Cajun Shrimp With Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe

I just whipped up this shrimp dish that’s got a crazy mix of buttery garlic, zesty lemon, and Cajun spice that makes every bite feel like a flavor party even if it isn’t perfect.

I love cookin Cajun Shrimp With Garlic Butter Sauce becuz its packed with protein and healthy fats from shrimp, olive oil, and butter. I marinated the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper, then stirred garlic, white wine, and lemon juice into a sauce.

My dish makes a balanced meal.

Ingredients

• Shrimp provide lean protein, help build muscle, low fat and a nice seafood taste, tasty.
• Cajun seasoning gives bold spicy flavors, some fiber from herbs and adding an extra kick.
• Garlic is healthy, helps fight colds and adds rich aroma and flavor to dishes.
• Butter offers a smooth rich taste, though it is high in fat it makes the sauce creamy and delicious.
• Olive oil is full of healthy fats and boosts flavor, keeping calories in check.
• Lemon adds a tangy sour touch and gives vitamin C, brightening this dish nicely.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning (divided into marinade & sauce)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter (split use)
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

How to Make this

1. In a large bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with 1 Tbsp of Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.

2. Set aside the remaining 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning for later use in the sauce.

3. Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

4. Place the shrimp in the skillet and cook each side for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and are cooked through then remove them and set aside.

5. Using the same skillet, add 2 Tbsp of the unsalted butter and let it melt.

6. Add the 6 minced garlic cloves into the melted butter and cook for around 1 minute until they become fragrant.

7. Pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth and let it simmer for about 2 minutes so it reduces a bit.

8. Stir in 1 Tbsp of fresh lemon juice and sprinkle the remaining Cajun seasoning into the sauce.

9. Add the other 2 Tbsp of butter into the skillet and mix well until the butter fully melts into the sauce.

10. Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together until the shrimp is well coated in the garlic butter sauce then garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Equipment Needed

1. A large bowl for tossing the shrimp in the marinade
2. Measuring spoons for the Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and lemon juice
3. A large skillet for cooking the shrimp and making the sauce
4. A spatula or tongs for flipping the shrimp and tossing them in the sauce
5. A knife and a cutting board for chopping the fresh parsley
6. Optionally, a garlic press if you didn’t already mince the garlic manually

FAQ

• What side dishes work best with this recipe?
  
  Oh, you can serve these Cajun shrimp with rice pasta or even over a fresh salad for a light meal.
• Can I use frozen shrimp for this?
  
  Yes you can but make sure they are fully defrosted and patted dry before marinating so they cook evenly.
• How do I adjust the spice if I’m sensitive to heat?
  
  If you find the Cajun seasoning too spicy, you can use a little less. You could also mix in a pinch of sugar to balance the heat.
• What can I substitute for dry white wine in the garlic butter sauce?
  
  You can easily swap out the white wine with chicken broth for a milder flavor if you prefer.
• How long should I marinate the shrimp?
  
  The shrimp only need a short marinade of about 10 minutes to absorb the Cajun flavor.
• Can I add other ingredients to the sauce?
  
  Sure you can experiment add some lemon zest or a pinch of red pepper flakes for even more flavor.

Cajun Shrimp With Garlic Butter Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you don’t have Cajun seasoning, try combining smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of oregano for a similar kick.
• You can swap olive oil with canola or avocado oil if thats all you got in your kitchen.
• If you run out of unsalted butter, using salted butter works fine but just reduce the extra salt in the recipe a bit.
• Dry white wine can be replaced with a light chicken broth or even a splash of apple cider vinegar diluted in water.
• Lemon juice can easily be switched with lime juice for a different citrus zing that still brightens the dish.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your pan is properly heated before addin the shrimp. If its not super hot, the shrimp might stick and get kinda soggy, which is no fun.
2. Dont overcrowd the skillet. If you cram all the shrimp in there at once, they wont get that nice sear on each side, so cook em in batches if you need too.
3. Use the same pan for both the shrimp and the garlic butter sauce. That way all the flavors mix together real nice, but be careful to scrape up any little bits stuck on the bottom without burnin em.
4. When addin the butter, do it in two steps like the recipe says – melt a bit earlier for the garlic and then add the rest later so your sauce stays smooth and creamy. Enjoy cookin!