Cajun Shrimp

These Cajun Shrimp are full of spicy, smoky flavor with a burst of lemony freshness. Cooked in butter, they're creamy, juicy, and absolutely delicious.

If you love shrimp, then you'll enjoy these Cajun Shrimp. Tossed with Cajun seasoning, they take on a lightly spicy, smoky, garlicky flavor that is so tasty. The butter adds a creamy, rich flavor and the fresh lemon has a nice contrast with its bright acidity. These plump and juicy shrimp are absolutely scrumptious and you'll want to make them again and again.

These Cajun Shrimp make a fantastic addition to any meal. They are super quick and convenient to throw together. They can also be eaten on their own, enjoyed with grains or pasta, tossed with a salad, and more. You have to love a recipe that's this versatile! Adding shrimp to a dish always classes it up, making these shrimp great for serving to friends and family at a nice dinner or lunch. Tweak the spice level of this recipe to fit everyone's needs without losing any of the great flavors by making your own Cajun seasoning blend. Let's look at the ingredients that will be needed.

Video tutorial

Ingredients

• Shrimp. I recommend using large, or jumbo shrimp. Deveined, peeled, and with tails on.
• Cajun Seasoning. Store-bought or you can make it yourself (recipe below).
• Butter. I like butter because it adds a nice creamy texture.
• Garlic. Fresh is best here.
• Lemon.
• Parsley.

How to make Cajun Shrimp

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add the shrimp, garlic, and Cajun seasoning. Cook, stirring often for about 3-4 minutes, or until the shrimp are just cooked.

3. Remove the skillet from the heat, and add the lemon juice and parsley. Stir well and serve.

Tips for the best Cajun Shrimp

• Use prepared shrimp. Save yourself time and work by buying your shrimp already deveined and peeled.
• Preheat the pan. To get a nice crisp outside on your shrimp, preheat the skillet. This way, as the shrimp cook, they develop a delicious crust.
• Don't overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cook quickly, so make sure you don't overcook them, only cook until they are pink and opaque.
• Use fresh ingredients. For the best flavor, use fresh garlic, lemon juice, and chopped parsley in this recipe.

Variations to this Recipe

• Substitute the butter. In place of the butter, you can use olive oil instead. It won't be quite as creamy, but will still add a nice flavor and texture.
• Use other seasonings. If the Cajun seasoning is too spicy, you can make your own to suit your tastes, or use Creole seasoning, Jerk seasoning, and others in its place.
• Add vegetables. You can saute these shrimp with vegetables like onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, or tomatoes for a more filling dish.
• Substitute lime juice. If you haven't got fresh lemon juice or concentrate, you can also add lime juice for a mild citrusy tang.

How to Store and Reheat it

These Cajun Shrimp can be stored in an airtight container once cooled. They will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat them in a skillet on the stovetop, or in the microwave. Just be careful not to overcook them.

Cajun Seasoning Recipe

Did you know you can make the Cajun Seasoning yourself? I make my own because I like to control the level of spiciness. Here is my recipe:

• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Just mix these together and enjoy!

What to serve these shrimp with

• Grains. Serve these Cajun Shrimp atop a pile of rice, bulgur, quinoa, or other grain. Try it with this Rice with Mushrooms, Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, or Easy Bulgur Salad.
• Pasta. Add them to your favorite pasta dish, such as this Radiatore Pasta in Creamy Sauce, Cheesy Cavatappi Pasta, Spaghetti with Olive Oil and Garlic, or Mafaldine Pasta in Tomato Sauce.
• Salad. Level up a salad with these shrimp, like this Wedge Salad, Refreshing Cucumber Salad, Jennifer Aniston Salad, or Avocado Tomato Salad.
• Vegetables. For a low-carb dinner, serve them alongside some Steamed Asparagus, Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Steamed Broccoli Rabe, or Easy Baked Okra.

I hope that this Cajun Shrimp recipe becomes a family favorite that you use again and again. Its amazing flavor and fresh ingredients make this dish a real crowd-pleaser. Enjoy it for lunch or dinner, on its own, or alongside other recipes. With such versatility, how can you not love these shrimp? Enjoy!

More tasty shrimp recipes:

• Easy Shrimp and Vegetable Skillet
• Shrimp Fajitas
• Creamy Shrimp and Zucchini Skillet
• Shrimp in Roasted Pepper Sauce