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Flavorful New Orleans BBQ Shrimp with Spicy Cajun Sauce

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A quick and easy New Orleans-inspired BBQ shrimp recipe featuring a buttery, garlicky, and spicy Cajun sauce that delivers bold flavors and tender shrimp perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined (wild-caught recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1½ pounds of large shrimp under cold water, then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to blend the spices evenly.
  3. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter. Warm until shimmering but not smoking, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Add the shrimp in a single layer to the skillet. Cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes until the undersides turn pink and start to crisp slightly. Flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque but still tender.
  5. Pour the prepared spicy Cajun butter sauce over the shrimp and toss gently to coat. Let the sauce bubble and thicken slightly for about 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce and the juice of 1 lemon. Toss to combine, then remove from heat.
  7. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the shrimp for garnish and serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen it. Avoid overcooking shrimp; cook until they curl into a ‘C’ shape and are opaque. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. For gluten-free, use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce or coconut aminos. Cook shrimp in batches if needed to avoid steaming.

Nutrition

Keywords: New Orleans BBQ shrimp, Cajun shrimp, spicy shrimp recipe, quick shrimp dinner, buttery shrimp, garlic shrimp, Cajun sauce, seafood recipe

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/flavorful-new-orleans-bbq-shrimp-recipe-with-spicy-cajun-sauce-guide/