Cajun Spiced Grilled Shrimp (Printable)
Juicy shrimp marinated in Cajun spices and grilled for a smoky, flavorful Southern-inspired dish.
# What goes in:
→ Shrimp
01 - 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Marinade
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 tsp Cajun seasoning blend
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp onion powder
08 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
09 - ½ tsp dried thyme
10 - ½ tsp dried oregano
11 - ½ tsp salt
12 - ¼ tsp black pepper
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
14 - Lemon wedges
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
02 - Add shrimp to the bowl and toss well to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes prior to threading to prevent burning.
04 - Thread marinated shrimp onto skewers, piercing through both the tail and head end to ensure stability during cooking.
05 - Grill shrimp skewers for 2–3 minutes per side, turning once, until shrimp are opaque throughout and display light charring.
06 - Remove skewers from grill, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The shrimp stay incredibly juicy while developing that irresistible smoky char
- prep time is practically nothing and the marinade does all the heavy lifting
02 -
- Over marinating makes shrimp mushy so stick to 15 minutes max
- Shrimp cook incredibly fast so watch them like a hawk after the first two minutes
03 -
- Buy the biggest shrimp you can find since they shrink on the grill
- Pat shrimp dry before adding them to the marinade so the spices actually stick