Herb-Crusted Baked Cajun Shrimp with Lemon
Juicy shrimp coated in a fragrant Cajun spice blend, baked to perfection with a bright lemon finish. This american-inspired seafood (whole30) ready in about 24 minutes pairs shrimp, avocado oil, paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 185 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
- 14 oz shrimp
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1, sliced into rounds lemon
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Toss 14 oz shrimp with 1 tbsp avocado oil, 1 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 1/4 tsp sea salt until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Arrange shrimp in a single layer on the baking sheet, top with 1 sliced lemon round, and bake for 12-15 minutes until shrimp are opaque and edges are slightly golden.
- Step 4: Remove from oven, sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Crusted Baked Cajun Shrimp with Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 24 minutes (10 min prep + 14 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 Herb-Crusted Baked Cajun Shrimp with Lemon?
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 shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Crusted Baked Cajun Shrimp with Lemon?
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 Herb-Crusted Baked Cajun Shrimp with Lemon 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 Herb-Crusted Baked Cajun Shrimp with Lemon whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
