I adore this recipe where succulent shrimp mingle with garlic, onion, and a zesty lemon kick in a rich blend of olive oil and butter. The Cajun seasoning adds my favorite hint of spice, turning it into one of my go-to shrimp dinners for two that embodies summer flavor in every bite.
I’ve always been a fan of bold flavors and quick recipes that bring something fresh to the table, and this Cajun Shrimp definitely fits the bill. I started with 1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined, then heated up 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a pan.
Adding 1 to 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, 4 minced garlic cloves, a diced small onion and a sliced red bell pepper, I knew I was on my way to something special. I squeezed in the juice from 1 lemon and added a splash of 1/4 cup dry white wine to deglaze the pan, letting all that flavor come together.
The sauce turns out just loaded with flavor and just enough of a kick. It works perfectly with pasta or rice so you can soak up every drop of that amazing sauce.
I promise you’ll find this a great shrimp recipe whether you’re cooking for two or just craving a simple dinner idea.
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because:
1. I love the bold flavor from the Cajun seasoning that gives the shrimp a cool kick.
2. I really enjoy how easy it is to whip up even on busy nights.
3. The sauce is amazing and perfect for soaking up with pasta or rice.
4. Shrimp is one of my favorite proteins, and this recipe makes it taste even better!
This Cajun Shrimp is like the perfect summer meal. It’s super easy to make and the sauce is loaded with flavor, with just the right Cajun kick to keep things interesting. I usually serve it with some pasta or rice so that i can soak up every last bit of that delicious sauce. The mix of garlic, lemon, and white wine in there really brings out the best in the shrimp. Overall, it’s one of my go-to recipes when i want something tasty, quick, and a little bit spicy.
Ingredients
- Shrimp are lean protein powerhouses that add umami flavor and firm texture to this dish.
- Olive oil offers heart friendly monounsaturated fats and a mild fruity taste.
- Butter provides richness and creamy flavor but contains saturated fats so use sparingly.
- Cajun seasoning brings a spicy kick and bold flavor with abundant zesty aromas.
- Lemon juice adds tangy sour notes plus extra vitamin C to brighten up flavors.
- White wine deglazes the pan, lifting caramelized bits and adding subtle acidity.
- Garlic infuses the dish with aromatic zest and is great for boosting immunity.
- Red bell pepper adds crunch, sweetness and vibrant color along with vital vitamins.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (use more if you like a stronger kick)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup dry white wine for deglazing (if you want a bit more sauce)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
How to Make this
1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper then set them aside.
3. Add the diced onion and sliced red bell pepper to the skillet and saute until they begin to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an extra minute until you can smell its aroma.
5. Put the seasoned shrimp into the pan and cook them for about 2 minutes on each side, until they turn pink. Then remove the shrimp from the pan.
6. Pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping off any browned bits stuck to the bottom.
7. Squeeze in the juice from one lemon and let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so it thickens a bit.
8. Return the shrimp to the pan and toss them in the sauce to coat evenly.
9. Taste the sauce and add more salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if needed.
10. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish then serve it hot with your choice of pasta or rice so you can soak up every drop of that yummy sauce.
Equipment Needed
1. A large skillet for heating oil, butter and cooking the shrimp
2. Measuring spoons to measure olive oil, butter, and Cajun seasoning
3. A chef’s knife to dice the onion, slice the red bell pepper, and mince the garlic
4. A cutting board for prepping the onions, peppers, and garlic
5. A spatula or tongs for stirring and flipping the shrimp in the pan
6. A small bowl to mix the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper
7. A citrus juicer (or just a hand squeeze) to get the juice from the lemon
FAQ
Cajun Shrimp Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, try mixin equal parts paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and a pinch of cayenne – it’s a neat DIY blend.
- Butter can be swapped with margarine or even coconut oil if you’re lookin for somethin a bit different.
- Instead of white wine to deglaze, you can use chicken broth or even a diluted apple cider vinegar for that tangy kick.
- Lemon juice can be replaced with lime juice if you’re after a similar fresh citrus flavor, though beware it adds a slightly different twist.
Pro Tips
1. Make sure your pan is super hot when you add the oil and butter so you can get those tasty crispy bits at the bottom while cooking your veggies.
2. Dont pack too many shrimp into the pan at once so they cook evenly and dont end up steaming instead of getting a nice sear.
3. While deglazing, use a wooden spatula to scrape up all the browned bits since they pack a lot of flavor but watch out cause sometimes the wine can bubble up fast.
4. Let the sauce simmer a bit after adding the lemon juice so it gets a little thicker and really coats the shrimp nice and well.
Cajun Shrimp Recipe
My favorite Cajun Shrimp Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. A large skillet for heating oil, butter and cooking the shrimp
2. Measuring spoons to measure olive oil, butter, and Cajun seasoning
3. A chef’s knife to dice the onion, slice the red bell pepper, and mince the garlic
4. A cutting board for prepping the onions, peppers, and garlic
5. A spatula or tongs for stirring and flipping the shrimp in the pan
6. A small bowl to mix the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper
7. A citrus juicer (or just a hand squeeze) to get the juice from the lemon
Ingredients:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 to 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (use more if you like a stronger kick)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup dry white wine for deglazing (if you want a bit more sauce)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper then set them aside.
3. Add the diced onion and sliced red bell pepper to the skillet and saute until they begin to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an extra minute until you can smell its aroma.
5. Put the seasoned shrimp into the pan and cook them for about 2 minutes on each side, until they turn pink. Then remove the shrimp from the pan.
6. Pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping off any browned bits stuck to the bottom.
7. Squeeze in the juice from one lemon and let the sauce simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so it thickens a bit.
8. Return the shrimp to the pan and toss them in the sauce to coat evenly.
9. Taste the sauce and add more salt, pepper, or Cajun seasoning if needed.
10. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the dish then serve it hot with your choice of pasta or rice so you can soak up every drop of that yummy sauce.
