Cajun Shrimp

You’re going to fall in love with this recipe. This Cajun Shrimp dish is incredible. It is easy to make and comes together in less than fifteen minutes using only four ingredients. This dish is perfect to indulge in on a warm spring day or a cold winter night. The best part is that it requires minimal effort.

You can serve this dish with rice, rolls, buttered bread, or on top of pasta. Come to think of it, Cajun and shrimp are a time-tested pair. The intensity of the garlic pairs perfectly with the shrimp. 😉

What do you need to make this Cajun Shrimp?

Shrimp, Onion, Garlic Cloves, Cajun Spice.

Choose fresh or frozen shrimp to make this dish. The onions and garlic form the foundation of this recipe, which is mildly seasoned with Cajun spice to ensure that the shrimp stand out. You can also add other types of seafood, such as calamari, white fish, and clams.

Make sure to wash and clean the seafood thoroughly. For this recipe, you can use white onions, red onions, or shallots. Garlic cloves are an absolute necessity. When the garlic caramelizes, it creates a unique flavour for the seafood in this dish.

Instructions

Finely chop the onions, then slice the garlic cloves. If you’re using fresh shrimp with the shells on, remove the shell and clean out the digestive tract by incision along the shrimp’s back.

You will notice a thin black line—that is, the gut of the shrimp. It must be removed. In some supermarkets, the fishmonger will butterfly and clean the shrimp for you. If they do, ensure the digestive tract is removed correctly. If not, make sure to do so. After you have double-checked and cleaned the shrimp, rewash it. Place it in the fridge until it is ready for use.

Set the stove to medium-low heat. Sauté the onions and garlic in cooking oil for five to eight minutes until caramelized. Add the Cajun spice with an additional tablespoon of cooking oil. Stir and let it cook until the onions and garlic are properly mixed with the Cajun seasoning.

It is essential to add the shrimp at the end of the process after the onions and garlic have caramelized. Avoid overcooking the shrimp; it is ready as soon as it turns pink from translucent. Serve with finely chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Whether you’re preparing this dish for your family or guests, garlic shrimp is an elegant and crowd-favourite.

What can you Serve with Cajun Shrimp?

This hearty dish pairs with most salads. Consider a Lush Green salad, a crunchy cucumber salad, or a Greek Salad. One of the tastiest combinations also includes Garlic bread or White rice. Consider Garlic Mashed potatoes if you’re in the mood for something more comforting.

How can you Store Cajun Shrimp?

Store in the fridge for two to four days. The Cajun shrimp will be more robust and richer in flavour. Make sure that you use an airtight container. You can also freeze this recipe and consume it within three months. Defrost on the countertop and reheat in a pot on the stove.

Expert Tips

Cajun shrimp is a savoury dish made with simple ingredients. It is infused with the pungent notes of garlic, onion, and Cajun spice. This dish is not particularly spicy; however, you can always increase the heat with the addition of paprika, fresh chilies, or chili flakes. It can also be served with pasta. We’ve recently made a slightly spicier pasta version of this dish using tomatoes: Shrimp pasta.

Using pre-cleaned frozen Shrimp for this dish is perfectly fine. Simply defrost the Shrimp. Also, it is not compulsory to remove the shells. You can peel them when you eat the Cajun shrimp. Adding your favourite jar of tomatoes can also enhance this dish.

It is best to use brands made in Italy or Spain. They’re the best. The hot sun produces incredibly sweet tomatoes that are delicious in Pasta and seafood dishes. If you can’t find those options in your supermarket and choose to use fresh tomatoes, make sure to add a few teaspoons of tomato paste to get that intense tomato flavour.