Easy Cajun Shrimp

This easy Cajun Shrimp recipe only takes 5 minutes on the stovetop for a big flavor boost! Prepare it for a quick weeknight dinner.

Shrimp are one of the easiest ways to make a quick and easy dinner, and this recipe will make them irresistible in minutes. try that Cajun shrimp! Toss these babies with some Cajun seasoning and sauté them in a skillet. The flavor is so savory, garlicky and irresistible, you won’t believe the prep time – it only takes 5 minutes to put together! Pair it with a quick vegetable side or salad and you have dinner. This one is a big favorite here, alone or in Cajun Shrimp Pasta.

Would you like to grill it instead? Try the grilled Cajun shrimp.

What’s in that Cajun Shrimp?

This Cajun shrimp recipe is inspired by the flavors of Cajun cuisine, a cooking style pioneered by the Acadians: Canadian-based French settlers who were deported to Louisiana in the 18th century. has evolved into a classic style of cooking similar to, but different from, Creole cuisine.

Not an authentic Cajun recipe, this recipe uses common Cajun flavors to make seared shrimp quick and easy. Here’s what you need to craft it:

• shrimp: fresh or frozen, deveined and tailless
• Cajun Spice: homemade or bought
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• olive oil
• Kosher salt

The shrimp species to look for

There are many ways to buy shrimp from the grocery store. Here’s what to look for in this Cajun shrimp recipe:

• Medium to large shrimp: Medium is labeled 41-50 units and Large is labeled 31-40 units (the number of shrimp per pound).
• tomboy: Wild fish caught in your country is generally a sustainable choice. There are also quality options at well-regulated farms; see Seafood Watch consumer guide.
• tail or peeled: the tail looks the most beautiful out of the pan! But you can leave it peeled to make it easier to eat (or make sure to cook the discarded tails)
• Fresh or frozen: Both are of similar quality! Frozen shrimp can be as valuable as fresh when frozen as soon as they are caught.

Cajun Seasoning: Homemade vs Store-bought

Here’s the important part of this Cajun shrimp recipe: the seasoning! If you can, we like it with homemade Cajun seasoning. But you can use store-bought ones to make the prep time even quicker! Keep in mind that store-bought Cajun spices vary in spiciness. Here’s what you need to know:

• house spice: This homemade Cajun seasoning has incredible flavor: it contains paprika, garlic and onion powder, thyme, fennel seed, cumin, and cayenne pepper. A big plus for this recipe? You can adjust the heat level as you like. Air on the lower side of the cayenne, or use even less if you’re very heat sensitive.

• Purchased Cajun Seasoning: Store-bought spice mixes can vary in heat, so give them a little flavor before adding them. It really depends on the brand! Because our homemade seasonings aren’t as spicy as most store-bought brands, you can use more to flavor your shrimp.

How to Make Cajun Shrimp (Basic Steps)

This Cajun Shrimp recipe is so quick and easy, it’ll be ready in the time it takes you to read these words! Here’s the basic idea (or continue with the recipe below):

• Season shrimp: Pat shrimp dry and season with Cajun seasoning, garlic and onion powder, and salt. Seasoning beforehand helps distribute the spices evenly, rather than tossing them straight into the pan (it can get clumpy).
• Fry shrimp: In your largest skillet, add olive oil and sear the shrimp until cooked through, about 1-2 minutes on each side.

Quick and easy side dishes for Cajun shrimp

Once your Cajun shrimp are cooked, what should you serve them with? Because this recipe is so lightning fast, we wanted to find our fastest side dishes to go with it. Here are some side dishes to go with the shrimp:

And that’s it! Let us know what you think of this Cajun Shrimp in the comments below. Or visit Cajun Shrimp Pasta for another round.

This Cajun Shrimp Recipe is…

Gluten free and pescetarian.