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Learn how to make the best blackened shrimp in your kitchen! This recipe makes the most bold and flavorful cajun blackened shrimp in only 10 minutes.
I love shrimp and make them at least once a week because they are easy to make and cook super quick. There is always a bag of frozen shrimp in my freezer in case I need to whip up a quick healthy dinner.
The bold flavor of blackened shrimp have been a favorite of mine for years, it’s one of my favorite shrimp recipes.
What are blackened shrimp?
The concept of blackening or blackened food is a Southern cooking technique used to add bold flavors to fish, shrimp, chicken and other food. The mixture of spices create this bold flavor, and this technique is often used in Cajun cuisine.
Blackened shrimp ingredients
You can make these delicious shrimp with just a few ingredients, and I bet you already have most of them in your pantry!
All you need for this recipe is one pound of jumbo shrimp, fresh limes, and a variety of spices from your spice cabinet. Alternatively, you can purchase blacken seasoning, this one is great!
How to make blackened shrimp
This recipe makes the most delicious blackened shrimp! They cook quickly, so they’re an awesome protein to make on a weeknight when you get home late from work or any time you’re in a hurry. These shrimp will cook in about 5 minutes.
First, you will need to clean your shrimp by peeling and deveining them. If you aren’t sure how to do this, watch this video. Then, add the shrimp to a medium bowl like this one.
Combine the spices for the blacken seasoning, then add it to the shrimp and toss until they are fully coated. You can use as much or as little seasoning as you like. If you have leftover blacken seasoning, you can store it in a jar like this one. I always like to keep some on hand because I use it so much!
Next, lay the shrimp in a cast iron skillet or non stick pan, being careful not to overlap or overcrowd the pan. If the pan is overcrowded, the shrimp won’t cook evenly or get a nice crisp.
Cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side and use a good pair of tongs when flipping. Then transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and serve!
How to make blackened seasoning
Blackened seasoning is so easy to make and most people have all the ingredients in their spice cabinet. The best part about making it at home is that you can adjust the ingredients to get the seasoning perfect for your palate. If you like it hotter, add some extra heat, if you like it sweeter, add some extra sugar make it your own!
This recipe makes a larger batch so you can store it and have it on hand next time you are ready to blacken shrimp, fish, or chicken.
To make this seasoning, combine:
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt (you can sub this for garlic powder, just make sure you add salt too)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- a pinch of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- a pinch of onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
I like to store my custom seasoning blends in jars like these. They’re great for sauces and dressings too!
Can I grill these shrimp?
You can grill or bake these blackened shrimp. If you’re grilling them, you might want to use grill-safe skewers that make flipping the shrimp easy so you don’t lose any between the grates.
If you’re baking them, pre-heat the oven to 400 F, spread the shrimp out on a foiled baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until shrimp are opaque. Make sure you adjust the time based on the size of your shrimp.
What to serve with blackened shrimp
The possibilities are endless! I added them to this creamy Avocado Risotto and it was delicious! The creaminess of the avocado pairs perfectly with the bold flavor of the shrimp. You can even add them to salads like this Toasted Farro Salad or this Easy Green Salad. The vinaigrette in that green salad recipe is TO DIE FOR.
Here are a few other recipes I love to pair them with:
- Spinach And Ricotta Stuffed Peppers
- Blackened Shrimp Taco Bowls
- Crispy Air Fryer French Fries
- Harvest Salad With Champagne Apple Cider Vinaigrette (pictured below)
- Farmers’ Market Salad With Couscous
- Broccolini With Marcona Almonds
- Baby Bok Choy
Is blackened seasoning Whole30 compliant?
If you are using this recipe, just omit the sugar, and it will be compliant to the Whole30 diet. If you are using a store bought seasoning, be sure to check the label or use this Whole30 compliant blackened seasoning.
Add these shrimp to lettuce wraps, top them with pineapple and cilantro, and boom you’ve got yourself some delicious Whole30 approved blackened shrimp tacos!
The trick to making them perfectly is to get the pan nice and hot before adding the shrimp. Don’t overcrowd the pan, because the heat won’t transfer properly throughout the pan.
Can I meal prep blackened shrimp?
Blackened shrimp are a great protein to meal prep with. They don’t give off a fishy smell when you heat them in the microwave and they taste great several days after making them.
If you’re meal prepping with them, check out these BPA free glass meal prep containers.
Looking for more shrimp recipes? Try these:
- Lemon Orzo Salad With Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Blackened Shrimp Taco Bowls
- Creamy Basil Pesto Shrimp Pasta
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- One Pan Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Spaghetti
Want to try these Blackened Shrimp?
PIN IT to your shrimp, seafood, or dinner recipes board to save it for later!
Find me on Pinterest for more great recipes. I’m always pinning!
Did you make this recipe? Post a photo on Instagram and tag me @JZEATS or #JZEATS so I can see what you’ve made! Leave a comment or recipe rating below and let me know what you think, too!
Easy Blackened Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 pound jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, more for cooking
- 1 lime, juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, for garnish
Blackened Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar, omit for Whole30
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic salt, if you sub this for garlic powder, just be sure to add salt to the mixture
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Instructions
- Combine all blackened seasoning ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
- Toss shrimp and olive oil together in a large mixing bowl. Then add the blackened seasoning and mix until shrimp are fully coated.
- Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to a cast iron skillet or non-stick pan and heat on medium-high until the pan is hot.
- Lay shrimp flat on pan without overlapping them and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until opaque. When finished, transfer the shrimp to a plate and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime juice.
Video
Notes
- This is the enameled cast iron skillet I use and love!
- This cast iron skillet is a really good affordable option.
What a tasty addition to any meal or just on their own! Delish!
YUM! These shrimps look so delicious! Such a great idea for dinner!
I could eat shrimp everyday so I’ll be making these! They look so delicious too.
These look incredibly flavorful! And I love how easy the recipe is.
Shrimp is also a go to easy dinner in our house! This looks like a great way to favor them!
Looks so delicious and perfect for a quick dinner. I love shrimps!
This looks so great for a meal prepping!
This was the BEST easy shrimp recipe ever and tasted delicious. I used it for tacos with a spritz of lime juice. Will totally make it again.
Best shrimp recipe ever! So versatile and flavorful. Definitely becoming a weekly thing in the house! 🙂
Best shrimp recipe ever! Absolute genius
Great recipe! I always use the same recipe every time I cook shrimp! This was a great switch up!
Yum!!!! This was so amazing and so good! Keeping this one handy for those busy summer nights to come! Thank you!
Amazing Shrimp recipe!!
Delicious! And so easy! Looks beautiful on top of the Harvest Salad or risotto! Something to make over and over!
This looks so delicious and flavorful! 🙂 Definitely adding this to my weekly dinner rotation soon. 🙂
This Blackened Shrimp recipe was amazing! I’m definitely making this again soon!
This looks fabulous! I love how quick and easy shrimp are to make and they always taste amazing. They’re my husbands favourite too!
These shrimp are unbelievably good! Easy, affordable, and full of flavor – that’s my kind of recipe!
Made this tonight and it was so good and easy to make! Definitely going to make this again!
This recipe was DELICIOUS! Definitely adding it to our dinner rotation. The recipe was easy to follow and accurate. Thank you!!
5 stars for sure!! This was super easy to make for dinner tonight and it got rave reviews – and a request to make again soon! Thank you!!!!
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed them.
This is THE BEST bLackened shrimp recipe that I have ever had!!!! Love It!!!!
Thank you!
Super easy and flavorful. I served it Ober a southwest salad. Great weeknight meal.
Wow, these shrimps look amazing. I never tried blackened shrimps before. I’m saving this recipe on my list to try.
My family loves shrimp. I will make this recipe soon.
I made this for family and it was a real winner! Thank you for another great recipe!
We have shrimp a few times a week too. Will definitely be adding this blackened shrimp recipe to the mix. The shrimp really do look terrific!
These blackened shrimp are so full of those delicious Cajun spices. Will try on avocado toast next time.Very yummy!
Far too sweet!
can you use frozen shrimp?
I have not cooked my shrimp from frozen in the air fryer, but I hear that you can. It would be difficult to season frozen shrimp, however, because the seasonings won’t stick to them as well.
Have made these a few times. They are absolutely delicious!! One question- if cooked in oven will that change the taste or texture? I put them on pasta Alfredo or creamy grits.
They should do fine in the oven! They may not get as crisp as in the pan, but if you have an air fryer they cook really well in there.
These are delicious. Made shrimp Alfredo. Would recommend pan frying them as opposed to oven. Much better taste!!!
These blacked shrimp were the best I have ever had. They definitely will be going in the weekly dinner rotation.
Thank you!
Made these for a group of 13 . I thought they were horrible.
Hope the rest of the group enjoyed 🙂
This recipe was SO GOOD! My husband and I really enjoyed the dish. I’ve made it a couple of times now and it will be in rotation!
Thank you!!!