Description
This Cajun-Style Shrimp recipe features succulent large shrimp seasoned with bold Cajun spices, pan-seared to perfection, and finished with a zesty lemon garlic parsley butter. Served with an optional remoulade dipping sauce, this dish is quick, flavorful, and perfect as an appetizer or main course.
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
Dipping Sauce
- 1 recipe Remoulade (for dipping, optional)
Instructions
- Season Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry and place them in a large bowl. Toss the shrimp with 1 ½ tablespoons of Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Increase heat to medium-high. When the skillet is very hot and sizzling, add half of the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through. Transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and repeat this process with the remaining shrimp.
- Make Lemon Garlic Butter: In the now empty skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the minced parsley and lemon juice until combined.
- Serve: You can either serve the shrimp alongside the lemon garlic parsley butter as a dipping sauce or return the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat them evenly in the butter. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and additional lemon juice to your taste.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen shrimp; just be sure to thaw frozen shrimp completely before cooking.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amounts to control the spice level according to your preference.
- The lemon garlic parsley butter is optional but adds a delicious depth of flavor to the shrimp.
- Remoulade sauce is optional but makes a great dipping accompaniment.
- Serve this shrimp as an appetizer with toothpicks, as a main dish alongside rice and vegetables, or add it to salads or pasta for extra flavor.
