If you’re craving something rich, spicy, and full of flavor, this Spicy Cajun Shrimp Sauce is the perfect answer. Quickly seared shrimp bathe in a creamy, garlicky Cajun-spiced sauce that’s quick to make and packed with bold flavor.
It’s an easy seafood dish that’s perfect for spooning over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. The shrimp sauce is comforting, satisfying, and ready in about 20 minutes.
Why You Will Love This Cajun Shrimp Recipe
- Bold Cajun Flavor: This easy shrimp recipe uses Cajun seasoning in layers to build a rich, smoky heat that’s not overpowering, just delicious.
- Creamy and Comforting: With heavy cream and butter, this spicy Cajun shrimp sauce is luxuriously smooth.
- Quick and Easy: It takes less than 20 minutes to make from start to finish, making this shrimp recipe ideal for busy weeknights.
- Customizable Heat Level: Add more, or less, Cajun seasoning to suit your taste.
- Pairs Well with Everything: Serve this spicy shrimp sauce over rice, with pasta or mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a warm slice of crusty bread.
Ingredients
- Shrimp: Substitute with scallops, diced chicken breast, firm white fish like cod, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Cajun seasoning: Substitute with Creole seasoning, blackened seasoning, or a homemade blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme.
- Butter: Substitute with olive oil or plant-based butter for a dairy-free option.
- Garlic: Substitute with garlic paste or garlic powder (use less if using powder).
- Tomato paste: Substitute with tomato sauce or finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a deeper flavor.
- Chicken stock or white wine: Substitute with seafood stock, or vegetable broth.
- Heavy whipping cream: Substitute with half-and-half for a lighter version, or use full-fat coconut milk or plant-based cream to make it dairy-free.
- Fresh parsley: Substitute with dried parsley or fresh basil.
How to Prepare Spicy Cajun Shrimp Sauce
- Add the shrimp to a bowl. Pour in the olive oil and season with the salt and two teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sear the shrimp on both sides. You are only looking to get a little color on the shrimp, not trying to fully-cook. You may have to do this in batches. As the shrimp sear, reserve them in a bowl.
- In the same pan, lower the heat to medium and start melting the butter.
- Add the minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute, allowing it to deepen in color.
- Pour in the chicken stock or white wine, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes.
- Lower heat and stir in the heavy cream and remaining Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Whisk in the lemon juice.
- Return the shrimp to the sauce, along with the fresh parsley. Cook for another minute or two, to finish cooking the shrimp.
How to Serve and Store Leftovers
Serving Suggestions
- Spoon over white rice, pasta, buttered noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes.
- Add to grits for a spicy shrimp and grits twist.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up all the sauce.
- Use as a filling for Cajun shrimp tacos or wraps.
Leftovers
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently over low heat to avoid overcooking the shrimp.
- Not freezer-friendly due to the cream-based sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes! Just make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture in the pan.
- Is this sauce very spicy? The sauce has a moderate kick from the Cajun seasoning, but you can adjust the heat by using more or less seasoning, or choosing a milder blend.
- Can I make this dairy-free? You can try using full-fat coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative in place of the heavy cream, but it will slightly change the flavor and texture.
- What can I use instead of chicken stock or wine? You can use seafood stock or vegetable broth.
- Will this sauce work with other proteins? Definitely! It pairs well with chicken, scallops, fish, or even pan-seared tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Can I make it ahead of time? The sauce can be made ahead and stored for a day, but the shrimp are best cooked fresh to avoid overcooking when reheated.
More Shrimp Recipes to Love
- Creamy Creole Salmon with Shrimp
- Grilled Shrimp Salad
- Quick Shrimp Scampi Pasta
- Poached Shrimp Cocktail
- Easy Pasta with Shrimp and Tomatoes
- Crab Stuffed Shrimp
Spicy Cajun Shrimp Sauce
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3 to 4 servings 1x
Description
This Spicy Cajun Shrimp Sauce is and easy weeknight dinner idea that is packed with garlic, rich cream, and the perfect amount of heat.
Ingredients
- 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp (fresh or thawed frozen; tail-on or off is fine)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, divided (use store-bought or homemade; adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/4 cup chicken stock or white wine
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, plus more for garnish (flat-leaf or curly works)
Instructions
- Pat the shrimp dry and add to a bowl. Pour in the olive oil and season with the salt and two teaspoons of Cajun seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sear the shrimp on both sides. You are only looking to get a little color on the shrimp, not trying to fully-cook. You may have to do this in batches. As the shrimp sear, reserve them in a bowl.
- In the same pan, lower the heat to medium and start melting the butter.
- Add the minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute, allowing it to deepen in color.
- Pour in the chicken stock or white wine, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes.
- Lower heat and stir in the heavy cream and remaining Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Whisk in the lemon juice.
- Return shrimp to the sauce, along with the fresh parsley. Cook for another minute or two, to finish cooking the shrimp.
- Spoon over steamed rice.
- Garnished with more parsley, if desired.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- If using frozen shrimp, be sure to thaw properly.
- Use peeled and deveined shrimp with either the tail on, or off.
- Quickly sear the shrimp just to add a touch of color. You are NOT trying to fully cook the shrimp. This will only take a few seconds each side.
- Sear the shrimp in batches to avoid “cooking,” instead of searing.
- Adjust the amount of seasoning to your liking. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to make the sauce extra spicy.
- Allow the sauce to slightly thicken. Use a spatula to scrape the sides as the sauce is simmering.
- Try not to overcook the shrimp once the shrimp are placed back into the sauce.
- Spoon this Cajun shrimp sauce over rice, serve with pasta or mashed potatoes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: Seafood
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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