Cajun Spiced Grilled Shrimp (Printable)
Juicy shrimp with zesty Cajun spices, grilled to perfection for smoky, bold taste.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Shrimp
01 - 1½ lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Marinade
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1½ tbsp Cajun seasoning
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - ½ tsp garlic powder
06 - ½ tsp onion powder
07 - ½ tsp dried thyme
08 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
09 - ½ tsp kosher salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper
11 - Juice of ½ lemon
→ To Serve
12 - Lemon wedges
13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# Steps:
01 - Combine olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Mix until well blended.
02 - Add shrimp to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes to absorb flavors.
03 - If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 20–30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
04 - Thread marinated shrimp onto skewers, leaving small gaps between each piece for even heat circulation.
05 - Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature.
06 - Grill skewers for 2–3 minutes per side until shrimp turn opaque and develop light charring.
07 - Transfer to serving platter, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The marinade comes together in under five minutes but tastes like you spent forever planning it
- These shrimp cook so fast they become your emergency dinner secret weapon
- The spice blend hits that perfect spot where everyone wants seconds but no one is crying
02 -
- Over-marinating shrimp in citrus makes them tough and mealy, so stick to the recommended time window
- Crowding the skewers means steaming instead of grilling, which defeats the entire point
- Shrimp go from perfect to rubbery in seconds, so have your platter ready before they hit the heat
03 -
- Pat the shrimp dry before adding them to the marinade so the spices actually cling instead of sliding off
- Double the spice blend and save half in a jar for your next batch, which will likely be sooner than you think