Cajun Shrimp Recipe (10 Minute Meal)

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Last Updated on October 3, 2023 by Toya

You have to try out this delicious spicy cajun shrimp recipe made with just 3 ingredients! This recipe is great for a quick weeknight dinner and goes well with rice, veggies, or stir fries and is low carb and low in calories!

Cajun shrimp Recipe

This spicy cajun shrimp recipe is a 10-minute seafood meal that tastes amazing. Made with just three ingredients in one skillet, this one-pan cajun shrimp can be served in so many ways and is perfect for weeknight dinners or dinner parties.

When it comes to shrimp recipes, cajun shrimp along with garlic butter shrimp, and these air fryer shrimp are favorites in my household. This easy recipe will surely become a hit in your family too! 

The best part is that this meal is not complicated at all and is, in fact, one of the easiest meals you can make. Perfect for busy nights when you want to enjoy something good without the hassle. 

Ingredients for cajun shrimp

• 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 lb. of jumbo shrimp

What is cajun seasoning made of?

I make my own cajun seasoning for shrimp and other cajun recipes with a mix of paprika, garlic powder, ground black pepper, onion powder, ground white pepper, oregano, cayenne, cumin, thyme, and salt. You can find a simple recipe for Cajun seasoning here. 

Note: The cayenne pepper is what makes the cajun seasoning spicy. Therefore, if you want some more spice, simply add in some more of the cayenne pepper. 

How to make cajun shrimp

To start, gather all of your ingredients in one place.

Then, add the olive oil to a skillet on medium to high heat.

Next, add the cajun seasoning and shrimp to the skillet and cook the shrimp on each side for 7 minutes.

Storing cajun style shrimp

This recipe is best served immediately. However, if you have any leftovers, go ahead and store these by wrapping tightly in aluminum foil and refrigerating them for no more than 4 days. 

You can also freeze this shrimp recipe. To freeze, allow the shrimp to cool completely. Then place them in an air-tight container and freeze for up to 2 months.

To reheat, thaw the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight. Then add a little oil or butter to a skillet and warm until the shrimp is hot to the touch.

What to serve with cajun shrimp

Here are a few ways to serve cajun-style shrimp:

• Serve cajun shrimp over a bed of white rice. I follow keto so I substitute with chipotle cauliflower rice.
• Serve them with vegetables like bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots. You can also serve the cajun sautéed shrimp with an easy vegetable stir fry. 
• Serve the shrimp with a simple green salad. 
• Serve the shrimp over a bowl of ramen noodles made without seasoning packets

Important recipe tips

For the best cajun shrimp recipe, follow these simple tips below.

Toast the Cajun seasoning mix before adding the shrimp and olive oil. That way, the flavors from all the spices and herbs will be released, making this recipe nicely aromatic and flavorful.

Also, make sure the shrimp are cooked properly

It is very important that you cook the shrimp properly. You don’t want to overcook or undercook your shrimp. To ensure optimal results for this easy shrimp recipe, follow these simple tips below:

When shrimp is raw, the meat color usually ranges from shades of white, gray, light blue, pink, or dark gray. When shrimp is cooked, it should become opaque white with some pink or red accents. It is very important that you never eat shrimp that is still translucent or gray after it has been cooked. 

Another way to tell is by the shape of the shrimp. Raw shrimp has a slight curl. However, once cooked, they naturally take on a C-shape. 

Yet another way to tell if your shrimp is ready is by the temperature. If you have a food thermometer, check the internal temperature of the shrimp. if it is 165 °F, then you know they are ready!

Now that you know when your cajun sautéed shrimp is ready, it’s time to dig in and enjoy! Let me know how you liked this easy shrimp cajun recipe below!

More cajun recipes readers love:

• Cajun wings
• Cajun sauce
• Cajun butter sauce