Spicy Cajun Whiskey Shrimp with Garlic Butter
Succulent shrimp sautéed in a spicy Cajun seasoning with a splash of whiskey, finished with rich garlic butter for a bold flavor punch. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs large shrimp, whiskey, unsalted butter 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
- 1/4 cup whiskey
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb peeled shrimp with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter is melted and foaming.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes without stirring, then flip and cook another 2 minutes until shrimp are opaque and slightly caramelized.
- Step 5: Carefully add 1/4 cup whiskey to the skillet, stirring to deglaze the pan, and cook for 1-2 minutes until the alcohol aroma subsides and sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Remove from heat and serve immediately over rice or crusty bread.









