Easy Baked Cajun Shrimp Recipe for a Spicy Weeknight Dinner

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tired of the same boring dinners? This Baked Cajun Shrimp is here to shake things up! With bold spices, juicy shrimp, and a ridiculously easy prep, this recipe is a total weeknight winner.

Why is it so great?

Quick & Easy: From fridge to fork in under 30 minutes. Need we say more?
Flavor Packed: Cajun seasoning brings the heat—and plenty of personality. It’s zesty, smoky, and downright addictive.
Minimal Cleanup: One pan, one bowl, one happy cook.
Versatile: Serve it with rice, pasta, salad—or tuck it into tacos. Your choice!
Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: Adjust the spice to fit your family’s taste buds.

This is the kind of recipe you’ll make once and then crave weekly. Shrimp never looked (or tasted) so good.

Essential Tools and Equipment

Before you dive into cooking, make sure you have these on hand:

Large Mixing Bowl: For marinating the shrimp evenly.
Rimmed Baking Sheet or Oven-Safe Dish: To keep the juices contained while baking.
Measuring Spoons: Accuracy matters with spices!
Whisk or Fork: To mix your Cajun butter.
Spatula or Tongs: For tossing the shrimp before and after baking.
Aluminum Foil or Parchment Paper (optional): For easy cleanup.

No fancy tools needed—just the kitchen basics.

Preparation Tips

Want restaurant-quality shrimp straight from your oven? Keep these handy tips in mind:

Use Fresh or Thawed Shrimp: Frozen is fine, but make sure it’s fully thawed and patted dry.
Peeled and Deveined: Save yourself time (and stress) by buying shrimp that’s already cleaned.
Preheat Your Oven: A hot oven ensures the shrimp cook evenly without becoming rubbery.
Don’t Skip the Marinating Time (even if it’s short): Even 10–15 minutes can mean more flavor.
Dry Your Shrimp Before Marinating: Excess water can lead to a runny sauce.

Bonus Do-Ahead Tip: You can prep the Cajun butter and marinate the shrimp a few hours ahead. Just keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.

Ingredients List

Here’s everything you’ll need for this flavorful, spicy shrimp dish:

1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on or off depending on preference)
1 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp melted butter
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat level)
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh is best)
Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)
Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

Note: Can’t find Cajun seasoning? No worries—this recipe builds its own from scratch, so you don’t need pre-mixed seasoning.

Step-by-Step Directions

Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps:

Preheat your oven: Set it to 400°F (200°C). Line your baking tray with foil or parchment if you’d like easy cleanup.
Make the Cajun butter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and all the dry spices (paprika through salt).
Toss the shrimp: Add your shrimp to the bowl with the Cajun butter. Toss until every shrimp is coated in flavor.
Arrange on a baking sheet: Spread shrimp out in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd—the shrimp should lie flat in contact with the heat.
Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 8–10 minutes. Shrimp should be pink, firm, and slightly curled.
Broil for a finish (optional): Want some charred bits? Broil on high for 1–2 minutes max.
Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Your kitchen should smell amazing right about now.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s steer clear of kitchen pitfalls:

Overcooking: Shrimp cook FAST. Leave them too long and they’ll get rubbery. Bake just until pink and curled.
Using wet shrimp: Excess water = diluted flavor. Pat dry before seasoning.
Not enough seasoning: Shrimp have a mild flavor on their own. Don’t skimp on that Cajun blend!
Crowding the pan: A cramped baking sheet will steam the shrimp instead of roasting them.
Skipping the lemon: A splash of acid brightens the whole dish. Don’t miss it!

Best Side Dishes

Looking for the perfect partner for your Cajun shrimp? Here are some tried-and-true favorites:

Garlic Butter Rice: Soaks up the delicious juices and adds buttery comfort.
Creamy Coleslaw: A cool, crunchy contrast to the heat of the shrimp.
Roasted Corn on the Cob: Classic Southern flair that matches the spice perfectly.
Cajun Pasta: Toss the shrimp over a bed of creamy Alfredo or spiced tomato pasta for a full-on flavor bomb.

Mix and match depending on your mood!

Expert Recipe Tips

Take your baked shrimp to the next level:

Add a bit of brown sugar: Balances the spice and gives you a hint of caramelization during baking.
Want less heat? Use sweet paprika instead of smoked, and reduce (or skip) the cayenne.
Taco Night? Totally: Serve in warm tortillas with slaw and avocado crema for a zesty Cajun twist.
Make it a bowl: Layer rice, sautéed peppers, and your baked shrimp for a simple Cajun rice bowl.

Feeling creative? Swap shrimp for scallops or thin strips of chicken if that’s more your thing.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftovers (lucky you)? Here’s what to do:

Storage: Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Gently warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth. Microwave works too—about 30 seconds at a time to avoid overcooking.
Freezing: Not recommended. Shrimp texture tends to suffer after freezing and reheating.

Tip: Use leftover shrimp in tacos, atop salads, or mixed into pasta the next day!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What kind of shrimp should I buy?

Look for large or extra-large shrimp that are peeled and deveined. Wild-caught tends to have more flavor than farmed. Fresh or frozen (and thawed) both work well.

Can I use pre-mixed Cajun seasoning?

Absolutely! Just replace the dry spices with 2 to 3 teaspoons of your favorite Cajun blend. Just check the salt content—some mixes are very salty.

Can I cook this in an air fryer?

Yes! Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook shrimp in a single layer for 7–9 minutes, shaking halfway through. Easy peasy!

Is this dish very spicy?

That depends on how much cayenne you add. Start with ¼ to ½ teaspoon if you’re spice-shy. You can always sprinkle more afterward!

What if I don’t eat shrimp?

No problem! This seasoning mix tastes great on chicken, salmon, tofu—even roasted veggies.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—a no-fuss, flavor-packed Baked Cajun Shrimp Recipe that makes any weeknight feel special. Whether you’re cooking for one, two, or a small crowd, this dish always delivers bold taste without the hassle.

Why not give it a try tonight? If you do, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop a comment below or tag your creation on social media—I’m always excited to see your kitchen magic.

Hungry for more easy dinner ideas? Check out our recipes for:

Until next time, happy cooking and stay spicy! 🌶️🍤

— The Recipes Lady ❤️