Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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Succulent shrimp coated in Cajun spices, sautéed and finished with a rich garlic butter sauce that highlights Louisiana flavors. This Caribbean-inspired seafood recipe (low carb), ready in about 18 minutes, pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, Cajun seasoning, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 1 lb large shrimp and toss with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque with a slight char.
  3. Step 3: Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside. Lower heat to medium and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant and butter is melted.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped parsley, then return shrimp to the skillet. Toss to coat shrimp in garlic butter sauce and cook for an additional 1 minute.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately garnished with extra parsley if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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