Blackened Shrimp Recipe | Perfect for Tacos or Pasta

This Blackened Shrimp has a flavor like no other and it's just out of this world good. You can use it for tacos, pasta, or just eat it alone. And the best part, it only takes 10 minutes from start-to-finish to whip up this tasty shrimp recipe!

The Best Blackened Shrimp

The combination of seasonings in this blackened shrimp recipe is out of this world good - they mix together to create cajun shrimp with a bold flavor that is irresistibly addictive.

Like, seriously, you won't be able to stop making this recipe after you try it. 

Plus, this recipe is super versatile - you can make shrimp tacos, put it in pasta or a salad, or simply enjoy it on its own. That said, my favorite way to eat this shrimp is by making blackened shrimp tacos - the flavors of the cajun shrimp have taco night written all over it. 

Plus, this is truly one of the easiest shrimp recipes you can make! All you need are a few spices and seasonings - and the shrimp, of course.  

And since these are the only ingredients in this recipe, each serving of this delicious blackened shrimp has only 2.5 NET CARBS, putting it at the top of the list for keto shrimp recipes. 

Oh, and speaking of blackened seasoning, if you want a just as easy and delicious recipe with the same ingredients and flavor, check out this blackened chicken recipe!

Ingredients 

As I mentioned above, the only ingredients you will need for this recipe are a few spices, some seasonings, and the shrimp. And I'm thinking you probably have most - maybe all - of the ingredients in your pantry.

That said, here's what you will need:

• ¾ pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons oil
• 2 cloves garlic

So, as you can see, there's not much that goes into this recipe, but it creates a whole lot of flavor! The mix of spices and seasonings that will coat our shrimp makes a Cajun-style marinade with just the perfect amount of "heat".

What Is The Best Shrimp To use 

Ok, so you have two options for shrimp to use in this recipe - frozen or fresh.

Now, I recommend using frozen shrimp - it has an overall better taste, cooks better, and has a better texture. Also, buying frozen shrimp gives you so many options for different meals to make. You can buy a couple of pounds and be set for a few weeks.

And if you stock up on some shrimp, you'll have it on-hand to make some more recipes! Here are a few of my favorites:

• Sweet and Sour Shrimp
• General Tso Shrimp
• Shrimp Burgers 
• Shrimp Lo-Mein
• Bang Bang Shrimp 

But you can use fresh shrimp for this recipe and it'll be just as delicious. If you do buy fresh shrimp, keep in mind that it has already been thawed and is losing its freshness by the hour - so try to use it within 2 days.  

How to thaw frozen shrimp

In addition to using frozen shrimp is thawing it before cooking - but no worries, it is super easy to do. 

First, fill a large bowl with cold water, seal the shrimp in a Ziploc bag and place it in the water. 

Then you will want to let the shrimp sit in the bowl for about 10-20 minutes until they are defrosted. After that, place the shrimp on a plate lined with paper towels, pat them dry, and it's cooking time!

How to make Blackened Shrimp

Now it's time to get into the good stuff! As I mentioned earlier, the cooking process for this recipe is beyond easy.

So, once you have all of your ingredients together, you can whip up some tasty shrimp that will wow your family, friends, and even yourself.

Without further ado, let's whip up this recipe so you can serve blackened shrimp!

Step 1: Preparing the Shrimp

To start, you are going to mix all the spices and seasonings in a bowl.  

Next, add your shrimp to the bowl and stir until you generously coat each piece. Set the bowl aside and let the shrimp marinate for 30 minutes - this will allow the shrimp to soak up all of the delicious flavorsfrom the seasoning mixture. 

Step 2: Cooking the Shrimp

Ok, so, once it is close to 30 minutes, heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and cover the surface with oil. That said, if you prefer a crispy, darker crust on your shrimp, you can crank the heat up to high. 

Anyway, as soon as the skillet heats up, add the shrimp to the pan in one layer. You will want to make sure that each piece of shrimp is lying flat on the surface of the skillet for the best results. 

Let the shrimp cook for 2 minutes without moving them, then flip the shrimp and cook for another 2 minutes. After that, add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 10-30 seconds until fragrant. 

Step 3: Serving

If you are making shrimp tacos, serve the hot shrimp in corn tortillas with coleslaw, fresh cilantro, a dash of lime juice, and any other toppings you want. 

You could also add this blackened shrimp to your favorite pasta or salad! 

And, of course, you can enjoy this shrimp all by itself for a flavorful explosion. 

Storing Blackened Shrimp

So, you've whipped up a batch of blackened shrimp, and surprisingly, you have some leftover - giving you something to look forward to the next few days. 

Well, if that is the case, the blackened shrimp will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. However, to store it longer, you can keep it in the freezer in freezer-safe bags or an airtight container for up to 3 months. 

Reheating blackened shrimp 

Ok, you have your leftovers and want to make a few more shrimp tacos with it. 

Although this shrimp is delicious cold, you can reheat it in the skillet to give you that same hot and fresh taste. 

First, put your skillet over medium heat and pour enough oil in it to cover the surface. Let the skillet heat up, then put your shrimp in the skillet, with each piece laying flat.

Heat the shrimp for about 2 minutes on one side, then flip and heat for an additional minute or so. Suppose your shrimp are not at your desired temperature - just heat for a few more minutes. 

Wrapping it all up 

This blackened shrimp recipe makes 2 servings, but if you plan on cooking it for a family dinner - or want to get a few meals out of it - you can easily double or triple the recipe!

And, honestly, I love making this recipe for a family dinner because everyone can enjoy the shrimp however they want - whether it's by itself, as a taco, or in pasta - anyone who eats this stuff can't get enough of it. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this bold-flavored blackened shrimp recipe as much as I do! And if you make it, let me know how it turns out. 

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