Blackened Shrimp Recipe
Blackened shrimp is a spicy, buttery seafood recipe that features bold flavors and it only takes about 15 minutes to make. This simple recipe features pan seared shrimp in a simple homemade blackening seasoning. You can use frozen or fresh shrimp, just make sure to clean it first.
Servings: 2
Calories: 411kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb uncooked shrimp large, extra large, or jumbo size
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1 tbsp butter for cooking
Blackening Seasoning:
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper add more if needs to be spicier
Instructions
- If you bought shrimp in shells, make sure to peel and devein the shrimp first. (Detailed instructions here.) Don't skip the cleaning step!
- Expert Tip: make sure your shrimp is not cold! Let it warm up on the counter for few minutes if needed. Cold shrimp will solidify the butter and the seasoning won't adhere well or evenly to the shrimp.
- Start preheating a cooking pan over medium-high heat while seasoning shrimp. I recommend using a cast iron skillet because it hold the heat very well and even.
- Pat clean shrimp dry with a paper towel and add them to the mixing bowl.
- In another small bowl, mix together all the ingredient for the blackening seasoning.
- Add melted butter to the shrimp and toss to coat them evenly.
- Sprinkle blackening seasoning over the shrimp as you gently mix. Make sure that shrimp is evenly coated in seasoning.
- (Make sure that the pan is completely preheated before cooking shrimp.) Add a tablespoon of butter to the preheated skillet and add shrimp. Make sure the shrimp are in one even layer, not overlapping.
- Cook shrimp until pink and opaque on one side and then flip to the other side. Cook shrimp just until they are pink and opaque on that side as well. Depending on the size, shrimp will take 4-5 minutes to cook altogether.
- Take them out of the pan as soon and they're cooked and serve with your favorite sides or over pasta.
Video
Notes
Plant based butter: if you need to make this recipe lactose free or dairy free, simply use plant based butter.
Adjust spice level: 1/4 tsp. of cayenned pepper will give you about medium level of heat. If you want milder, use about 1/8 tsp. or just a pinch of cayenne pepper. For more spice, increase cayenne to 1/2 tsp or even a little more. Remember, cayenne is quite spicy, increase in small increments.
Nutrition
Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 617mg | Sodium: 3084mg | Potassium: 320mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2301IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 355mg | Iron: 7mg