend freezing this because the shrimp have most likely already been frozen.
What if I don't have cajun seasoning?
Cajun seasoning can be easily made with pantry staples like smoked paprika, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne, and salt and pepper. Follow my Cajun Seasoning recipe to make it. You can also substitute Blackening Seasoning. Old Bay isn't the same, and will give you a different flavor, but can be used in a pinch.
Is cajun shrimp healthy for weight loss?
Yes, this recipe is very healthy with 112 calories and 19 grams of protein per serving. To make it a bit healthier, cook the shrimp in olive oil instead of butter.
The Cajun Shrimp recipe is So Good!
This Cajun Shrimp recipe is so explosively tasty, that you will make it again and again. The easiest way to make them into a traditional Cajun meal is to add them to my Cajun Shrimp and Rice recipe. You can also serve it as an easy and tasty main course for a family dinner with veggies and potatoes or rice, or a fabulous addition to any salad, pasta dish, or bowl. You can even serve them in lettuce wraps or with my healthy Greek yogurt Cajun Remoulade as an appetizer.
Here are some creative ways to round out your meal. I hope you enjoy these as much as we do.
Serve it with:
- Greek Yogurt Healthy Cole Slaw
- Healthy Cajun Remoulade
- Asparagus and Tomato Salad with Feta
- Avocado Caprese Salad
- Healthy Greek Yogurt Potato Salad
- Greek Couscous Salad
- Roasted Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts
- Grilled Zucchini in Foil
- Grilled Asparagus in Foil
- Mediterranean Roast Vegetables
- Roasted Broccoli with Mushrooms
- 4 Ingredient Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Creamy Gnocchi Pesto
- Cheesy Ranch Potatoes
- Garlic Roasted Green Beans
- Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
- Roasted Baby Red Potatoes
- Kale Ceasar Salad
5 Minute, 5 Ingredient Cajun Shrimp Recipe Share on X
More Cajun Recipes To Try:
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning
- Healthy Cajun Remoulade
- Cajun Shrimp & Rice
- Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Cajun Shrimp Burger
More Shrimp Recipes to Try:
25+ Healthy Shrimp Recipes including Shrimp Taco Bowls, Shrimp Terikai, and Shrimp Fajitas
If you make this Cajun Shrimp recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Cajun Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound large shrimp
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
Instructions
- In a medium sized skillet over medium heat add the butter and melt it.
- Add the garlic and saute for just 30 seconds.
- Add the shrimp to the pan.
- Add the cajun seasoning to the pan. Toss to coat.
- Cook for just 3-5 minutes until the shrimp are opaque and just starting to curl.
- Remove from the heat and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices.
Notes
Nutrition
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