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Get It NowLove seafood and Cajun cuisine? Get ready to jazz up your dinner routine with my latest creation: a mouthwatering Cajun shrimp recipe that’s bursting with flavor and oh-so-easy. I make this when I want to give my sauteed shrimp a nice kick… a.k.a. when my kids aren’t home. 😉 Mission accomplished. And if you have my Cajun spice blend (or a store-bought version) on hand, you literally need just 4 ingredients to make this zingy dish!
Why You’ll Love My Cajun Shrimp Recipe
- Bold Cajun flavors – My seasoning mix packs this Cajun shrimp with a spicy, earthy punch in every bite. It tastes like ones I’ve had at Southern restaurants.
- Juicy, tender shrimp – Sauteing in butter quickly makes them tender and juicy (never rubbery), with that perfect caramelized sear we all love.
- Quick and easy – This might be my fastest main dish yet! You can make this Cajun shrimp recipe in 7 minutes. (Yes, I said seven!)
- Versatile for any occasion – Serve it as a main course, toss it in a salad, use it as a flavorful topping… there are so many ways to enjoy Cajun shrimp. Try one of my ideas below!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my Cajun shrimp recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Shrimp – I use large shrimp (31-35 per pound), and buy them peeled and deveined so I don’t have to deal with peeling them. Smaller or larger ones will work, though. The cook time may vary by a minute or so depending on their size.
- Cajun Seasoning – I make my own homemade Cajun Seasoning with paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, oregano, thyme, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. It takes just a few minutes to stir these together and I usually have some pre-mixed in my pantry, but feel free to use a store-bought blend if that’s what you’ve got. Add 3/4 teaspoon of salt to the dish if your mix is unsalted.
- Butter – For maximum flavor, saute the shrimp in unsalted butter like I do. But if you’re dairy-free or just want to lighten it up, olive oil works just fine.
- Lemon – A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens up the dish, and it helps to balance the heat of the seasoning.
How To Make Cajun Shrimp
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Season the shrimp. Pat it dry with paper towels first, then toss with Cajun seasoning in a large bowl.
- Saute until nice and juicy. In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer, and sauté until the shrimp is pink and opaque.
- Add a squeeze of lemon. Remove from heat. Give the Cajun shrimp a big squeeze of fresh lemon juice all over. I like a little sprinkle of fresh parsley too, or you can even make my quick lemon butter sauce for dipping.
My Recipe Tips
- Leave the tails on if you can. Cooking the shrimp with tails will make them more flavorful. But, sometimes I do remove them upfront if I’ll be mixing them into another dish, like zucchini noodles.
- I highly recommend a cast iron skillet. Any large pan will technically work, but you can’t beat the browning, quick cooking, and little caramelized edges you get with cast iron.
- Be careful not to overcook. Shrimp are speedy little things, so keep a close eye on them to avoid that tough, rubbery texture. They’re good to go when they turn that lovely pink and opaque color. It usually takes me about 3-4 minutes total.
- Remove from the pan quickly. Your Cajun shrimp will continue to cook in the skillet from the residual heat, so transfer to a plate right away to prevent overcooking.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I like to repurpose them to make (a spicier) shrimp avocado salad, my shrimp Caesar salad, or even throw them into my Cajun seafood boil.
- Reheat: Simply warm them in a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Freeze: Toss your Cajun shrimp into a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before you warm them up.
Serving Suggestions
Since this main dish is ready in just 7 minutes, I like to pair it with fast sides for a quick dinner. Here are some ideas:
- Veggies – Air fryer asparagus takes 7 minutes as well, so I can have a complete meal done at the same time. You can also just saute vegetables (like bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini) while you’re making Cajun shrimp. For a Southern theme, serve it with my sauteed cabbage.
- Potatoes – When I want something hearty, I throw some potatoes in the air fryer about 10 minutes before I start making the shrimp.
- Bowls – I’ve been really into this concept lately, for a variety of colors and textures. Last time, I swapped the salmon for this shrimp in my salmon bowl — you can make it with white rice, or lighter and quicker frozen cauliflower rice like I did. It was everything I imagined!
- Noodles – Toss the Cajun shrimp with your favorite pasta, zoodles, or spaghetti squash, along with some fresh tomatoes. For the sauce, I like to whisk some of the Cajun seasoning into Alfredo sauce.
- Tacos – Stuff the shrimp into your favorite tortillas, along with fresh salsa, avocado slices, shredded lettuce, and a dollop of sour cream. I’ve also done this in a lettuce wrap.
More Quick Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp is so versatile and fast to whip up! If you need a flavorful dinner in a hurry, try one of my other shrimp recipes:
Cajun Shrimp (7 Minutes)
Spice up dinner with my Cajun shrimp recipe! You'll love this juicy shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices, cooked in butter and served with lemon.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
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In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning.
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In a large cast iron skillet, heat the butter or oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp. Sauté for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side, until the shrimp is pink and opaque.
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Remove from heat. Squeeze with fresh lemon juice.
Did You Make My Recipe?
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Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 7-9 shrimp, or 1/4 of entire recipe
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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4 Comments
Sha
0This is perfectly seasoned and cooked that even the picky feasted on it! Such a must-try!
Natalie R
0Loaded with flavor and so easy to make! We loved this recipe, thank you!
Kristen
0This was amazing, one of my new favorite ways to have shrimp.
Daphne
0This recipe is amazing! The shrimp are juicy and perfectly seasoned with Cajun spices, cooked in butter, and served with a squeeze of lemon. It was a hit at dinner!