Spicy Skillet Blackened Shrimp Recipe: Dinner in a Flash

Sizzling pans and bold blackened shrimp recipe dance together in a culinary symphony of flavor and heat.

Seafood lovers rejoice as spices create a mouth-watering coating that brings restaurant-quality excitement to your kitchen.

The magic happens when perfectly seasoned shrimp meet high temperatures, developing a gorgeous dark crust that locks in incredible taste.

Each bite delivers a robust blend of smoky, zesty notes that awaken the palate.

Succulent shrimp turn golden brown with a delightful crispy exterior that promises pure satisfaction.

Packed with protein and ready in minutes, this dish turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.

You won’t believe how simple it is to create such a delectable masterpiece that will impress everyone at the table.

Instructions to Make Quick Blackened Shrimp

Zesty Spice Dance

• Spice Symphony Mixing the secret blend of ground seasonings creates a flavor explosion that will make taste buds sing. Blend paprika, salt, cayenne, cumin, thyme, black pepper, and onion powder into a vibrant powder.
• Shrimp Transformation Coat fresh shrimp with the spice mixture, ensuring each morsel gets a luxurious flavor massage. Every piece should glisten with the seasoning.
• Scorching Hot Skillet Crank up the heat on a large pan until it's sizzling hot. Pour a splash of olive oil and let it dance across the surface.
• Sauce Adventure (Optional) Whip together a tangy remoulade by combining mayo, mustard, paprika, seasoning, capers, horseradish, pickle juice, hot sauce, and garlic. Let flavors mingle in the refrigerator for maximum deliciousness.
• Serving Celebration Transfer golden-brown shrimp to a beautiful dish. Drizzle with optional remoulade and pair with your favorite side companions for a meal that promises pure joy.

Tips for Flavorful Blackened Shrimp

• Adjust cayenne pepper amount to personalize the heat level, reducing for mild flavors or increasing for extra kick.
• Swap shrimp with scallops or white fish fillets for an equally delicious alternative protein that absorbs the blackening seasoning perfectly.
• Use a cast-iron skillet for authentic blackening technique, achieving superior crispy exterior and deep flavor development.
• Convert this recipe into a quick salad topper, pasta mix-in, or wrap filling by adjusting cooking time and preparation method.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Quick & Blackened Shrimp

• Paprika: Provides vibrant color and smoky warmth, selecting fresh and bright red paprika enhances overall flavor profile.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning, choose kosher or sea salt for cleaner taste and better texture.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds fiery kick, adjust quantity based on heat tolerance and select high-quality ground pepper.
• Cumin: Introduces earthy undertones, opt for whole seeds ground fresh for maximum aromatic impact.
• Thyme: Delivers herbal complexity, fresh or dried versions work well with careful measurement.
• Black Pepper: Contributes sharp background heat, freshly ground offers superior flavor intensity.
• Onion Powder: Provides subtle sweetness and depth, look for pure powder without additives.

• Shrimp: Quick-cooking seafood that absorbs spices beautifully, select fresh or individually quick-frozen varieties with firm texture and clean ocean scent.

• Olive Oil: Creates perfect searing environment, choose extra virgin for richer flavor and higher quality.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base providing smooth texture, select full-fat version for richest consistency.
• Whole Grain Mustard, Capers, Pickle Juice: Tangy ingredients adding complex flavor layers, ensure ingredients are fresh and briny.
• Sweet Paprika, Cajun Seasoning: Enhances sauce's depth and color, use high-quality blend for authentic taste.
• Horseradish: Introduces sharp heat, fresh grated provides most intense flavor.
• Hot Sauce: Optional heat amplifier, choose preferred brand matching personal spice preference.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic punch, fresh minced offers most robust flavor profile.

Kitchen Tools for Blackened Shrimp

• Medium bowl: Perfect for mixing sauces and blending spices.
• Small bowl: Ideal for creating the spice blend.
• Whisk: Essential for combining remoulade sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Large skillet: Key for cooking shrimp with perfect blackened edges.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately portion out spices.
• Tongs or spatula: Great for flipping and handling shrimp during cooking.

Serving Ideas for Blackened Shrimp

• Zesty Salad Companion: Toss crisp mixed greens with a light citrus vinaigrette to complement the bold, spicy blackened shrimp. The fresh salad provides a cool, refreshing contrast to the intense flavors.
• Rice Bed Delight: Serve the blackened shrimp over a bed of fluffy cilantro-lime rice or creamy coconut rice. The grains will soak up the delicious spices and remoulade sauce, creating a mouthwatering combination.
• Beachy Taco Twist: Wrap the spicy shrimp in warm corn tortillas with a dollop of remoulade sauce, fresh slaw, and chopped cilantro. These shrimp tacos bring a vibrant, coastal-inspired meal to your table that's bursting with flavor.
• Quick Appetizer Platter: Arrange the blackened shrimp on a wooden board with the zesty remoulade sauce for dipping. Add some pickled vegetables and crusty bread to create an impressive starter perfect for gatherings or game nights.

Store Blackened Shrimp the Right Way

• Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Slice raw shrimp ahead of time and store in airtight containers within the refrigerator for quick cooking during busy weeknights, keeping seasoning blend separate in a small sealed container.
• Flavor Enhancement Technique: Allow seasoned shrimp to rest for 10-15 minutes before cooking to help spices penetrate deeper, creating more intense taste profiles without extra preparation time.
• Refrigeration Guidelines: Store cooked blackened shrimp in sealed containers for up to 2-3 days, ensuring maximum freshness by keeping them away from moisture and placing in the coldest section of your refrigerator.
• Sauce Storage Solutions: Homemade remoulade sauce maintains peak flavor when kept in glass containers with tight-fitting lids, lasting 5-7 days when refrigerated and stirred before each use to redistribute ingredients.

Crispy Blackened Shrimp

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Spicy Mexican blackened shrimp recipe delivers bold flavors with minimal preparation. Crispy, zesty seafood brings exciting Southwestern flair perfect for quick weeknight dinners you’ll enjoy eating.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsps whole grain mustard
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp Cajun or Creole seasoning
• 1 tsp horseradish
• ½ tsp hot sauce
• 2 tsp capers
• ½ tsp pickle juice
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1/8–¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 pound (454 g) raw shrimp (26 to 30 count, peeled and deveined)
• 1–2 tbsps (15–30 ml) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Whisk mayonnaise, whole grain mustard, sweet paprika, Cajun seasoning, capers, horseradish, pickle juice, hot sauce, and minced garlic in a medium bowl until smooth and fully blended.
2. Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate sauce for at least one hour to allow ingredients to meld and develop a complex, rich taste profile.
3. Spice Blend Creation: Thoroughly mix paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, thyme, black pepper, and onion powder in a small bowl, ensuring even distribution of spices.
4. Shrimp Seasoning: Thoroughly coat raw shrimp with the spice mixture, massaging seasoning into each piece for complete coverage.
5. Skillet Preparation: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and lightly coat with olive oil, tilting to create an even, non-stick surface.
6. Shrimp Cooking: Arrange seasoned shrimp in a single layer, allowing maximum contact with the hot surface to create a deep, caramelized crust.
7. Blackening Process: Cook undisturbed for one minute, then flip and continue cooking for an additional minute until shrimp curl into a “J” shape and become opaque.
8. Serving: Transfer blackened shrimp to a platter and serve immediately with the prepared remoulade sauce, complemented by selected side dishes for a complete meal.

Notes

• Chill Sauce for Depth: Refrigerating the remoulade sauce for at least an hour allows flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more complex and robust condiment.
• Master Spice Coating: Massage the spice blend thoroughly into each shrimp, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor penetration and consistent blackening.
• Achieve Perfect Sear: Use a hot, dry skillet and avoid overcrowding to create a crispy, dark crust that defines authentic blackened seafood without steaming the shrimp.
• Watch Cooking Time: Cook shrimp precisely one minute per side; overcooking leads to rubbery texture, while undercooking leaves an unpleasant raw center.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 27g
• Cholesterol: 220mg