Spice up your grill nights with Grilled Cajun Shrimp: juicy, smoky shrimp seasoned with bold Cajun spices. This quick, easy recipe is perfect for BBQs, weeknight dinners, and summer parties.
Grilled Cajun shrimp is an excellent way to add variety to your weekly meals. The spicy Cajun rub combined with the grill’s smokiness creates a dish that consistently delights. Shrimp grills quickly, so you can serve what tastes like a special meal even on busy weeknights.
Use this Cajun shrimp as an appetizer, a salad or pasta topping, or make a double batch on meal-prep day to enjoy a protein boost throughout the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Grilling shrimp is easy and delivers a juicy, flavorful protein you can use in many dishes.
- Prep is quick and grilling is faster: tender, spicy shrimp on the table in 15 minutes or less.
- Great for beginners and experienced cooks—Cajun grilled shrimp is forgiving and fast.
Ingredients For Grilled Cajun Shrimp
- Shrimp – Peeled and deveined shrimp are easiest to work with. Fresh or frozen both work; thaw frozen shrimp in the fridge overnight.
- Cajun seasoning – Use your favorite store-bought blend (typically paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and black pepper).
- Olive oil – Prevents sticking and helps the seasoning adhere to the shrimp.
- Lemon – Serve with wedges for brightness; lime is a fine substitute.
How To Make Grilled Cajun Shrimp
- Pat shrimp dry and place in a medium bowl. Add Cajun seasoning and toss until evenly coated.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high, oil the grates, then place the shrimp on the hot grates. Cook about 3 minutes until they develop some char.
- Flip the shrimp and cook another 2 minutes, or until they are opaque and no longer translucent.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Pro Tips
- Avoid overcooking; shrimp become rubbery when cooked too long.
- Season shrimp in a zip-top bag and shake to coat—fewer dishes to wash.
- Smaller shrimp need less time, so watch the grill closely.
- Space shrimp evenly on the grates to ensure even cooking.
- For small shrimp, use skewers to prevent them from falling through the grates.
- Leave the grill lid open to help prevent overcooking from trapped heat.
- If the weather prevents outdoor grilling, a hot grill pan on the stove will still give you char marks and flavor.
Grilled Cajun Shrimp
Equipment
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Measuring spoons
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Meat thermometer
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Mixing bowl
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Grill tongs
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Bamboo skewers optional
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 whole lemon
Instructions
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Heat grill to medium-high, clean the grates, and rub oil on them.
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Pat shrimp dry, place in a mixing bowl, add Cajun seasoning, and toss to coat.
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Place shrimp on hot grates and cook 3 minutes until charred. Flip and cook 2 more minutes until opaque.
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Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Tips
Freezer: Cool leftovers completely, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag.
To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat or use an air fryer to avoid toughness.
Nutrition Information
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Carbohydrates: 1g
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Protein: 0.2g
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Fat: 4g (6%)
We are not dietitians. Nutrition info is calculated by a program and may contain errors. For precise values, run ingredients through your preferred nutrition calculator.
How Can I Tell When Shrimp Is Fully Cooked?
Shrimp cooks quickly. It is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 145°F, but you can also judge doneness by appearance: cooked shrimp turn opaque and curl into a loose “C” shape. If they curl tightly into an “O,” they are overcooked. Fully cooked shrimp also turn pink.
Should I Leave The Tail On?
Leaving the tail on is a matter of preference. Tails look attractive for presentation and can add flavor, but removing them makes eating easier for some preparations.
Perfectly seasoned without overwhelming heat, grilled Cajun shrimp is a recipe you’ll return to again and again. These disappear fast whether feeding family or a crowd.
Storage And Reheating
Fridge: Store leftover grilled Cajun shrimp in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Cool leftovers completely, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag.
To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat or use an air fryer to keep shrimp tender.
How To Serve Grilled Cajun Shrimp
The serving options are versatile. Serve shrimp over rice or noodles with garlic butter and diced green onion, or add them to tacos and salads. Grilled vegetables—like asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions—pair especially well and make a complete meal.
More Great Shrimp Recipes
- Try a simple pantry-based shrimp marinade for another fast option.
- Blackstone-style shrimp cooks quickly and is great as an appetizer or main.
- Steak and shrimp kabobs are an easy surf-and-turf option for gatherings.
- If you like heat, spicy grilled shrimp kabobs deliver sticky, bold flavor.