Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Skewers with Garlic-Lime Butter

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

Juicy shrimp marinated in smoky Cajun spices, grilled to perfection and brushed with a zesty garlic-lime butter sauce. This caribbean-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 28 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, Cajun seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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: 20 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined, tossing to coat evenly. Let marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then stir in 1 tbsp lime juice and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Thread the marinated shrimp onto 4 soaked wooden skewers, about 5-6 shrimp per skewer. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
  4. Step 4: Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and slightly charred. During the last minute, brush the shrimp generously with the garlic-lime butter to glaze.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill, brush once more with remaining garlic-lime butter, and serve hot garnished with extra parsley if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Skewers with Garlic-Lime Butter take to make?

Total time is about 28 minutes (20 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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Skewers with Garlic-Lime Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Skewers with Garlic-Lime 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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Skewers with Garlic-Lime 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.

Is Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Skewers with Garlic-Lime Butter 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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