Grilled Cajun Shrimp

Spice up your grill nights with Grilled Cajun Shrimp! Juicy, smoky, and seasoned with bold Cajun spices, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for BBQs, weeknight dinners, or summer parties.

Grilled Cajun shrimp is a great choice if you are looking to add a little variety to your weekly meal plan. Honestly, this is the best grilled shrimp recipe out there! The spicy Cajun blend combined with the smokiness from the grill makes this shrimp dish a hit every time we serve it.

Shrimp is so easy to grill and takes only minutes so you can make what feels like a fancy meal even on a busy weeknight. Serve Cajun seasoned shrimp as an appetizer, salad or pasta topper or double up the batch on meal prep day for a protein boost throughout the week.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Grilling shrimp is so easy and you get a juicy, flavorful protein every single time. Plus you can use it in so many different meals.
• Prep is quick but grilling is even quicker! You will have tender, spicy grilled shrimp on the table in 15 minutes or less.
• If seafood sounds intimidating, Cajun shrimp on the grill is a great place to start. This grilled shrimp recipe is great for beginners and experienced cooks alike.

Ingredients For Grilled Cajun Shrimp

• Shrimp – Peeled and deveined shrimp will be the easiest to work with, so that’s what we recommend you use. You can buy fresh or frozen, just thaw in the fridge overnight if using frozen shrimp.
• Cajun seasoning – Use your favorite store bought seasoning typically made with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and black pepper.
• Olive oil – Use this to keep shrimp from sticking to the grill grates.
• Lemon – Cut lemon wedges to serve with this dish and add some brightness to the shrimp. If you only have lime on hand, that’s a great alternative!

How To Make Grilled Cajun Shrimp

1. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel and add them to a medium sized mixing bowl. Add the Cajun seasoning. Mix until the shrimp is coated with the seasoning.
2. Place shrimp on the preheated grill and cook for 3 minutes, or until they have some char. Flip shrimp and cook for another 2 minutes, or just until shrimp are no longer translucent.
3. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.

How Can I Tell When Shrimp Is Fully Cooked?

Shrimp cooks quickly, so it is best to keep a close watch. Shrimp is safe to eat when it reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit, but you can also determine whether it is safe to eat or not based on how it looks.

Cooked shrimp will be opaque and will have curled into a “C” shape. If it has curled all the way into an “O”, it is overdone. The shrimp will have also turned pink.

Should I Leave The Tail On?

This is up to your personal preference. Of course, the tail looks great for presentation and does hold some extra flavor, but whether you leave it on or not, does not matter.

Perfectly seasoned without overwhelming heat, grilled Cajun shrimp is a recipe you’ll come back to time and time again. Whether you’re feeding your family or a crowd, these will disappear in no time.

Storage And Reheating

Fridge: Store leftover grilled Cajun shrimp in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Once leftover shrimp has cooled completely, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze. After they’ve frozen, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag.

To reheat, use the stovetop on low heat so the shrimp doesn’t become tough or give it a go in the air fryer.

How To Serve Grilled Cajun Shrimp

The serving options are endless with mouthwatering Cajun shrimp. We love to serve shrimp over a bed of rice or noodles with garlic butter and diced green onion.

A few favorite side veggies in our house include Easy Grilled Vegetables with a mix of bell peppers, red onion, squash and mushrooms. We also love a bacon wrapped grilled vegetable and our Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts are always a crowd pleaser. Grilled Asparagus and Zucchini are also super tasty, especially if it’s the right time of year to enjoy them right out of your garden.

Grilled Cajun shrimp is also a great protein option for your next family taco night or added onto a Grilled Caesar Salad.

More Great Shrimp Recipes

• We’ve got a terrific Shrimp Marinade for you to try out. Made simply with pantry staples so you can make it any time.
• In just a few short minutes, you can enjoy Blackstone Shrimp. Whether you are serving it as an appetizer or main, this is a low maintenance dish that you’ll make again and again.
• Who doesn’t love a good surf and turf in the comfort of their own back yard? Steak And Shrimp Kabobs are a must try at your next get together. No one needs to know just how easy they are – let them think you’ve gone the extra mile!
• A little extra heat goes a long way and our Spicy Grilled Shrimp Kabobs are just what the spice lovers in your family need to eat tonight! Marinated and then basted while they’re on the grill for extra flavor, these are a sticky, spicy delight.