Juicy Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe) seared in garlic butter with bold Cajun spices. This quick, 10-minute shrimp dish yields a perfect smoky crust and tender, flavorful shrimp every time.
You might also enjoy my Pan Seared Shrimp, Baked Blackened Cod, and Blackened Chicken recipes.
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 a simple weeknight favorite. Shrimp are cooked in a very hot skillet to develop a dark, smoky crust, then finished in garlic butter for a rich, savory finish. The combination of toasted spices, butter, and garlic creates an irresistible aroma and bold flavor.
Quick to make, slightly spicy, and full of texture, this recipe uses basic ingredients but delivers restaurant-quality results. It’s perfect for busy evenings when you want big flavor without fuss.
Try shrimp tacos with creamy cilantro-lime slaw next time for a delicious variation.
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) FAQs
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Tips
- More Shrimp Recipes
- Blackened Shrimp Recipe
Simple Ingredients
These basic pantry items combine to give the shrimp a bold, smoky crust and rich, buttery finish.
- Large Shrimp: Large shrimp stay juicy and develop a better crust when seared.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasoning adhere and prevents sticking; avocado oil works too.
- Butter: Adds richness and mellows the heat.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives an irresistible savory note.
- Blackening Seasoning: A blend of paprika, onion and garlic powders, salt, pepper, cayenne, oregano, and thyme; use 2 tablespoons for this recipe.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full details.
Variations & Substitutions
- Extra Smoky: Use smoked paprika for deeper smokiness.
- Lemon Instead of Lime: Swap lime for lemon for a Mediterranean twist.
- Make it Creamy: Stir in a splash of cream to the garlic butter for a richer sauce.
- Air Fryer Option: Cook at 400°F for 6–7 minutes for a hands-off method.
How To Make Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe)
These steps will give you well-seasoned, smoky shrimp with a tender interior and crispy, blackened exterior. See the recipe card below for a printable version.
- Make the seasoning: Whisk paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne, oregano, and thyme. Set aside. Use about 2 tablespoons for this recipe.
- Season the shrimp: Toss peeled, deveined shrimp with about 2 tablespoons of the blackening seasoning until evenly coated.
- Heat the skillet: Warm olive oil in a large cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. High heat is essential for a good blackened crust.
- Sear the shrimp: Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink with a dark crust. Reduce heat, add butter and minced garlic, and toss briefly.
Pro Tip: The most common mistake is overcooking. Remove shrimp as soon as they turn pink and firm; they should be juicy, not rubbery.
- Toss the shrimp in the melted butter for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges, and serve immediately.
Blackened Shrimp (Easy 10 Minute Recipe) FAQs
Blackening means coating the shrimp in a bold spice mix and cooking them in a very hot pan until the spices toast and form a flavorful, slightly charred crust.
A cast iron skillet is ideal because it holds and distributes high heat evenly, producing the signature crust.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a little butter over low heat for 1–2 minutes to avoid drying them out. Avoid long microwaving, which can make shrimp rubbery.
Serving Suggestions
Serve over lemon butter pasta, creamy Parmesan rice, in tacos, or with crusty bread to soak up the buttery sauce.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Dry shrimp well – moisture stops the crust from forming.
- Use a hot pan – spices toast quickly and build flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook quickly – shrimp need about 2 minutes per side.
- Add garlic at the end – this prevents it from burning and becoming bitter.
More Shrimp Recipes
Shrimp Scampi Pasta Recipe (20 Minute Meal)
Fried Butterfly Shrimp Recipe (Easy and Crunchy)
Squid Ink Pasta Recipe with Shrimp and Cherry Tomato Sauce
Shrimp Salad Recipe
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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 seasoning: Whisk together paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne, oregano, and thyme. Set aside. Use 2 tablespoons for this recipe.
- Season the shrimp: Toss peeled and deveined shrimp with about 2 tablespoons of the blackening seasoning until evenly coated.
- Heat the skillet: Warm olive oil in a large cast iron or heavy pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Cook the shrimp: Arrange shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and a dark crust forms.
- Add garlic butter: Reduce heat, add butter and minced garlic, and toss shrimp in the melted butter for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with cilantro and lime wedges, and 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 — this prevents burning.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 5 g
Protein: 24 g
Fat: 12 g
Sodium: 1570 mg
Nutrition information is an approximation.
Additional Info
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