Blackened shrimp is an easy, flavorful, Cajun-inspired dinner that’s ready from start to finish in just 15 minutes!
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Don’t miss this blackened salmon and blackened chicken, too!
Blackened shrimp is a bold, flavorful dish that originated in Cajun and Creole cuisine and rose to popularity in the 1980s. Known for its signature smoky, spicy crust, the shrimp are coated in a homemade blackened seasoninn recipe blend featuring a mix of cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. They’re then quickly seared in a hot skillet with butter to create a deep, flavorful char. This cooking method locks in the shrimp’s natural sweetness while adding a punch of spice and richness. Serve it with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon for a bright, zesty finish!
This Blackened Shrimp Recipe is a Perfect Weeknight Dinner
With minimal prep time and just 5 minutes in a skillet, blackened shrimp is a great weeknight meal for your busiest days. You can pull together the seasoning with basic pantry staples and adjust the heat to suit your family’s preferences. Use the versatile shrimp in tacos, wraps, po’ boys, or salads. It’s also great alongside white rice, red rice, a classic Southern cornbread recipe, Jiffy cornbread with creamed corn, or this cool, creamy coleslaw dressing.
Ingredient Notes and Tips for Success
- It only takes about 5 minutes to stir together a homemade blackened seasoning recipe. That said, if you already have store-bought blackened seasoning in your pantry, you can use 4 teaspoons of that instead.
- You’ll need peeled and deveined shrimp. You can leave the tails on or take them off — it’s just a matter of personal preference.
- Use any size shrimp. We love either “large” or “extra large” shrimp, which have great flavor and a “meatier” texture. They’re also more expensive, so take that into consideration and purchase the size that best fits your budget. If you’re using smaller shrimp, you’ll just need to reduce the cooking time slightly.
- If starting with frozen shrimp, thaw the shrimp overnight in the refrigerator or place the frozen shrimp in a colander and run under cold water until thawed. Quick and easy!
How to Make Blackened Shrimp
A cast iron skillet and a delicious homemade blackened seasoning recipe are the keys to perfectly blackened shrimp! You’ll find detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the overview:
- Pat the shrimp dry to absorb any excess moisture, which will ensure that the shrimp develops that great crusty exterior in the hot skillet. Toss with olive oil.
- Stir together the blackening seasoning in a small bowl.
- Add the seasoning to the shrimp and toss to coat.
- Sear the shrimp in melted butter in a hot skillet. Use a really big skillet (mine is 14 inches in diameter), or cook the shrimp in batches so that you can spread them out in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. The pan-seared shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque. This typically takes about 1-2 minutes per side for large shrimp.
Serving Suggestions
This easy blackened shrimp recipe pairs well with a variety of sides, whether you’re going for a light and fresh meal or something hearty and comforting. For instance, serve them with grilled potatoes, cheese grits, stick of butter rice, or spaghetti salad. They’re great with Alfredo pasta or buttery angel hair pasta, a skillet of cast iron cornbread, 3-ingredient buttermilk biscuits, or this crusty baguette bread recipe. As far as veggies go, pair the zesty shrimp with oven roasted asparagus, sauteed zucchini, corn on the cob in the oven, this corn fritters recipe, or this cool and crunchy traditional coleslaw recipe.
Did you make this recipe?
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Blackened Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley, sliced green onions, or fresh lemon wedges
HOMEMADE BLACKENED SEASONING
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne (omit or decrease for a mild flavor)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the blackened seasoning ingredients.
- Add the seasoning to the shrimp and toss to coat.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Cook until the shrimp are opaque and have a nice blackened crust, about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Remove from the heat and serve with chopped fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe Variations
- Blackened shrimp tacos: Serve the shrimp in warm corn or flour tortillas. Top with shredded cabbage, avocado slices, and a drizzle of lime crema or chipotle mayo.
- Blackened shrimp pasta: Toss the cooked shrimp with fettuccine or linguine. Add a creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce for a decadent meal.
- Shrimp and grits: Serve over cheesy grits with a sprinkle of crispy bacon and green onions for a classic Southern twist.
- Blackened shrimp salad: Pile the shrimp on a bed of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocado with a creamy buttermilk dressing or a tangy lemon vinaigrette.
- Blackened shrimp bowl: Serve over Cajun dirty rice, cilantro lime rice, or coconut rice with black beans and fresh salsa.
More Cajun Shrimp Recipes
Cajun Shrimp Pasta Alfredo
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Dump-and-Bake Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta
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Easy Shrimp Po’ Boy {Baked Not Fried!}
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This was so easy & delicious!
Yay! Thanks, Renee!