Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe)
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Juicy Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe) cooked in garlic butter with bold Cajun spices. A quick 10-minute shrimp recipe with the perfect smoky crust every time.
You’ll also love my Pan Seared Shrimp, Baked Blackened Cod, and Blackened Chicken.
Quick Look: Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, low carb, high protein
- Method: Skillet
- Technique: High-heat blackening
- Flavor/Texture: Smoky, buttery, juicy shrimp with bold Cajun spices
Why You’ll Love This Easy Shrimp Recipe!
This blackened shrimp is one of those recipes I dream about. The shrimp cook in a hot skillet until perfectly charred, then get tossed in garlic butter and bold spices that create the most irresistible flavor.
It’s quick, smoky, a little spicy, and absolutely packed with flavor, the kind of recipe you make once and crave forever. Simple ingredients. Bold flavor. Dinner in minutes and perfect for a busy weeknights.
Try my Shrimp Tacos With Creamy Slaw (Cilantro Lime) next time.
Made With Amore,
Table of Contents
- Quick Look: Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe)
- Why You’ll Love This Easy Shrimp Recipe!
- Simple Ingredients
- Variations & Substitutions
- How To Make Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe)
- Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe) FAQ’s
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Tips
- More Shrimp Recipes
- Blackened Shrimp Recipe
Simple Ingredients
These key ingredients come together to create bold, smoky, and perfectly seasoned blackened shrimp with a flavorful, slightly spicy crust.
- Large Shrimp: the star of the dish. Large shrimp stay juicy and develop a better crust when seared.
- Olive Oil: I use olive oil, but avocado oil also works to help the seasoning stick and prevent sticking.
- Butter: adds richness and balances the spices.
- Garlic: gives the shrimp an irresistible savory aroma.
- Homemade Blackened Seasoning Spice Mix: I make this in bulk and keep in my spice cabinet.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Extra Smokey: Use smoked paprika.
- Lemon Instead of Lime: Gives the dish a Mediterranean flavor. Try my Baked Mediterranean Cod.
- Make it Creamy: Add a splash of cream to the garlic butter sauce.
- Air Fryer Option: Cook at 400°F for 6–7 minutes.
How To Make Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe)
These blackened shrimp are perfectly seasoned, smoky, and spicy, delivering a bold, restaurant-quality flavor in just minutes. Follow the step-by step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- In a bowl, whisk together the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme until well combined. Set aside. Use 2 tablespoons for this recipe and save the rest in an airtight container to try my blackened chicken and blackened cod recipes.
- Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a bowl. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons, or to taste, of the blackening seasoning over the shrimp and toss until they are evenly coated on all sides.
- In a large cast iron skillet (or heavy-bottomed pan), heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Allow the pan to get hot, but not smoking. This high heat helps create that signature blackened crust. Add the shrimp in a single layer in the hot skillet. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side until they turn pink and develop a dark, flavorful crust.
- Reduce the heat slightly. Add the butter and minced garlic to the pan.
Pro Tip: The biggest mistake people make with shrimp is overcooking. As soon as they turn pink and slightly firm, remove them from the heat. Perfect shrimp should be juicy, tender, and never rubbery.
- Toss the shrimp in the melted butter for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro and fresh lime wedges. Serve immediately.
Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe) FAQ’s
Blackening is a cooking method where shrimp are coated in bold spices and cooked in a very hot pan until the seasoning forms a smoky crust.
A cast iron skillet works best because it holds high heat and creates the signature crust.
Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. How to reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a little butter over low heat for 1–2 minutes. Avoid microwaving for too long, or the shrimp may become rubbery.
Serving Suggestions
Serve it over Lemon Butter Pasta (Pasta al Limone), Creamy Parmesan Rice, in tacos, or with crusty Italian bread to soak up the buttery sauce.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Dry shrimp well – moisture prevents the crust from forming.
- Use a hot pan – blackening happens when spices toast quickly.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if needed.
- Cook quickly – shrimp only need about 2 minutes per side.
- Add garlic at the end – prevents burning.
More Shrimp Recipes
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Blackened Shrimp Recipe
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Blackening Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon paprika, smoked or sweet
- ½ tablespoon onion powder
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
Optional Garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Make the Blackening Seasoning: If you haven’t already made the seasoning in bulk, prepare it now. In a small bowl, whisk together the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, and thyme until well combined. Set aside. Use 2 tablespoons for this recipe and save the rest in an airtight container to try my blackened chicken and blackened cod recipes.
- Season the Shrimp: Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in a bowl. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons, or to taste, of the blackening seasoning over the shrimp and toss until they are evenly coated on all sides.
- Heat the Skillet: In a large cast iron skillet (or heavy-bottomed pan), heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Allow the pan to get hot, but not smoking. This high heat helps create that signature blackened crust.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp in a single layer in the hot skillet. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side until they turn pink and develop a dark, flavorful crust.
- Add Garlic Butter: Reduce the heat slightly. Add the butter and minced garlic to the pan and toss the shrimp in the melted butter for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro and fresh lime wedges. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Dry shrimp well – moisture prevents the crust from forming.
- Use a hot pan – blackening happens when spices toast quickly.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if needed.
- Cook quickly – shrimp only need about 2 minutes per side.
- Add garlic at the end – prevents burning.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
