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You are here: Home / Method / One Pan Recipes / Easy Blackened Shrimp Recipe

Easy Blackened Shrimp Recipe

Published: March 26, 2020 | Updated: April 2, 2021 | By: Jordan

20.1K shares

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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.

Silver tongs holding a blackened shrimp

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!

ingredients to make blackened shrimp

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!

blackened shrimp in a cast iron pan

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!

Blackened shrimp on a blue plate

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.

blackened shrimp pinterest short pin

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.

blackened shrimp on avocado risotto

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
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!

Blackened shrimp on a fork

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.

Blackened Shrimp Taco Bowls on a table

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!

blackened shrimp pinterest long pin

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!

blackened shrimp with sweet potatoes and guacamole
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4.73 from 36 votes

Easy Blackened Shrimp Recipe

This recipe makes the most bold and flavorful cajun blackened shrimp in just 10 minutes. Make them ahead of time for salads, meal preps, or to serve over pasta.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Total Time10 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cajun
Keyword: Blackened shrimp, Cajun recipe, Easy shrimp recipe, Shrimp
Servings: 5
Calories: 140kcal
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Author: Jordan

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 228mg | Sodium: 706mg | Potassium: 72mg | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin C: 3.7mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 1.9mg
Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
Tried this recipe?I’d love to see your dish, mention @jzeats or tag #jzeats!
20.1K shares

Published: March 26, 2020 Filed Under: Main Dishes, Meal Prep That Doesn't Suck, One Pan Recipes, Seafood, Whole30 Tagged With: blackened shrimp, easy recipes, healthy, pescaterian, shrimp, Whole30

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth

    May 13, 2019 at 11:52 pm

    What a tasty addition to any meal or just on their own! Delish!

    Reply
  2. Natalie

    May 14, 2019 at 12:36 am

    YUM! These shrimps look so delicious! Such a great idea for dinner!

    Reply
  3. chezlerevefrancais

    May 14, 2019 at 3:39 am

    I could eat shrimp everyday so I’ll be making these! They look so delicious too.

    Reply
  4. MARISA

    May 15, 2019 at 11:14 pm

    These look incredibly flavorful! And I love how easy the recipe is.

    Reply
  5. Mikayla

    May 15, 2019 at 11:40 pm

    Shrimp is also a go to easy dinner in our house! This looks like a great way to favor them!

    Reply
  6. Natalie

    May 16, 2019 at 12:47 am

    Looks so delicious and perfect for a quick dinner. I love shrimps!

    Reply
  7. Tisha

    May 16, 2019 at 2:25 am

    This looks so great for a meal prepping!

    Reply
  8. Jessica

    March 19, 2020 at 9:43 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  9. Stephanie Tamburrino

    March 20, 2020 at 10:03 am

    5 stars
    Best shrimp recipe ever! So versatile and flavorful. Definitely becoming a weekly thing in the house! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Rissa Goldstein

    March 20, 2020 at 10:52 am

    Best shrimp recipe ever! Absolute genius

    Reply
  11. Hilary Stanmyer

    March 20, 2020 at 12:49 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe! I always use the same recipe every time I cook shrimp! This was a great switch up!

    Reply
  12. Jessie

    March 20, 2020 at 2:49 pm

    5 stars
    Yum!!!! This was so amazing and so good! Keeping this one handy for those busy summer nights to come! Thank you!

    Reply
  13. Jess Reedy

    March 20, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing Shrimp recipe!!

    Reply
  14. Barbara Gambert

    March 20, 2020 at 8:10 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! And so easy! Looks beautiful on top of the Harvest Salad or risotto! Something to make over and over!

    Reply
  15. Carrie Robinson

    March 23, 2020 at 10:46 am

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious and flavorful! 🙂 Definitely adding this to my weekly dinner rotation soon. 🙂

    Reply
  16. SHANIKA

    March 23, 2020 at 11:03 am

    5 stars
    This Blackened Shrimp recipe was amazing! I’m definitely making this again soon!

    Reply
  17. Annie @ Annie's Noms

    March 23, 2020 at 11:50 am

    5 stars
    This looks fabulous! I love how quick and easy shrimp are to make and they always taste amazing. They’re my husbands favourite too!

    Reply
  18. Jenn

    March 23, 2020 at 11:57 am

    5 stars
    These shrimp are unbelievably good! Easy, affordable, and full of flavor – that’s my kind of recipe!

    Reply
  19. Emily

    March 24, 2020 at 10:10 pm

    5 stars
    Made this tonight and it was so good and easy to make! Definitely going to make this again!

    Reply
  20. Anne

    April 25, 2020 at 7:02 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was DELICIOUS! Definitely adding it to our dinner rotation. The recipe was easy to follow and accurate. Thank you!!

    Reply
  21. Sandra

    November 2, 2020 at 7:02 pm

    5 stars
    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!!!!

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      November 2, 2020 at 11:01 pm

      Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed them.

      Reply
  22. Deb

    March 21, 2021 at 11:03 am

    5 stars
    This is THE BEST bLackened shrimp recipe that I have ever had!!!! Love It!!!!

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      March 22, 2021 at 4:35 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  23. Susan

    February 2, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    5 stars
    Super easy and flavorful. I served it Ober a southwest salad. Great weeknight meal.

    Reply
  24. Natalie

    March 24, 2022 at 12:35 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, these shrimps look amazing. I never tried blackened shrimps before. I’m saving this recipe on my list to try.

    Reply
  25. kushigalu

    March 24, 2022 at 12:51 pm

    My family loves shrimp. I will make this recipe soon.

    Reply
  26. Kris

    March 24, 2022 at 12:58 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for family and it was a real winner! Thank you for another great recipe!

    Reply
  27. Andrea

    March 24, 2022 at 1:24 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
  28. Tara

    March 24, 2022 at 1:42 pm

    5 stars
    These blackened shrimp are so full of those delicious Cajun spices. Will try on avocado toast next time.Very yummy!

    Reply
  29. Fnp

    May 5, 2022 at 9:51 am

    1 star
    Far too sweet!

    Reply
  30. Michelle Vanessa Kalapala

    July 9, 2022 at 8:21 pm

    can you use frozen shrimp?

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      July 11, 2022 at 1:53 pm

      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.

      Reply
  31. Becky

    August 27, 2022 at 1:22 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      September 13, 2022 at 9:13 am

      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.

      Reply
  32. Becky

    September 11, 2022 at 5:45 pm

    5 stars
    These are delicious. Made shrimp Alfredo. Would recommend pan frying them as opposed to oven. Much better taste!!!

    Reply
  33. Ryan Allen

    February 11, 2023 at 8:33 pm

    5 stars
    These blacked shrimp were the best I have ever had. They definitely will be going in the weekly dinner rotation.

    Reply
    • JZ Eats

      February 20, 2023 at 2:05 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply

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about meI’m that girl behind the camera and the creator of all the delicious recipes on this website. I’m a Baltimore food blogger who enjoys nothing more than food!
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