Cajun Shrimp

This easy Cajun Shrimp recipe delivers bold, smoky flavor with just a handful of simple ingredients. Ready in minutes, these tender grilled shrimp are buttery, garlicky and perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of heat. A delicious appetizer, light dinner or addition to salads, pasta and rice.

Love shrimp? Check out these favorites: Cajun Shrimp Pasta, Air Fryer Shrimp, Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil and this Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta!

Cajun Shrimp Recipe

Cajun Shrimp is a quick and flavorful recipe that’s perfect for summer grilling, easy weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. This quintessential summer staple delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Jumbo shrimp are coated in melted butter, Cajun seasoning, fresh garlic, parsley and lemon juice before being grilled until tender and juicy.

This recipe comes together in minutes and requires just a handful of simple ingredients. Bold flavor with a signature New Orleans-style kick ensure this recipe is a new family favorite.

Serve the shrimp straight from the skewers, tuck them into tacos or pair them with rice, pasta or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These grilled shrimp may be simple to prepare, but they deliver plenty of bold, savory flavor. The quick cooking time also makes this recipe especially convenient when you need something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.

• Quick and easy: The shrimp need just a few minutes of preparation and cook in under 10 minutes.
• Packed with flavor: Cajun seasoning, garlic, butter and lemon create a delicious balance of smoky, savory and bright flavors.
• Perfect for grilling season: Shrimp cook beautifully on the grill and make a great addition to summer meals.
• Easy to serve: Enjoy the shrimp as an appetizer, entrée, taco filling or topping for salads and pasta.
• Simple ingredients: Everything needed for this recipe is easy to find and may already be in your kitchen.

Let’s Talk Shrimp

Raw jumbo or large shrimp work best for this recipe. Shrimp labeled with a count such as 16/20 or 21/25 are a good size for grilling, as the number indicates approximately how many shrimp are included in one pound.

The shrimp can be prepared with the tails on or off. Leaving the tails attached creates a nice presentation and gives guests something to hold when serving the shrimp as an appetizer. Removing them makes the shrimp easier to eat in tacos, pasta dishes and rice bowls.

Frozen shrimp can also be used. Thaw them completely in the refrigerator or under cold running water, then pat them very dry with paper towels before adding the seasoning mixture. Removing excess moisture helps the shrimp sear instead of steam.

How To Make Cajun Shrimp

This recipe cooks quickly, so have the grill preheated and all serving dishes ready before placing the shrimp over the heat. Keeping the shrimp on skewers makes them easy to turn and prevents them from falling through the grill grates.

Let’s take a quick look at how to make these bars and as always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.

1. Soak wooden skewers (if using) in water for at least 15-20 minutes before grilling.
2. Add melted butter, Cajun seasoning, garlic, chopped parsley and lemon juice to the shrimp in a medium bowl.
3. Toss together until shrimp are evenly coated.
4. Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, roughly 5 or 6 per skewer.
5. Grill the shrimp over medium high heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque.
6. Remove and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon.

Storage Information

Cajun Shrimp is best served immediately after grilling, when the shrimp are warm and tender. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheat the shrimp gently in a skillet over low heat or in the air fryer – avoid the microwave as it makes shrimp rubbery. Avoid overheating them, as shrimp can quickly become tough and dry. Leftover shrimp can also be enjoyed cold in salads or wraps.

Make-Ahead Instructions

The shrimp can be peeled, deveined and placed on the skewers several hours ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to season and grill them.

For the best texture, do not leave the shrimp in the lemon and seasoning mixture for an extended period. The acid in the lemon juice can begin to alter the texture of the shrimp. Toss everything together shortly before grilling.

Variations To Try

This easy shrimp recipe can be adapted with different seasonings, cooking methods and serving ideas to breathe new life into this simple recipe.

• Add cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce for additional heat.
• Use a mild Cajun seasoning or reduce the amount slightly for more sensitive palates.
• Include fresh lemon zest or substitute lime juice for the lemon juice.
• Add an extra clove of garlic and brush the cooked shrimp with additional melted butter.
• Add a small amount of smoked paprika to the seasoning mixture.
• Alternate shrimp with pieces of bell pepper, onion or zucchini on the skewers. Cut the vegetables into small pieces so they cook quickly.
• Turn them into tacos: Remove the shrimp from the skewers and serve in tortillas with shredded cabbage, avocado and a creamy sauce.
• Make a Cajun shrimp bowl: Serve over rice with corn, black beans, tomatoes and sliced avocado.

Can I make this recipe without a grill?

• Absolutely! This recipe can easily be prepared on a grill pan or skillet. Heat the pan over medium-high heat and cook the skewered shrimp for approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• The shrimp can also be cooked without skewers in a large skillet. Heat a heavy skillet or grill pan over high heat with a tablespoon of oil. Sear the shrimp (without skewers) for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
• To make in the oven, arrange the shrimp on a lined baking sheet and bake at 425°F for approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Broil briefly at the end for additional browning making sure to watch closely to prevent overcooking.

Can I cook frozen shrimp?

Absolutely! Just make sure the shrimp is fully thawed before seasoning and grilling. Frozen shrimp release too much moisture and will not cook evenly.

How do I know when the shrimp are cooked?

Shrimp cook very quickly – which is awesome! – but, they can become rubbery if cooked too long. Properly cooked shrimp will turn from gray and translucent to pink and opaque. Keep a close eye on them!

The shrimp should also curl into a loose “C” shape. A tightly curled “O” shape can indicate that they have cooked too long. Begin checking them after about 2 minutes on each side, especially when using a very hot grill or grill pan.

Can I use metal skewers?

Yes. The benefits of using metal skewers is that you don’t have to saod them and they conduct heat well. Just be careful – they get hot!

How do I keep shrimp from sticking to the grill?

Make sure the grill grates are clean and properly preheated. Lightly oil the grates before adding the skewers, and avoid turning the shrimp until they release easily.

Trish’s Tips

• Grating the garlic instead of mincing it creates a fine paste that emulsifies into the melted butter.
• Pat the shrimp dry before adding the butter and seasonings. Excess moisture can prevent them from browning.
• Soaking wooden skewers is a crucial step – don’t skip it!
• Make sure to thread each shrimp through two points to keep them from spinning when the skewers are turned.
• Don’t overcrowd the skewers. Leaving a little room between the shrimp helps the heat circulate.
• Keep a close eye on the shrimp because they can go from perfectly cooked to overdone very quickly.

More Shrimp Favorites

1. Honey Walnut Shrimp
2. Shrimp Curry
3. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
4. Shrimp Foil Packets
5. Shrimp Nachos