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Flavorful Grilled Shrimp Skewers Recipe with Spicy Cajun Butter

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Quick, bold, and addictive grilled shrimp skewers with a smoky, spicy, buttery Cajun butter perfect for BBQs and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tail-on for better handling)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Wooden or metal skewers (if using wooden, soak in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional: a dash of hot sauce for extra heat

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until evenly mixed.
  3. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss until each piece is well-coated with the seasoning mixture. Let it marinate for 10-15 minutes if time allows.
  4. Thread 4 to 5 shrimp onto each skewer, leaving a little space between each piece.
  5. In a small saucepan over low heat or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Stir in minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and optional hot sauce. Mix until combined and fragrant. Set aside but keep warm.
  6. Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high (around 400°F/200°C). Clean and lightly oil the grates.
  7. Place skewers on the hot grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp are opaque and pink with grill marks.
  8. During the last minute of grilling, brush the shrimp generously with the spicy Cajun butter.
  9. Transfer skewers to a platter, drizzle any remaining spicy Cajun butter on top, and garnish with fresh lemon wedges and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Avoid overcooking shrimp as they cook quickly and become rubbery. Baste with spicy Cajun butter during the last minute to avoid flare-ups. For dairy-free option, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled shrimp skewers, Cajun butter, spicy shrimp, BBQ shrimp, seafood skewers, quick shrimp recipe