Cajun Shrimp Recipe

This easy Cajun shrimp recipe takes just 5 minutes on the stove for a big payoff in flavor! Whip it up as a quick weeknight dinner.

Shrimp are one of the simplest paths to a fast and easy dinner, and this recipe makes them taste irresistible in minutes. Try this Cajun Shrimp! Toss these babies with a little Cajun seasoning and sauté them up in a skillet. The flavor is so savory, garlicky and irresistible, you’ll hardly believe the prep time: it takes only 5 minutes to put together! Pair it with a quick veggie side or salad and you’ve got dinner. This one is a big favorite over here, on its own or in Cajun Shrimp Pasta.

This Cajun shrimp recipe is inspired by the flavors of Cajun cuisine, a style of cooking developed by the Acadians: French colonists living in Canada who were deported to Louisiana in the 1700’s. Over the centuries this developed into a classic cooking style, similar to but distinct from Creole cuisine.

This recipe is not an authentic Cajun recipe, but uses the flavors common in this cuisine to make quick and easy pan-fried shrimp. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

There are loads of options when it comes to shopping for shrimp at the grocery. Here’s what to look for in this Cajun shrimp recipe:

cajun shrimp recipe

Let’s Cook Up Some Shrimp!
  1. Melt: In a medium sized skillet over medium high heat add the butter and melt. Add in the garlic.
  2. Toss: Add in the shrimp and cajun seasoning and toss in the butter to coat.
  3. Cook: Once the shrimp is tossed in the seasoning, cook for 3-5 minutes until shrimp is opaque and cooked throughout.

Cajun Shrimp Recipe (Spicy Version Included)

cajun shrimp recipe

This Cajun Shrimp recipe is perfect with rice or pasta or salad – it’s an easy recipe with homemade cajun seasoning and only takes 15 minutes to make!

Prep: 5min

Total: 15min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 serving, calories 149 kcal, Carbohydrate 1 g, Protein 23 g, Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 286 mg, Sodium 1028 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (use up to 1/4 teaspoon for spicier shrimp)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound uncooked shrimp (peeled and deveined)

Instruction:

  1. Add smoked paprika, thyme, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and oil to a large skillet. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add the shrimp and sauté over medium-high heat until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Serve hot plain or over rice or pasta.

Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet

cajun shrimp recipe

This Cajun Shrimp and Rice Skillet is a one-pot wonder full of flavorful shrimp and rice with a Cajun seasoning that the entire family will enjoy!

Prep: 10min

Total: 30min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 453 kcal, Carbohydrate 51 g, Protein 29 g, Fat 14 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 286 mg, Sodium 2174 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 ⅓ cups uncooked long grain white rice
  • 2 ⅔ cup chicken broth
  • 1 pound large or jumbo shrimp (peeled and de-veined )
  • 4 tablespoons butter (melted, divided)
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • cajun seasoning (see below)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano (may sub an Italian herb blend or Herbs de Provence)
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instruction:

  1. Whisk together all of the ingredients for the cajun seasoning. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in garlic, half of the cajun seasoning, and the rice.
  2. Stir in chicken broth, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring 1-2 times throughout.
  3. While rice is cooking, prepare the shrimp by stirring together remaining 2 table spoons melted butter and remaining cajun seasoning. Pour over shrimp and toss to coat.
  4. Stir shrimp into the rice, cover and cook 3-5 minutes longer until shrimp is pink and opaque. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve.

Easy Cajun Shrimp

cajun shrimp recipe

This easy Cajun shrimp recipe takes just 5 minutes on the stove for a big payoff in flavor! Whip it up as a quick weeknight dinner.

Prep: 2min

Total: 5min

Yield: 4

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons purchased Cajun seasoning OR 1 1/2 tablespoons homemade Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instruction:

  1. Pat the shrimp dry. In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp with ½ teaspoon kosher salt, the Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and onion powder.
  2. In your largest skillet* (cast iron or stainless preferred), heat the olive oil on medium high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just opaque and cooked through, turning them with tongs. Once cooked through, serve immediately.

SPICY CAJUN SHRIMP. Recipe

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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