This Steak in Creamy Cajun Shrimp Sauce is the ultimate surf and turf recipe, combining juicy pan-seared steak with tender shrimp in a rich, spicy Cajun cream sauce. It’s indulgent, restaurant-quality, and surprisingly easy to make at home for a special dinner or weekend treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect surf and turf combination with bold Cajun flavor
- Creamy, savory sauce that pairs beautifully with steak
- Ready in under 40 minutes
- One-pan recipe with impressive presentation
- Family-friendly with adjustable spice level
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 pound beef steak (strip loin, ribeye, or filet mignon)
- Cajun seasoning, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- ¼ cup chicken broth (halal-friendly, alcohol-free)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
- ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Season the steak generously with Cajun seasoning and sear until browned on both sides and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, then cook shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side until just pink. Remove and set aside.
- Add garlic to the pan and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits.
- Stir in heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 1 minute.
- Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Finish with lemon juice, parsley, and shrimp. Spoon the creamy Cajun shrimp sauce over the steaks and serve immediately.
Tips & Tricks
- Let steak rest 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy
- Use heavy cream for best sauce thickness
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to control heat
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother than pre-shredded
Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-seared
- Cuisine: American, Cajun-inspired
- Difficulty: Easy–Intermediate
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, gluten-free
Notes
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta
- Swap shrimp with scallops if desired
- Add mushrooms for extra depth
Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 610
- Protein: 45 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fat: 45 g
FAQ
What steak cut works best?
Ribeye for richness, filet mignon for tenderness, or strip loin for balance.
Can I make this less spicy?
Yes, reduce Cajun seasoning and skip cayenne-heavy blends.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
Does this reheat well?
Gently reheat on low heat to prevent sauce separation.
Can I make it ahead?
The sauce can be made ahead, but cook steak fresh for best results.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers up to 2 days in an airtight container
- Freezer: Not recommended due to cream sauce
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat
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Steak in Creamy Cajun Shrimp Sauce (Surf and Turf)
Juicy steak topped with creamy Cajun shrimp sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 pound beef steak strip loin, ribeye, or filet mignon
- Cajun seasoning to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces shrimp peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- ¼ cup chicken broth halal-friendly, alcohol-free
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning or to taste
- ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Season the steak generously with Cajun seasoning and sear until browned on both sides and cooked to your desired doneness. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, then cook shrimp for 1–2 minutes per side until just pink. Remove and set aside.
- Add garlic to the pan and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits.
- Stir in heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 1 minute.
- Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
- Finish with lemon juice, parsley, and shrimp. Spoon the creamy Cajun shrimp sauce over the steaks and serve immediately.
Notes
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta
Conclusion
This Steak in Creamy Cajun Shrimp Sauce delivers bold flavor, creamy richness, and an elegant surf and turf experience right from your kitchen. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels indulgent without being complicated.