Description
This Cajun-Style Shrimp recipe is a quick and flavorful dish featuring large shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices and cooked to perfection in a hot skillet. Served with a zesty lemon garlic parsley butter and optional remoulade for dipping, it’s perfect as an appetizer or a main course paired with rice or vegetables.
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
Flavorings
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Optional
- 1 recipe Remoulade (for dipping)
Instructions
- Season Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place in a large bowl and toss the shrimp evenly with 1 ½ tablespoons of Cajun seasoning to thoroughly coat them.
- Cook Shrimp: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-low heat. Increase heat to medium-high until the mixture is very hot and sizzling. Place half the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp turn opaque and are cooked through. Transfer cooked shrimp to a plate and repeat the process with the remaining shrimp.
- Make Lemon Garlic Butter: Using the now empty skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the minced fresh parsley and lemon juice to combine.
- Serve: You can either use the lemon parsley butter as a dipping sauce or return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, tossing them to coat evenly with the butter sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and additional lemon juice as desired. Serve with optional remoulade on the side for dipping.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen shrimp. If using frozen, ensure it is completely thawed before cooking for best results.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level to make the dish milder or spicier.
- The lemon garlic parsley butter is optional but adds an extra layer of delicious flavor to the shrimp.
- Remoulade sauce is optional but highly recommended for a tangy dipping option.
- This shrimp dish works well as an appetizer served with toothpicks, or as a main course alongside rice, vegetables, pasta, or salads.
