Blackened Shrimp

Name: Blackened Shrimp Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon pepper; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon dried basil; ¼ teaspoon dried oregano; ⅛ teapoon dried thyme; 1 ½ pounds shrimp (uncooked, peeled and deveined); 2 tablespoons blackened seasoning (premixed or use amounts listed above); 1 tablespoon olive oil

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This Blackened Shrimp is full of zesty flavors perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ready in just 10 minutes from start to finish! Serve with your favorite rice or add to a dinner salad.

Quick and easy blackened shrimp

Blackened shrimp seems so elegant and it is! But it's also one of the easiest dishes you'll ever make!

Seriously, all you need to do is toss some blackening seasoning on the shrimp and then plop the shrimp into a hot pan.

Because it's so quick and easy, this makes a perfect weeknight meal or when you have unexpected guests show up for dinner.

I've premixed a container of blackening seasoning to keep in my cupboard. It makes this dish even easier. But don't worry if you haven't premixed any. This is still easy peasy and just as fast to make.

Once you've tried blackening seasoning, you'll want to use it on everything! Try it on this easy Walleye with Blackening Seasoning or in this Blackened Chicken Alfredo

Key ingredients

Raw shrimp on a plate with a spoonful of seasoning next to the shrimp.

This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.

Shrimp - Use raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp. You can use tails on or tails off. You'll need about 1 ½ pounds of shrimp.
- Shrimp are classified by the number of shrimp you can get in a pound and it's usually listed as a range. 26/30 means you'll get between 26 and 30 shrimp per pound. The smaller the numbers, the larger the shrimp.
Blackening Seasoning - A premixed seasoning can be used or combined with just the amount you need for this recipe.

Making blackened shrimp

In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.

Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel
Sprinkle the blackening seasoning over the shrimp. Toss to coat so the shrimp is well covered.

Heat a cast iron skillet until hot, but not smoking
Add oil and wait until it begins shimmering then add shrimp
Cook in a single layer for 1-2 minutes and flip

Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes and remove from heat
Top with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish
Serve hot

To use frozen shrimp

One of the great things about this dish, is you don't have to pre-plan anything at all. I often keep a bag of frozen shrimp in my freezer and it's perfect for using in this recipe.

Just pull out the shrimp and place them in a large bowl. Fill with cold water and let sit until thawed. This will take about 10-20 minutes. Don't use warm water or it will change the texture of the shrimp.

Recipe tips

The shrimp cooks very quickly. Have everything else for your meal ready to go.
Make certain to pat your fish dry. This helps ensure that nice slightly charred surface.
Use a hot cast iron skillet or a hot heavy-duty stainless steel skillet
As soon as you add the shrimp, distribute it so the shrimp is in a single layer
The shrimp only takes 1-2 minutes per side. Time will vary depending on your shrimp and your pan.
To flip the shrimp, I use a pair of tongs and turn each one individually
If making a larger batch of shrimp, you will want to cook it in two pans or in two separate batches. You don't want an overcrowded pan.