Blackened Shrimp

Juicy shrimp pan seared in bold, spicy seasonings make this blackened shrimp recipe irresistibly good!

Why this recipe works

This blackened shrimp recipe is tossed in a homemade blackened seasoning made of chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. It’s a mixture of bold, spicy, and aromatic seasonings that will make your mouth water (in a good way).

Blackened seasoning is well known throughout cajun cuisine and is extra popular down south where it originated. You can use it on fish, shellfish, and chicken for a crisp caramelized crust with a hint of smokey flavor. If you’re a fan of cajun food, you’ll definitely love this recipe! Take it even further and substitute this shrimp into our cajun chicken pasta for a full blast of rustic spicy flavor.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

SHRIMP – We find our grilling shrimp at the butcher counter at our local grocery store. You can also buy frozen bagged shrimp, just be sure they are not pre-cooked. Allow frozen shrimp to thaw completely before beginning.

SEASONING – Our version of blackening seasoning uses chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper is what brings the heat in the spice blend. Omit it or reduce the amount you use if you aren’t a fan of spicy foods. You can also find pre-packaged blackened seasoning at the store.

How to Make Blackened Shrimp

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Rinse shrimp and pat dry with paper towels.
2. Combine all seasoning ingredients and whisk together.
3. Using gloved hands, toss shrimp in seasoning ingredients to coat well.
4. Heat skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Cook shrimp for 3 minutes per side. Be careful not to crowd shrimp in the pan.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Serving Suggestions

Serve blackened shrimp over rice, wrapped into tacos or burritos, in salads, or on their own with cocktail sauce or Alabama white sauce for dipping. Another popular way to enjoy blackened shrimp is to toss it into a bowl with veggies and rice. Enjoy!

More Shrimp Recipes

• Shrimp Pasta
• Popcorn Shrimp
• Shrimp Kabobs
• Shrimp Po Boys
• Spicy Shrimp
• Butterfly Shrimp
• Citrus Pepper Shrimp

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Blackened Shrimp

This blackened shrimp recipe is tossed in a homemade blackened seasoning made of chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. It's a mixture of bold, spicy, and aromatic seasonings that will make your mouth water (in a good way).

4.93 from 14 votes

IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings: 3 servings

21 minutes mins

Calories: 361

Author: Amanda Davis

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 pound extra large grilling shrimp peeled and deveined, tails on

Seasoning

• ▢ ⅓ cup olive oil
• ▢ ½ Tablespoon chili powder
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon paprika
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 2 teaspoons pepper
• ▢ 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper optional if you want it spicy

Things You’ll Need

• ▢
  Large skillet
• ▢
  Mixing bowls
• ▢
  Vinyl gloves
• ▢
  Tongs
• ▢
  Whisk

Before You Begin

• We find our grilling shrimp at the butcher counter at our local grocery store. You can also buy frozen bagged shrimp, just be sure they are not precooked. Allow frozen shrimp to thaw before beginning.
• Blackened shrimp gets its heat from the cayenne pepper in the spice blend. The cayenne pepper is optional, but it does add an extra element of flavor without being overbearingly spicy. If you want a little kick, only add a pinch of cayenne or omit it altogether.

Instructions

• Rinse shrimp and pat dry with paper towels.
• Combine all seasoning ingredients and whisk together.
• Using gloved hands, toss shrimp in seasoning ingredients to coat well.
• Heat skillet over medium-high heat.
• Cook shrimp for 3 minutes per side. Be careful not to crowd shrimp in the pan.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (about 4 shrimp) | Calories: 361cal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 191mg | Sodium: 1658mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2379IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 2mg

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