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 them. 

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.  

Oh, and speaking of blackened seasoning, if you want a just as easy and delicious recipe with the same spice blend, 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 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 for the blackened seasoning:

• ¾ pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika (or cayenne pepper powder)
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar (or brown 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."

Now, I love using this blackened shrimp to add to this hibachi fried rice, so you'll want to check out what you need for that recipe!

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.

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 and make some delicious blackened shrimp! As I mentioned earlier, the cooking process for this easy shrimp 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 easy shrimp recipe so you can serve blackened shrimp!

Step 1: Prepare The Shrimp

To start, you are going to mix all the blackening seasoning blend ingredients in a medium bowl. That would be your garlic powder, chili powder, paprika (or cayenne pepper), sugar (or brown sugar), oregano, salt, and pepper.  

Next, add your shrimp to the mixing bowl with the spice blend in it and stir until you generously coat each piece. Set the bowl aside and let the shrimp marinate for 30 minutes in the homemade blackening seasoning - this will allow the shrimp to soak up all of the delicious flavors from the seasoning mixture. 

Step 2: Cook 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 olive oil. That said, if you prefer a crispy, darker crust on your shrimp, you can crank the heat up to high heat. 

Anyway, as soon as the olive oil heats up, you can add the seasoned shrimp to the hot 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. 

Now 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 and make sure to toss shrimp in the garlic.

Step 3: Serve The Cooked Shrimp

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 blacken shrimp to your favorite pasta or salad! 

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

How To Store Blackened Shrimp

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!

Then if you have any leftovers, you can store the cooked shrimp in an airtight container, and it will last in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 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. 

How To Reheat Cooked shrimp 

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

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 into 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 to cook shrimp 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 

 

Well, that is how to make the best blackened shrimp recipe!

I know I'm biased, but I really don't think any other recipe comes close to this one. It's just so simple to make, yet so delicious! I love making this easy blackened shrimp 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. 

More Shrimp Recipes

If you're looking for more delicious recipes with shrimp, we have a ton on the blog that you can try next!

Check all of these out:

• Shrimp casserole
• Shrimp pasta
• Shrimp soup
• Beer battered shrimp
• Olive Garden shrimp alfredo
• Chicken and shrimp carbonara

Oh, and as always, make sure to check us out on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube! We post new recipes on them every day.