Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Butter
Succulent shrimp marinated in bold Cajun spices, grilled to perfection and served with a rich roasted garlic butter sauce. This Caribbean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs 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 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 whole garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). In a bowl, combine 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; toss to coat evenly and let marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: While shrimp marinates, wrap 6 whole garlic cloves in foil and roast in the preheated grill for 15 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Step 3: Melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into the butter and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice; keep warm.
- Step 4: Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and slightly charred, turning once.
- Step 5: Remove shrimp from grill and drizzle with the roasted garlic butter sauce, then garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Roasted 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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Roasted 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 Roasted 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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Butter?
Caribbean 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.
