Sautéed Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter
This dish features succulent shrimp sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce with a bold Cajun spice blend, perfect for a quick and flavorful meal. This southern american-inspired seafood ready in about 18 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Toss 1 pound large shrimp with 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, then add to the skillet in a single layer.
- Step 4: Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque with slight char, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Remove skillet from heat, stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, tossing to coat the shrimp evenly.
- Step 6: Serve immediately garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter take to make?
Total time is about 18 minutes (10 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 Sautéed Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with 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 Sautéed Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with 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 Sautéed Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with 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 Sautéed Cajun-Spiced Shrimp with Garlic Butter?
Southern 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.
