Easy Blackened Shrimp Recipe

Name: Easy Blackened Shrimp Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 pound jumbo shrimp (peeled and deveined); 1 tablespoon olive oil, (more for cooking); 1 lime, (juice); 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, (for garnish); 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

Published: March 26, 2020 | By: Jordan

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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.

blackened shrimp with sweet potatoes and guacamole

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.

raw shrimp coated with blackened seasoning in a mixing bowl

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!

blackening seasoning in a small white bowl

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:

blackened shrimp on a fall harvest salad

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:

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