Description
This Cajun-Style Shrimp recipe delivers perfectly seasoned, succulent shrimp cooked in a rich lemon garlic parsley butter. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an easy and flavorful dish perfect as an appetizer or main course, complemented by a creamy remoulade dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 2 pounds large or jumbo shrimp (21-25 count), peeled, deveined, tails on
- 1 ½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Cooking Fats
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for lemon garlic butter)
Flavorings
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Condiments
- 1 recipe Remoulade (for dipping)
Instructions
- Season Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place the shrimp in a large bowl and toss thoroughly with 1 ½ tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, ensuring all shrimp are evenly coated with the spice blend.
- Cook Shrimp: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat. Increase the heat to medium-high until the mixture is very hot and sizzling. Add half of the seasoned shrimp in a single layer to the skillet. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp turn opaque and are cooked through. Transfer cooked shrimp to a plate. Repeat the process with the remaining shrimp.
- Make Lemon Garlic Butter: Return the (now empty) skillet to medium heat and melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Remove the skillet from the heat, then stir in the minced parsley and lemon juice to combine all flavors.
- Serve: You can either serve the lemon parsley butter as a dip alongside the shrimp or return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and toss them gently in the butter mixture to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and additional lemon juice if desired.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw completely before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning depending on your preferred spice level; add more for extra heat or less for a milder taste.
- The lemon garlic parsley butter is optional but highly recommended for adding rich, complementary flavors to the shrimp.
- Remoulade sauce is a great optional dipping sauce that pairs wonderfully with the spicy shrimp.
- Serve this Cajun shrimp as an appetizer with toothpicks, as a main course alongside rice and vegetables, or incorporate into pasta and salads for added flavor and protein.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
