A healthy and easy recipe for very flavorful broiled shrimp with Cajun-style seasoning. So easy and quick, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner!
These cajun broiled shrimp are so tasty. The seasoning is just wonderful – bold, savory and flavorful. (Another very flavorful shrimp recipe is this recipe for skillet sausage and shrimp).
Can you broil shrimp?
Yes, absolutely! In fact, broiling is my favorite way to cook them. And it’s an especially appropriate method for Cajun-style shrimp because the high heat really brings out their bold flavor.
I do make grilled shrimp and baked shrimp quite often, and shrimp stir fry is wonderful.
But I’m pretty sure that this is one of the shrimp recipes that I make most often for my family. It’s so flavorful and so EASY!
The ingredients you’ll need
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:
- Jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
- Olive oil
- Cajun seasoning: Kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper
How to make broiled shrimp
It’s so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:
- Season the shrimp with the remaining ingredients and toss to coat.
- Arrange them in a single layer on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.
- Broil until cooked through, about 4 minutes.
Why I use jumbo shrimp
If you use jumbo shrimp, as the recipe instructs, there’s no need to thread them on skewers. Actually, even if you use smaller shrimp you can skip the skewers.
The reason? There’s no need to turn the shrimp midway through cooking. You can simply arrange them on the baking sheet in a single layer, broil them for 4 minutes, and they’re done.
For smaller shrimp, 3 minutes is likely enough. Of course, it’s a good idea to cut one of them in half and make sure they’re done before serving them.
Is this recipe healthy?
I believe it is. Despite some possible issues, I believe that shrimp is healthy. It is high in protein, low in calories, and provides important key nutrients. But if at all possible, it’s best to buy sustainable, wild-caught, local shrimp.
Other than shrimp, this recipe simply contains olive oil and spices, which are healthy ingredients. So yes, I consider it a healthy recipe.
What to serve with broiled shrimp?
If you want to keep your meal low carb, you can serve them on a bed of mashed cauliflower or cauliflower rice.
Or you could quickly mix them and the pan juices into fresh spinach leaves – this will wilt the leaves just enough to cook them ever so lightly.
What about leftovers?
If you happen to have leftovers, keep them in the fridge, tightly covered, for no longer than three days.
These well-seasoned broiled shrimp are very tasty in a salad, or you can gently reheat them in the microwave, covered, on 50% power.
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Cajun Broiled Shrimp
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb. jumbo shrimp, 21-25 shrimp per pound, peeled and deveined, tails on
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon sea salt)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat broiler on high (450 degrees F), with an oven rack set 4 inches from heat (directly below the heating element). Line a rimmed broiler-safe baking sheet with foil.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Place in a large bowl.
- Add the olive oil, kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder and cayenne. Toss to coat.
- Arrange the seasoned shrimp in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Broil until opaque, about 4 minutes. Serve the Cajun broiled shrimp immediately.
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., has been following a healthy real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She has taken 
