Blackened Shrimp Recipe | Perfect for Tacos or Pasta

This Blackened Shrimp Recipe is so simple & easy, and it makes THE BEST blackened shrimp tacos! In fact, you can even add this shrimp to pasta,  and make a bangin' blackened shrimp pasta with it. That's how versatile it is. And it's super quick to whip up too, from start-to-finish this recipe will only take you 10 minutes!

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 blackened shrimp 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 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 for Blackened Shrimp

As I mentioned above, the only ingredients you will need for this recipe are a few spices, some seasonings, and the shrimp.

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

I'm thinking you probably have most - maybe all - of the ingredients in your pantry.

So, all you might need to do is pick up some shrimp, and you're in business. 

Having said that, if you're making for shrimp tacos with this blackened shrimp you'll also need: 

• Tortillas - these homemade keto ones are some of our favorites
• Coleslaw 
• Cilantro and lime for garnish
• Other toppings of your choice

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".

Making Blackened Shrimp Tacos

So, as I mentioned earlier, my favorite way to eat this shrimp is by making shrimp tacos with it. And the blackened shrimp is flavorful enough on its own that it can carry the tacos by itself - buuut there are various ways to jazz them up. 

One way you can fill your tortillas is with coleslaw. The slight sweetness that the coleslaw provides is the perfect counter to the spiciness from the blackened seasoning. 

With that said, there are countless other ingredients that you can add to make tasty blackened shrimp tacos - here are a few options: 

• Corn 
• Beans
• Rice 
• Cauliflower rice
• Red cabbage
• Shredded lettuce 
• Roma tomatoes
• Pico de gallo 
• Feta cheese
• Colby jack cheese
• Avocado 

Making Keto Blackened Shrimp Tacos

If you're trying to keep things more low carb and keto friendly when you make this blackened shrimp recipe, you can make keto tacos a few different ways with it! 

My favorite way is using a lettuce wrap in place of a tortilla shell - you can fill the lettuce wrap with your favorite keto-friendly ingredients like avocado, cheese, and sour cream for a classic taco experience. 

Another option is making a burrito bowl - cauliflower rice can be used as the base, then you can top the rice off with your blackened shrimp and ingredients of your choice. 

But, if you want to make traditional keto tacos, you can whip up these keto tortillas with only 6 ingredients!

Having all these taco options is the reason this is one of my favorite keto shrimp recipes. 

What Is The Best Shrimp To use For Blackened Shrimp 

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.

So, if you do that, you'll have shrimp on-hand to make some more shrimp recipes:

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

But 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 two 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! 

And the cooking process for this blackened shrimp 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.

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 flavors from the seasoning mixture. 

Step 2: Cooking the Shrimp

Ok, so, once it is close to 30 minutes, heat a 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 your 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 your 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 two 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. 

Oh, and if you want some more easy and flavorful shrimp recipes, give this general tso shrimp and sweet & sour shrimp a try next!

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