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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate sauce for at least one hour to allow ingredients to meld and develop a complex, rich taste profile.
- 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.
- Shrimp Seasoning: Thoroughly coat raw shrimp with the spice mixture, massaging seasoning into each piece for complete coverage.
- Skillet Preparation: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and lightly coat with olive oil, tilting to create an even, non-stick surface.
- Shrimp Cooking: Arrange seasoned shrimp in a single layer, allowing maximum contact with the hot surface to create a deep, caramelized crust.
- 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.
- 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