Description
Spicy Louisiana-style blackened shrimp sizzle with bold Cajun seasoning, delivering intense flavor in mere minutes. Succulent prawns emerge perfectly charred, promising a zesty dinner that transports you to New Orleans’ culinary heart.
Ingredients
Scale
Remoulade Sauce (Optional):
Main Ingredients:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon horseradish
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons capers
- ½ teaspoon pickle juice
- 1 clove garlic
Blackened Shrimp:
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8–¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Main Protein:
- 1 pound raw shrimp (26 to 30 count, peeled and deveined)
Cooking Oil:
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Craft the remoulade sauce by whisking mayonnaise, whole grain mustard, sweet paprika, Cajun seasoning, capers, horseradish, pickle juice, hot sauce, and minced garlic in a medium mixing bowl until smooth and thoroughly incorporated.
- Allow the sauce to rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour to enhance flavor complexity, enabling ingredients to harmonize and develop a more robust profile.
- Prepare the spice blend by meticulously combining paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, thyme, black pepper, and onion powder in a small bowl, ensuring even distribution of each spice.
- Gently coat raw shrimp with the prepared spice mixture, massaging the seasoning into each piece to guarantee complete and uniform coverage.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating an optimal cooking surface for achieving a perfectly blackened exterior.
- Drizzle olive oil across the skillet, tilting to create a thin, even layer that prevents sticking and promotes caramelization.
- Carefully arrange seasoned shrimp in a single layer, allowing each piece maximum contact with the hot surface to develop a deep, rich crust.
- Cook undisturbed for approximately one minute, allowing the spices to form a flavorful, dark exterior.
- Flip each shrimp and continue cooking for an additional minute until they transform into a distinctive “J” shape and become opaque, signaling perfect doneness.
- Transfer the blackened shrimp to a serving platter, preserving their crisp texture and intense flavor profile.
- Accompany the shrimp with the prepared remoulade sauce and selected side dishes, creating a complete and satisfying culinary experience.
Notes
- Spice Blend Magic: Crafting the perfect blackened seasoning mix involves balancing bold spices like paprika, cayenne, and thyme for an explosive flavor profile.
- Quick Cooking Technique: Shrimp cook lightning-fast, requiring only 2 minutes total to achieve a perfectly charred exterior and tender, juicy interior.
- Sauce Enhancement: The zesty remoulade adds a creamy, tangy dimension that elevates the spicy blackened shrimp to restaurant-quality deliciousness.
- Preparation Tip: Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum spice adherence and achieve that signature crispy blackened crust.
- Temperature Control: Use a smoking-hot skillet and resist the urge to move shrimp around, allowing them to develop a beautiful caramelized exterior.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad to create a complete and satisfying meal in under 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg