Cajun Grilled Shrimp

When your taste buds are in the mood for some spice, this Cajun grilled shrimp recipe is just what you need. You can have this flavor-packed seafood dish prepped and grilled in less than 30 minutes. The secret is a kicked-up marinade that gives the shrimp just the right amount of bright, bold, spicy Cajun flavors. This easy, crowd-pleasing shrimp recipe is perfect to serve at a casual cookout or as a quick weeknight meal.

Cajun Grilled Shrimp Ingredients

• Cajun marinade: Before grilling, the shrimp sits in a spicy marinade made from chopped green onions, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and a blend of seasonings that includes paprika, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. You can also use your favorite store-bought Cajun seasoning blend or make Cajun seasoning from scratch.
• Shrimp: This recipe calls for uncooked, peeled and deveined shrimp. Medium shrimp (sold in bags marked as 31-40 per pound) are great for grilling. We recommend using frozen shrimp; thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or in a bowl of cold water before grilling them. This grilled Cajun shrimp also uses tail-on shrimp, which should be easy enough to find deveined. Leaving the tails on is mainly for aesthetics; it’s perfectly fine to use shrimp with the tails removed if you prefer.
• Lemons: Grill fresh lemon wedges with the shrimp, then squeeze the juice over the cooked shrimp to add a bright citrus flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Make the marinade

In a large shallow dish, stir together the chopped green onions, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.

Step 2: Marinate the shrimp

Add the shrimp to the marinade and turn to coat them. Cover the dish and refrigerate the shrimp for 15 minutes. Drain the shrimp and discard the marinade.

Step 3: Grill the shrimp

Thread the shrimp and lemon wedges onto 12 metal or soaked wooden skewers. Grill the shrimp, covered, over medium heat until they turn pink, turning once, six to eight minutes total. Serve them over rice with the grilled lemon wedges.

Editor’s Tip: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them to prevent them from charring on the grill.

JONATHAN MELENDEZ FOR TASTE OF HOME

Cajun Grilled Shrimp Variations

• Add veggies: For added flavor, add slices of quartered red onion, bell peppers or chunks of zucchini to the shrimp skewers before grilling.
• Broil the shrimp: If you don’t have a grill, or it’s not quite the right weather for grilling, you can easily cook these shrimp skewers in your oven. To do so, broil the skewers four inches from the heat, flipping once.
• Add dried herbs: Round out the Cajun seasoning with dried herbs like oregano, thyme or parsley.

How to Store Cajun Grilled Shrimp

Store leftover Cajun grilled shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to four days, but the shrimp’s texture might change slightly the longer they sit.

How do you reheat Cajun grilled shrimp?

For the best texture and even heating, you should reheat the Cajun grilled shrimp in the oven or on the stovetop. To reheat them in the oven, preheat it to 300°. Place the shrimp in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake them for four to six minutes or until they’re heated through. To reheat them on the stovetop, add a tablespoon of butter to a large pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the shrimp and cook until they’re heated through, two to three minutes per side.

Cajun Grilled Shrimp Tips

JONATHAN MELENDEZ FOR TASTE OF HOME

What’s the best way to clean and devein shrimp?

Cleaning shrimp can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to. To peel the shrimp, start at the head end and peel the shell back along the shrimp’s sides. When you can grasp the shrimp flesh in one hand, pull the back ridge of the shell with your other hand, and pop the shrimp out of its shell. To devein the shrimp, use a paring knife to cut a slit along its back, just deep enough to show the vein. Use the tip of the knife to tease out the vein and use your fingers to gently pull it back toward the tail of the shrimp until it comes free.

What should you serve with Cajun grilled shrimp?

Serve Cajun grilled shrimp over cheesy grits or Creole rice. Side dishes like grilled vegetables or a fresh and flavorful side salad also pair well with grilled shrimp. Make a batch of jalapeno cornbread or cheesy biscuits to round out the meal.

How else can you use Cajun grilled shrimp?

These flavor-packed Cajun grilled shrimp can be used as a topper for an entree-style salad, a filling for spicy tacos or tostadas, or a central component in a Louisiana-style shrimp po’boy sandwich.