Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Lemon-Garlic Butter

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

Tender shrimp marinated in a zesty Cajun spice blend, grilled to perfection and finished with a bright lemon-garlic butter sauce. This american-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 28 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, paprika 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 American cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss well to coat and marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred.
  3. Step 3: While shrimp cooks, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
  4. Step 4: Remove shrimp from grill and immediately brush with the lemon-garlic butter sauce. Serve warm garnished with extra parsley if desired.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Lemon-Garlic 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 with Lemon-Garlic 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 with Lemon-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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Lemon-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.

Is Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Lemon-Garlic 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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