Cajun Butter Shrimp

Here’s a flavor-packed Cajun Butter Shrimp recipe – juicy shrimp tossed in a garlicky, buttery Cajun sauce that’s perfect with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.

🥘 Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled & deveined (tails on or off)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade*)

• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)

• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice (plus wedges for serving)

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

🧑‍🍳 Instructions

1. Season shrimp

   • Pat shrimp dry and toss with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

2. Cook shrimp

   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

   • Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and slightly charred. Remove and set aside.

3. Make Cajun butter sauce

   • In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium.

   • Add butter and let it melt. Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Sauté until fragrant (30 seconds).

   • Add lemon juice and stir to combine.

4. Coat shrimp

   • Return shrimp to the skillet, tossing in the butter sauce until well coated.

5. Finish & serve

   • Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

🌟 Tips

• Serve over white rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or with warm crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

• Add a splash of white wine to the butter sauce for a deeper flavor.

• For creamy Cajun butter shrimp, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream before adding shrimp back.

⭐ Homemade Cajun Seasoning (quick mix):

• 2 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• ½ tsp cayenne (adjust for spice)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp salt