Cajun Spiced Grilled Shrimp (Printable View)
Juicy shrimp marinated with Cajun spices and grilled for a smoky, flavorful seafood dish perfect anytime.
# What You Need:
→ Shrimp
01 - 1½ lbs large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Marinade
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
04 - 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp onion powder
08 - ½ tsp dried thyme
09 - ½ tsp dried oregano
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
14 - Lemon wedges
# How-To Steps:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl until well combined.
02 - Add shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes to absorb flavors.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning.
04 - Thread marinated shrimp onto skewers if desired for easier handling and turning on the grill.
05 - Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred, being careful not to overcook.
06 - Transfer grilled shrimp to serving platter, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and accompany with lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Twenty minutes of marinade time transforms ordinary shrimp into something extraordinary
- The spice blend hits you with that perfect Cajun heat without overwhelming the sweet shrimp flavor
02 -
- Do not marinate longer than 20 minutes or the lemon will start breaking down the shrimp texture
- Medium high heat is your friend, too low and they will steam, too high and the spices will burn before the shrimp cook through
03 -
- Pat your shrimp really dry before adding them to the marinade, excess water makes the spices slide right off
- Let the grilled shrimp rest for just 2 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute