Cajun Spiced Grilled Shrimp (Print Version)

Juicy shrimp infused with Cajun spices, grilled to smoky tenderness for flavorful, quick meals.

# What You Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1½ lbs large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp onion powder
08 - ½ tsp dried thyme
09 - ½ tsp dried oregano
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
12 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
14 - Lemon wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover bowl and refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning.
04 - Thread marinated shrimp onto skewers for easier grilling and handling.
05 - Grill shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred, being careful not to overcook.
06 - Remove from grill and transfer to serving platter. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and accompany with lemon wedges.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The marinade comes together in under five minutes but tastes like you spent hours planning it
  • These shrimp cook so fast theyre practically emergency dinner material
  • The spice blend hits every single flavor note without being overwhelmingly hot
02 -
  • Over marinating is a real problem with citrus, so stick to that 20 minute window or the shrimp texture gets weird
  • Medium-high heat is your friend here, too high and you'll burn the spices before the shrimp cook through
  • These guys go from perfect to rubbery in about 30 seconds, so watch them like a hawk
03 -
  • Pat the shrimp completely dry before adding them to the marinade so the spices actually stick
  • Let the grilled shrimp rest for about 2 minutes before serving so they stay juicy

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