Description
Quick weeknight meal with bold, spicy-sweet flavors. Tail-on shrimp are massaged with homemade Cajun seasoning and grilled to golden perfection, balanced by fresh lemon juice. Serve with grilled peppers, rice, or crusty bread for a complete dish.
Ingredients
Large tail-on shrimp (1 pound), deveined
Extra-virgin olive oil (1 tablespoon), or avocado oil
Homemade Cajun seasoning (1 tablespoon), or store-bought
1 large lemon, quartered (use lime for a tangy variation)
Optional: 1 cup grilled vegetable skewers of bell peppers or onions
Instructions
Thaw shrimp in refrigerator overnight (3-8 hours)
Pat shrimp dry with paper towels to remove moisture
In a bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil and Cajun seasoning
Hand-massage spices evenly into shells and tails until well coated
Preheat grill to 375-450°F (190-230°C)
Oil grates by dipping a paper towel in oil and running it across the heat
Place shrimp perpendicular to grate bars for even cooking
Rotate every 30 seconds to develop golden char marks
Cook 1-2 minutes per side until shrimp turn bright pink
Quarter the lemon, squeeze juice over hot shrimp, and serve with grilled veggies if desired
Notes
Use 26-30 count shrimp for optimal thickness
Avoid overcrowding the grill for perfect sear marks
If using store-bought seasoning, check for salt content and adjust
Patting dry intensifies shell charring, as shell cracks won’t form
Avocado oil is ideal for high-heat grilling
This works on indoor grills or stovetop griddle
Leftovers keep in airtight container for 2-3 days
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 shrimp dish
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 150mg