Garlic Butter Cajun Shrimp 🧄🧈🔥🍤 Bold, Spicy, and Drenched in Sizzling Garlic Butter With Just Enough Heat and Herb

This dish is fast, fiery, and flavor-loaded — shrimp seared until just crisp, then tossed in a smoky Cajun garlic butter sauce that coats every bite. Serve it over rice, grits, pasta, or greens. Or pile it into tacos, bowls, or lettuce wraps.

It’s a weeknight workhorse that eats like a celebration.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the shrimp

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil
• Salt to taste (if Cajun blend isn’t salty)

For the garlic butter

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of ½ lemon (optional)
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley or green onion
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for extra heat

Instructions

Step 1: Season the shrimp
Pat shrimp dry. Toss with Cajun seasoning, a drizzle of oil, and a light sprinkle of salt if needed.

Step 2: Sear the shrimp
Heat a skillet over medium-high. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side until opaque and lightly seared. Remove from pan and set aside.

Step 3: Build the garlic butter
In the same pan, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic. Sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant and foamy. Add lemon juice and any optional spice.

Step 4: Finish and toss
Return shrimp to the skillet and toss in the garlic butter for 30–60 seconds until glossy and well coated. Sprinkle with chopped herbs.

Step 5: Serve hot
Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, grits, or crusty bread. Spoon extra sauce on top.

Flavor Variations

• Add a splash of white wine or broth to deglaze the pan
• Use brown butter for nutty depth
• Add sliced andouille sausage for a Cajun surf & turf
• Finish with a swirl of cream or coconut milk for richness
• Serve over cheesy grits with hot sauce for brunch

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcook the shrimp — pull them once they curl and turn opaque
• Use fresh garlic, not powder — it’s the backbone of the sauce
• Toast your Cajun spice blend in the oil for 30 seconds before adding shrimp for extra depth
• A cast-iron or stainless pan helps get that crisp sear
• Deglaze the pan if bits start to stick — they’re pure flavor

Final Thoughts

Garlic Butter Cajun Shrimp is spicy, saucy, and deeply satisfying — the kind of skillet dinner that punches far above its prep time. It’s heat, fat, acid, and flavor all in one fast, fiery dish.

Sear it. Sauce it. Serve it sizzling. 🧄🧈🔥🍤

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

• 🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
• 🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
• 🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
• 🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
• 🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
• 🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
• 🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
• 🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
• 🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
• 🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
• 🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
• 🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.

🧄 Garlic Butter Recipes Collection

Explore them all → Rich, golden, and versatile — garlic butter is the flavor bomb your weeknight meals (and fancy dinners) need.

🔥 Garlic Butter Proteins (Main Dishes)

• Garlic Butter Shrimp – Fast, juicy shrimp with bold garlic butter flavor.
• Garlic Butter Chicken – Crispy thighs smothered in a buttery garlic glaze.
• Garlic Butter Chicken Bites – Bite-sized skillet gold.
• Garlic Butter Steak Bites – Quick-seared steak cubes in sizzling garlic butter.
• Garlic Butter Tilapia – Mild fish with a rich, buttery finish.
• Garlic Butter Salmon – Buttery, flaky salmon perfect for weeknight dinner.

🍝 Garlic Butter Pastas & Noodles

• Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta – Seafood and carbs in harmony.
• Garlic Butter Pasta – Minimalist magic with max flavor.
• Garlic Butter Noodles – A simple classic that pairs with anything.
• Garlic Butter Lobster Mac & Cheese – Rich, decadent, and over-the-top good.
• Garlic Butter Parmesan Fettuccine – Creamy, cheesy, and craveable.
• Garlic Seafood Pasta Bake – Bubbly and golden with garlic and seafood.
• Garlic Butter Seafood Lasagna Rolls – Creamy, rolled seafood pasta baked in butter sauce.

🍚 Garlic Butter Sides, Bases & Sauces

• Garlic Butter Rice – Buttery rice with bold flavor and fluff.
• Garlic Butter Sauce – Base for seafood, pasta, and more.
• Garlic Butter Seafood Boil Sauce – Bold, spicy, and ready for dunking.
• Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes – Creamy with a garlicky punch.
• Garlic Butter Green Beans / Asparagus – Your favorite veg made crave-worthy.
• Garlic Bread with Homemade Garlic Butter Spread – Essential upgrade for any carb lover.

🌶️ Garlic Butter Fusion Recipes (Flavor Bombs)

• Garlic Butter Cajun Shrimp – Spicy, buttery, and bold.
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Tacos – Crispy shells, buttery shrimp.
• Garlic Butter Chicken Alfredo – Creamy fusion of two comfort classics.
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi – Bright lemon and rich butter make magic.
• Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles – Lazy, comforting, deeply satisfying.