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This simple and easy-to-make Cajun shrimp recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner when you are pressed for time. A tasty shrimp recipe that can be prepared in less than 15 minutes and ready to serve.
I sometimes serve it with my cilantro lime cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal option.
Shrimp is one of my favorite proteins to prepare simply because they are perfect for when you don’t have much time on your hands to make a decent meal. They take less than 10 minutes to season and cook. Before you know it you have a meal in just 15 minutes. This dish will be perfect for those days when you just can’t be bothered.
Some may argue that shrimp doesn’t have the best quality of protein, but I think of it as chicken of the sea! They are indeed still high in lean protein, low in carbs, and they are low in fat.
Want a pasta Version? Check out my Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe.
Recipe Summary
- Meal prep friendly: If you meal prep, this seared shrimp recipe should be perfect for you. Make batches of this recipe. It stores well, too!
- Easy and delicious: It is easy to make this cajun shrimp and they are quite tasty too! Enjoy tender and juicy shrimp with each bite.
Ingredients you will need
Below is a quick list of minimal ingredients you will need to make this dish. Full ingredients are listed further down below in the recipe card.
- Oil: You may use any neutral-tasting oil of your choice. I used olive oil.
- Shrimp: Use raw shrimp. Get already peeled and deveined shrimp to save on time. I do not recommend you use pre-cooked shrimp. You can also use frozen raw shrimp. Just thaw them ahead.
- Seasonings: Cajun seasoning spice blend is the main seasoning for this recipe. Unless you don’t like cajun, you may use smoked paprika. Consider adding some cayenne pepper for some added heat.
- Salt and pepper: I sprinkle salt and pepper and adjust the amount to taste. Start with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper.
- Lime: The lime wedges are used to garnish at the end if you like a hint of lime or lemons over your seafood or meal. This is optional but recommended
- Fresh parsley to serve is also optional. You may garnish with fresh cilantro too.
How to make Cajun shrimp
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the shrimp: To a large bowl, add the shrimp, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Toss well to evenly coat.
- Cook the shrimp: Next, cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lime wedges. Serve over cooked rice, if desired.
Frequently asked questions
One thing I like about preparing shrimp is playing around with the flavor! You can use any seasoning you like to prepare your shrimp. Simple salt and lemon pepper will do. Other seasoning options that pair well with shrimp are onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cajun seasoning, lemons with garlic, or some hot sauce.
Overcooked shrimps always tend to get chewy and rubbery. So if your shrimp comes out rubbery then you cooked it too much. Shrimp cooks fast and doesn’t need much time to cook. It only needs about 2-3 minutes per side. As soon as the shrimp curls up and turns pink they are cooked and ready.
The quick answer is yes. You can cook pre-cooked shrimp that’s store-bought. They usually come frozen so make sure you thaw them first. I do recommend using raw shrimp since they turn out to be more juicy and tasty. You will be running the risk and rubbery shrimp when you cook cooked shrimp.
To store leftover cajun shrimp, place them in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can freeze your cooked cajun shrimp for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge ahead or reheat in the microwave when ready to serve.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: You may store leftover cajun shrimp in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the microwave for 40-60 seconds or until it is heated through.
Recipe notes and tips
- If you prefer making cajun seasoning at home, check out our post on how to make cajun seasoning.
- Optional side dishes: cooked white rice, cooked quinoa, Couscous, mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash, or cauliflower rice.
- Want to add in some more veggies? You can add in some sliced bell peppers, green beans, asparagus, or broccoli.
- You may use large or medium-sized shrimp. I only suggest that you do not use precooked shrimp and use raw shrimp.
- Do not overcook the shrimp or it will turn out tough and rubbery.
More Seafood recipes
- Healthy Shrimp Salad
- Shrimp Creole Recipe
- Creamy Tuscan Salmon
- Lemon Garlic Baked Cod
- Shrimp Rasta Pasta
- Salmon Piccata Recipe
- Shrimp Fajita Skillet
- Crispy Baked Coconut Shrimp
- Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti
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Easy Cajun Shrimp Recipe
Video
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Lime wedges, to serve
- fresh parsley, finely chopped, For garnish
- cooked jasmine rice, Optional
Instructions
- Heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- To a large bowl, add the 1 pound large shrimp, Kosher salt and ground pepper, and 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning. Toss well to evenly coat.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with Lime wedges. Serve over cooked jasmine rice, if desired.
Notes
- Serving size: half the amount of the shrimp, about half a pound.
- This recipe can easily be doubled to serve 4
- Nutrition facts do not include the rice.
- Use any oil of choice
- You may use lemons if you don’t have lime.
- I prefer that you use raw shrimp instead of pre-cooked
- Serve over rice, cauliflower rice, or quinoa.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Great taste. I used around 1 tablespoon paprika and added a dash garlic powder and 1 tablespoon of lemon and pepper seasoning. Ate it with instant white rice. Great recipe. Definitely will be making it again.
Nice. Thank you!
I doubled the shrimp, not the oil or seasoning. Even with half the Cajun seasoning, it has a kick. Pretty good, though.
Calls for way too much seasoning. Shrimp turned out so incredibly spicy that my husband, who can eat the spiciest foods, couldn’t eat it. My teenager son who loves spicy food had hiccups after just a couple bites. We tried to eat it along with bites of plain jasmine rice and that didn’t help. Definitely need to dial down the amount of Cajun seasoning on this one if you try it.