Name: New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; ¾ teaspoon salt; 2 pounds extra-large or jumbo shrimp (peeled and deveined); 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 large garlic cloves (minced); 2 tablespoons halal-certified Worcestershire sauce; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 tablespoons water; 3 scallions (dark green parts thinly sliced)

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This New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe delivers everything you want from a Louisiana-inspired seafood dinner: plump shrimp, warm Cajun spices, plenty of garlic, fresh lemon, and a glossy butter sauce made for soaking up with bread. Despite the name, New Orleans BBQ shrimp is traditionally cooked in a skillet rather than on an outdoor grill.

The result is rich, savory, slightly smoky, and wonderfully aromatic. It works just as well for an easy weeknight meal as it does for a relaxed family dinner or special gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Cajun shrimp recipe packs a surprising amount of flavor into a short ingredient list. Paprika, ancho chile powder, cumin, garlic, lemon, and Worcestershire sauce create layers of smoky, tangy, buttery flavor without requiring a complicated marinade.

It is also wonderfully quick. Jumbo shrimp need only a few minutes in the skillet, so the entire garlic butter shrimp dinner can be ready in about 20 minutes. Serve it with crusty bread, rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad for a satisfying family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

New Orleans BBQ shrimp served in a skillet with a rich garlic butter Cajun sauce. Jumbo shrimp are coated with paprika, spices, fresh lemon, and sliced scallions. — Easy New Orleans shrimp coated in a savory, buttery skillet sauce.

1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
2 pounds extra-large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 large garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons halal-certified Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons water
3 scallions, dark green parts thinly sliced

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the paprika, ancho chile powder, cumin, sugar, and salt.
Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Add them to the seasoning mixture and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
Melt the butter in a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 to 60 seconds, stirring frequently. Keep the heat moderate so the garlic becomes fragrant without browning.
Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet. Cook over medium heat for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring and turning the shrimp occasionally. They should be beginning to turn pink but not completely cooked through.
Pour in the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and water. Stir everything together so the seasoned butter forms a glossy sauce around the shrimp.
Continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes, or just until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through. Avoid cooking them longer than necessary so they stay juicy and tender.
Sprinkle the sliced scallions over the top. Serve this New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe immediately while the garlic butter Cajun sauce is hot.

Juicy garlic butter shrimp cooked with Cajun spices and lemon for an easy New Orleans BBQ shrimp recipe. The shrimp are finished with scallions in a glossy Louisiana-style butter sauce. — Louisiana-style shrimp with garlic, lemon, butter, and warm spices.

Tips & Tricks

Use extra-large or jumbo shrimp whenever possible. Larger shrimp stay plump and juicy more easily than very small shrimp and are especially good at holding onto the buttery Cajun sauce.

Pat thawed shrimp thoroughly dry before seasoning them. Excess moisture can dilute the spices and make the sauce thinner.

Garlic cooks quickly in butter, so keep it moving and do not let it become dark brown. Burned garlic can give the entire sauce a bitter flavor.

For a hotter spicy shrimp recipe, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra ancho chile powder. If you are serving children or anyone sensitive to heat, keep the original amount of chile powder.

Choose Worcestershire sauce labeled halal-certified when following a halal diet. Different brands can use different ingredients, so checking the label is the easiest way to keep the recipe suitable for your needs.

Do not overcook the shrimp. Remove them from the heat as soon as they become opaque and curl gently into a C shape.

For an extra saucy Louisiana shrimp recipe, add another tablespoon or two of butter at the end and swirl it through the hot skillet.

Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: New Orleans, Cajun-Inspired, Louisiana
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Notes: Seafood, pork-free, alcohol-free, halal-friendly when prepared with halal-certified Worcestershire sauce

Spicy New Orleans shrimp in a warm garlic butter sauce with Cajun seasoning and fresh scallions. The jumbo shrimp are tender, glossy, and ready to serve with bread or rice. — New Orleans BBQ shrimp in a rich garlic butter Cajun sauce.

Notes

For a little extra brightness, finish the shrimp with additional fresh lemon juice just before serving.

If ancho chile powder is unavailable, mild chili powder can be used, although the flavor will be slightly different.

Fresh parsley can replace or complement the scallions.

Serve the shrimp with crusty bread to soak up the garlic butter sauce. Steamed white rice, Cajun rice, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or pasta also work beautifully.

If you prefer shrimp with the shells on, you can use shell-on shrimp for even more seafood flavor, although peeled shrimp are easier to serve and eat.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per serving:

Calories: 330
Protein: 32 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g
Fat: 21 g

Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the shrimp, butter, Worcestershire sauce, and serving size used.

FAQ

What is New Orleans BBQ shrimp?

New Orleans BBQ shrimp is a Louisiana-style shrimp dish traditionally cooked in a skillet with butter, garlic, spices, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon. Despite its name, it usually is not prepared with barbecue sauce or cooked on a grill.

Is New Orleans BBQ shrimp very spicy?

Not necessarily. This version has warm Cajun-style flavor from paprika and ancho chile powder without overwhelming heat. You can add cayenne pepper if you want a spicier result.

What kind of shrimp should I use?

Extra-large or jumbo shrimp work especially well because they remain juicy during the quick skillet cooking process. Fresh or frozen shrimp can both be used as long as frozen shrimp are completely thawed first.

What should I serve with Cajun shrimp?

Crusty bread is one of the best choices because it absorbs the garlic butter sauce. Rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, corn, and green salad are also excellent sides.

Can I make this garlic butter shrimp without Worcestershire sauce?

Yes. For a different flavor profile, try a mixture of halal-certified soy sauce, a small splash of vinegar, and a touch of molasses or brown sugar. The finished sauce will not taste exactly the same, but it will still be savory and delicious.

Can I make this New Orleans shrimp recipe ahead of time?

It is best cooked shortly before serving because shrimp can become rubbery after repeated heating. You can, however, mix the dry seasonings and prepare the garlic and scallions ahead of time.

Storage

Store leftover shrimp and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

For reheating, place the shrimp and sauce in a skillet over low heat and warm gently just until heated through. A splash of water or broth can help loosen the butter sauce. Avoid high heat because it can make the shrimp tough.

Freezing cooked shrimp is possible, but the texture may become firmer after thawing. For the best quality, freeze the cooled shrimp and sauce in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating.

Close-up of Louisiana shrimp coated in buttery garlic sauce with paprika, ancho chile, lemon, and green onions. This easy Cajun shrimp recipe is cooked quickly in one skillet. — Juicy Cajun garlic butter shrimp ready in about 20 minutes.

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