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This quick and easy Blackened Shrimp recipe is made with a blend of simple, yet delicious spices that take the flavor of this dish to the next level! These tasty shrimp are great as a healthy main served with your favorite sides or incorporated into meals like tacos, salads, and burrito bowls!

Another delicious shrimp recipe I know you will love is my honey walnut shrimp. It is so good!

Top view of a round white plate with rice topped with blackened shrimp and lemon garnishes.
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Blackened shrimp is simple to make and can be ready in about 10 minutes, prep time included. The wonderful mix of spices adds the perfect amount of seasoning and makes a nice crisp seasoned edge when cooked. You will be amazed that such an easy recipe creates such incredible taste and texture of the shrimp.

Serve them with some cilantro lime rice or some of my garlic butter mashed cauliflower.

💬 Summary

  • Quick and easy: If you’re in search of a dinner that’s full of flavor but can also be served in minutes, this recipe is it! This is the perfect fast and tasty meal for busy weeknights or when you just don’t feel like doing much cooking.
  • Healthy: Shrimp is an excellent choice for a healthy lunch or dinner. High in protein and it is also low in carbs and fat!
  • A major crowd-pleaser: Fresh, tender shrimp is smothered with spices then seared to charred perfection for a taste that the whole family will love! This is one of those meals that everyone is going to think that you slaved over, but it could not be any easier.
  • Versatile: Not only can you customize the spices and adjust the heat level, but you can serve this shrimp so many different ways!
Blackened served with rice on a white plate.

🍤 Ingredients

The ingredients for this blackened shrimp recipe aside from the shrimp are all pantry staples. This dish is so fuss-free and tasty, you’ll want to make it on repeat!

  • Spice mix: A cajun-inspired blend of smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, coriander, kosher salt and black pepper come together for the most mouth-watering, to-die-for flavor!
  • Oil: For cooking the shrimp. You can use olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Jumbo shrimp: Peel and devein raw, uncooked shrimp for this recipe.
Raw shrimp with small bowls of spices.

🔪 Instructions

If you have 10 minutes, then you have enough time to get this shrimp on the dinner table. Your whole family is sure to enjoy it! Here’s the simple method:

  1. Make spice mix: In a small bowl, combine all the seasonings.
  2. Prep shrimp: Place the thawed shrimp in a bowl and pat dry with paper towels to eliminate the remaining water.
  3. Season shrimp: Sprinkle with the seasoning mix or splice blend and stir well to coat each shrimp.
  4. Cook: Preheat a large heavy-bottom skillet or a cast iron skillet over medium heat and drizzle with the oil. Working in 2 batches, add the shrimp in a single layer and cook until charred and curled, about 2 minutes per side.

📃 My tips

  • Shrimp: Feel free to use frozen shrimp, just be sure to thaw first. Buy it peeled and deveined for convenience and remove the tails if you’d like.
  • Thawing frozen shrimp: If you are going to use frozen shrimp, thaw it by placing it in a bowl of cool water for a few minutes.
  • Coating in spices: Be sure to completely coat the shrimp in the seasonings. This will make sure the intense flavor is in every bite and it will be less likely to stick to the pan.
  • Use a hot skillet: Use a heavy-bottomed or cast iron skillet for an even distribution of heat. Also, ensure that it is hot when you add the shrimp to it, so they blacken evenly and don’t stick.
  • Don’t move the shrimp: Be patient and allow the shrimp to cook for two minutes on the first side, then flip and let it cook for another two minutes. Try not to flip back and forth.
  • Don’t overcook: Watch the shrimp closely, as it cooks very quickly. You do not want to overcook it or it will turn out tough and rubbery.
top view of a round white plate with white rice and shrimp along with lemon garnishes

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called blackened shrimp?

Blackened shrimp is not burnt; it’s simply coated in a spice blend that takes on an almost black color when cooked in a skillet.

Is blackened shrimp good for you?

Yes, this shrimp recipe is made with simple ingredients and shrimp is a great source of protein and many vitamins and minerals. Round out the meal with a complex carb and some vegetables, and you’ll have yourself a balanced nutritious meal.

Is it OK to eat the black vein in shrimp?

The black line on the top of a shrimp is its digestive tract, and while it’s safe to eat, we recommend removing or deveining the shrimp because it can have a bitter taste and a sandy texture.

🍲 Variations

Change up the flavor of this blackened shrimp to fit your preference! Here are a couple of ideas:

Blackened shrimp served over white rice with lemon wedges.

🍚 Serving suggestions

There are so many options when it comes to how to serve your blackened shrimp! It’s great with salads, pasta dishes, pasta salads, rice and vegetables. Here are some ideas:

🫙Storage recommendations

Shrimp is best enjoyed immediately after being cooked but leftovers are great over salads or wrapped in tortillas and served with taco fixings. Here’s the best way to keep it fresh:

  • Storing leftovers: Place leftover blackened shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for about two days.
  • To reheat: Rewarm shrimp on the stove with about a teaspoon of olive oil on medium heat for about 1-2 minutes until they are heated through.
Cooked shrimp garnished with fresh parsley.

More shrimp recipes

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5 from 3 votes

Blackened Shrimp

By: Rena
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
top view of a round white plate with rice topped with blackened shrimp and lemon garnishes
This quick and easy Blackened Shrimp recipe is made with a blend of simple, yet delicious spices that take the flavor of this dish to the next level! These tasty shrimp are great as a healthy main served with your favorite sides or incorporated into meals like tacos, salads, and burrito bowls!

Equipment

  • non stick skillet
  • spatula

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 1 teaspoon fine kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil, or avocado oil
  • 1 pound raw jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine all the seasonings.
  • Place the thawed shrimp in a bowl and pat dry with paper towels to eliminate the remaining water.
  • Sprinkle with the seasoning mix and stir well to coat each shrimp.
  • Preheat a large heavy-bottom skillet over medium heat and drizzle with the oil.
  • Working in 2 batches, add the shrimp in a single layer and cook until charred and curled, about 2 minutes per each side.

Notes

  • Storing leftovers: Place leftover blackened shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for about two days.
  • To reheat: You can cook shrimp on the stove with about a teaspoon of olive oil on medium heat for about 1-2 minutes until they are heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 124kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 16gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 1226mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 1189IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 84mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, cajun
Tried this recipe?Mention @healthyfitnessmeals or tag #healthyfitnessmeals!

About Rena Awada

Hi, Iโ€™m Rena! Welcome to my blog. I am here to help you prepare delicious, light, fresh meals that your whole family will love!

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5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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