Here’s a long, flavorful Baked Cajun Shrimp recipe — juicy, spicy, and super easy 🦐🔥
🦐 Baked Cajun Shrimp
This Baked Cajun Shrimp is bold, buttery, and packed with smoky Cajun spices. It comes together in minutes and makes a perfect appetizer, weeknight dinner, or party dish. Serve it with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
🧾 Ingredients (serves 4)
1½ lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined
3 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
3 tbsp butter, melted (for extra richness)
4–5 cloves garlic, minced
1½ tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
½ tsp paprika (smoked if possible)
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tbsp lemon juice
Zest of ½ lemon (optional)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & prep
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat shrimp dry with paper towels to help them roast instead of steam.
2️⃣ Season the shrimp
In a large bowl, combine olive oil, melted butter, garlic, Cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne, lemon juice, and pepper. Add shrimp and toss until evenly coated.
3️⃣ Arrange for baking
Spread shrimp in a single layer in a baking dish or sheet pan. Pour any remaining sauce over the shrimp.
4️⃣ Bake
Bake uncovered for 8–10 minutes, until shrimp are pink, opaque, and slightly curled. Do not overcook — shrimp cook fast.
5️⃣ Finish & serve
Remove from oven, sprinkle with parsley and lemon zest. Serve immediately.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
Over rice or Cajun dirty rice
With pasta or creamy Alfredo
With grits
With garlic bread
On tacos or wraps
💡 Tips for Best Results
Use raw shrimp, not pre-cooked
Adjust Cajun seasoning for saltiness
For crisp edges, broil 1–2 minutes at the end
🔄 Variations
🧄 Extra garlic butter version
🌶️ Spicy honey Cajun (add 1 tbsp honey)
🧀 Cajun shrimp with Parmesan (sprinkle before baking)
