Cajun Grilled Shrimp Skewers (Printable)

Zesty Cajun-marinated shrimp grilled to smoky perfection with a fresh lemon and parsley touch.

# What goes in:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1½ lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on or off

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice in a large bowl until well combined.
02 - Add shrimp to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat evenly. Let stand at room temperature for 10–15 minutes to absorb flavors.
03 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for 20–30 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
04 - Thread marinated shrimp onto skewers, spacing each piece slightly apart to ensure even heat circulation and cooking.
05 - Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, approximately 400°F.
06 - Cook skewers for 2–3 minutes per side until shrimp turn opaque throughout and develop light char marks.
07 - Arrange skewers on a serving platter, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and accompany with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The shrimp stay incredibly juicy because the marinade locks in moisture while they grill
  • You can adjust the heat from mild to spicy by playing with the cayenne
  • Everything comes together in under 25 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners
02 -
  • Do not marinate the shrimp for longer than 15 minutes or the acid will start to affect the texture
  • Medium-high heat is the sweet spot, anything higher will burn the spices before the shrimp cook through
03 -
  • Pat the shrimp dry before adding them to the marinade so the spices actually stick
  • Let the grilled shrimp rest for just 2 minutes before serving, they stay juicier that way

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