Festive Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter

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

Juicy shrimp sautéed in a lively Cajun spice blend and garlic butter, perfect for a fun and festive seafood dinner. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 16 minutes, pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced 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 weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 6 min Serves 4 American cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1 lb large shrimp dry with paper towels, then toss with 2 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to brown the garlic.
  4. Step 4: Add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on one side until the edges turn pink and start to crisp.
  5. Step 5: Flip the shrimp and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until opaque and cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  7. Step 7: Transfer shrimp to a serving plate and spoon the garlic butter sauce over the top for a festive finish.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 16 minutes (10 min prep + 6 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 Festive Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter?

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 Festive Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter?

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 Festive Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter 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.

What goes well with Festive Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter?

American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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