Easy Cajun Shrimp Recipe is an easy weeknight meal that you can get on the table in under 15 minutes! This dish uses your favorite cajun flavors, spice and some sweetness from the honey.
I am back with another cajun recipe because I just love the flavor it brings to dishes so much.
You might remember around Mardi Gras I shared this Shrimp Creole Recipe.
I love the spice that is in cajun food and it pairs so nicely with shrimp. Today’s Easy Cajun Shrimp Recipe is one that we make a lot in my house. It has that kick you love but also a touch of sweetness with the honey.
I think out of all of those recipes my favorite is today’s Easy Cajun Shrimp Recipe.
You can have this on the table in under 15 minutes. Sometimes I will serve this alongside rice, pair it with pasta or just serve it with a simple vegetable side dish like these Creole Green Beans.
My kids really like shrimp and we rotate between Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta, Cajun Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Shrimp, this Honey Garlic Sriracha Shrimp and this Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp.
Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need
- Shrimp: For this recipe I used 1 pound uncooked shrimp peeled and deveined. You can use any size you want but I like to try and find medium or large shrimp. I leave the tails on the shrimp but you can remove them before cooking if you like.
- Cajun Seasoning: I love cajun seasoning and the rich, warm flavors it brings to dishes. You can buy your favorite at the store or make your own using this recipe. If you make your own the nice thing is you can control what goes in and how much spice you like.
- Butter: The butter adds a rich flavor to the shrimp but you can skip the butter and just use olive oil if you want.
- Honey: Honey adds a nice sweetness to the dish and compliments the spiciness of the cajun seasoning.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice finishes off the fish with some acid and brings a brightness to the shrimp. This is an optional ingredients. For extra lemon flavor add a touch of lemon zest.
For exact ingredient amounts and instructions, see the full recipe card below.
How do you Make Cajun Shrimp
Step 1: Season Shrimp: In a bowl toss the shrimp with cajun seasoning and the salt.
Step 2: Sear the Shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sear, until it becomes slightly pink, around 2 minute per side.
Step 3: Add Butter & Honey: Add the butter and honey and continue cooking for four more minutes or until the shrimp are cooked and the sauce is shiny and slightly caramelized. Add the lemon juice and stir.
Recipe FAQ
There are two ways to thaw shrimp safely. The first is slowly in the fridge for about 24 hours per pound. The second way is to use a colander in the sink under cold running water. This is the quickest way to defrost shrimp. Do not use warm water – it must be cold.
When it comes to marinating shrimp you usually want to do about 30 minutes or less in the fridge which infuses enough flavor into them. If you are using acid {lemon or lime juice} and do more than 30 minutes it will start to break down the shrimp meat and you don’t want to do that. it starts to create a mushy shrimp.
More Shrimp Recipes to Try
Easy Cajun Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cajun seasoning or make your own blend
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Juice from 1 lemon
Instructions
- In a bowl toss the shrimp with the cajun seasoning and the salt.
- Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sear, until it becomes slightly pink, around 2 minutes per side.
- Add the butter and honey and continue cooking for 4 more minutes or until the shrimp is cooked and the sauce is shiny and slightly caramelized.
- Add the lemon juice and stir to combine. Remove from heat.
Notes
- This shrimp is delicious and goes great with almost any side you like.
You can sprinkle it with freshly cracked pepper or with chopped chives.
