Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Skewers with Red, White, and Blue Slaw

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

Tender shrimp coated in smoky Cajun spices paired with a crisp slaw featuring red cabbage, white onion, and fresh blueberries for a patriotic flair. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 23 minutes pairs (peeled and deveined) large shrimp, olive oil, Cajun seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 270 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: 15 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 American cuisine 270 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 3 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning until evenly coated. Thread shrimp onto 8 soaked wooden skewers.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp are opaque and slightly charred.
  3. Step 3: While shrimp cooks, combine 2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage, 1/2 cup thinly sliced white onion, and 1/2 cup fresh blueberries in a mixing bowl.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and toss gently until slaw is evenly coated and vibrant. Serve grilled shrimp skewers atop the red, white, and blue slaw immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Skewers with Red, White, and Blue Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 23 minutes (15 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 Red, White, and Blue Slaw?

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 Red, White, and Blue Slaw?

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 Red, White, and Blue Slaw 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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Skewers with Red, White, and Blue Slaw?

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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