Quick & Easy Blackened Shrimp Recipe
This Quick & Easy Blackened Shrimp recipe offers a flavorful and spicy seafood dish that’s perfect for a fast weeknight meal or an impressive appetizer. Coated in a robust blend of Cajun spices and quickly seared in a skillet, these shrimp are tender and juicy with a smoky blackened crust. Served with a tangy, creamy remoulade sauce, this recipe is simple yet packed with bold Southern flavors.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Seafood
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cajun / Southern
Remoulade Sauce (Optional)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard (Creole mustard preferred)
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning (Louisiana, Tony Chachere’s, etc.)
- 2 teaspoons capers (roughly chopped)
- 1 teaspoon horseradish
- ½ teaspoon pickle juice (dill or sweet)
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce (Tabasco, Crystal, Louisiana, etc.)
- 1 clove garlic (minced, smashed)
Shrimp and Spice Blend
- 1 pound raw shrimp (26 to 30 count, peeled, deveined)
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛–¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- Make the Remoulade Sauce (Optional): In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning, 2 teaspoons roughly chopped capers, 1 teaspoon horseradish, ½ teaspoon pickle juice, ½ teaspoon hot sauce, and 1 clove minced garlic until fully combined. You can serve this sauce immediately or cover and chill it for at least one hour to develop the flavors.
- Prepare the Spice Blend: In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust based on heat preference), ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon onion powder. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly blended.
- Season the Shrimp: Place 1 pound of raw peeled and deveined shrimp in a medium bowl. Add the spice blend and gently stir or toss the shrimp until they are fully and evenly coated with the seasoning mixture. Set aside.
- Heat the Skillet: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is warm, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil and tilt or swirl the pan to coat the entire cooking surface. Continue heating until the oil shimmers and is hot enough for cooking.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the seasoned shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer without crowding. Cook the shrimp undisturbed for 1 minute to develop a blackened crust. Flip each shrimp over and cook for another 1 minute until the shrimp become opaque and curl into a ‘J’ shape. Be careful not to overcook as shrimp become rubbery if cooked too long.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked shrimp to a serving bowl or plate. Serve warm alongside the prepared remoulade sauce if using, with your choice of sides such as rice, salad, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to control the heat level to your preference.
- The remoulade sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for better flavor melding.
- Use fresh shrimp for best results, but frozen shrimp thawed properly will also work.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet when cooking shrimp; cook in batches if necessary.
Keywords: blackened shrimp, Cajun shrimp, quick shrimp recipe, easy seafood, blackened seasoning, remoulade sauce, spicy shrimp