Ella Walter
Blackened shrimp is a quick and easy meal that can be made in under 20 minutes. It is a spicy dish with bold flavours, commonly associated with Cajun cuisine. The blackening cooking process involves coating shrimp in butter and a spice blend, then pan-searing it in a preheated pan at a high temperature. The shrimp are cooked for only a few minutes on each side, making this a fast weeknight meal. Blackened shrimp can be served in many ways, including in tacos, lettuce wraps, pasta, rice, or on their own.
How to Blacken Shrimp in a Pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking Style | Cajun |
| Spices | Cumin, chili powder, paprika, corriander, garlic powder, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, onion powder, black pepper, salt |
| Herbs | Thyme, Marjoram |
| Other Ingredients | Olive oil, avocado oil, butter, lime, cilantro, garlic |
| Shrimp Size | Jumbo, Extra-large, Large |
| Shrimp Type | Fresh, Frozen |
| Shrimp Prep | Devein, Peel, Remove Tails, Thaw, Rinse, Pat Dry, Coat in Spice Mix, Marinate |
| Pan Type | Cast iron skillet, Non-stick skillet |
| Pan Prep | Coat in oil, Heat to medium-high or high |
| Cooking Time | 2 minutes per side, 4-6 minutes total |
| Serving Suggestions | Tacos, Lettuce wraps, Pasta, Rice, Salad, Nachos, Soup, Quesadillas, Po'boys, Caesar Salad |
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What You'll Learn
Use a cast iron skillet
To make blackened shrimp in a cast iron skillet, start by preparing your shrimp. If frozen, place the shrimp in a colander and rinse them with cold water for about a minute. Then, drain them and lay them out on a paper towel-lined plate to pat them dry.
Next, prepare your blackening seasoning. In a small bowl, mix together your chosen spices. A typical blackening spice mix includes cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. You can adjust the heat to your preference by adding more or less cayenne pepper. If you prefer a milder spice level, you can omit the cayenne pepper and use chili powder instead for a mild heat. You can also add brown sugar to the mix, which will caramelize when it hits the pan and help the spices cling to the shrimp.
Once you have prepared your shrimp and seasoning, it's time to heat your cast iron skillet. Place the skillet on the stove and turn the heat up to medium-high. Add a couple of tablespoons of butter or oil to the pan. You can use unsalted butter, olive oil, or avocado oil. If using butter, melt it first so that it coats the bottom of the pan.
Now it's time to cook the shrimp. Place the shrimp in the pan in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes on each side, or until they turn from translucent to opaque and the blackening seasoning forms a dark, flavorful crust. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become rubbery.
Once the shrimp are cooked to your liking, remove them from the heat and serve immediately. You can garnish with chopped herbs like cilantro or parsley, and a splash of lime juice. Blackened shrimp go well with many different dishes, such as tacos, lettuce wraps, pasta, rice, or salad. Enjoy!
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Prepare the shrimp
Preparing the shrimp is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Firstly, if your shrimp is frozen, place it in a colander and rinse with cold water for about a minute. Then, drain the shrimp and pat them dry with paper towels. This step is important as removing excess moisture helps the spice blend adhere better, ensuring more flavourful and evenly cooked shrimp.
Next, prepare your blackening seasoning by mixing your chosen spices in a small bowl. The specific spices you use are up to you, but typical options include cumin, chilli powder or cayenne pepper, paprika, dried thyme, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You can also add brown sugar to help the spices caramelise and form a crispy crust.
Once your spice blend is ready, it's time to coat the shrimp. Place the shrimp in a large shallow dish and drizzle them with a little oil or melted butter. Then, sprinkle the spice mix over the shrimp, turning them to ensure an even coating. Leave the shrimp to marinate for around 30 minutes so they can soak up all the flavours.
Finally, heat your skillet to a medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of oil or butter. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer in the pan, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, as this can cause the shrimp to steam rather than sear. With these simple steps, your shrimp are now prepared and ready to be cooked to perfection!
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Make the spice mix
To make the spice mix for blackened shrimp, you will need a combination of spices. The exact spices you use can be adjusted based on your preferences, but a typical spice mix includes:
- Cumin, which gives the dish a slightly smoky taste
- Cayenne pepper, which adds a spicy kick
- Salt, to enhance the other flavours
- Black pepper, for a noticeable heat
- Dried thyme, which adds a grassy, herbal flavour
- Dried oregano, for an earthy, pungent aroma and taste
- Garlic powder, for a concentrated garlic flavour
- Onion powder, for a sweet onion taste
- Paprika, which adds sweetness and colour
- Chili powder, for a mild heat and depth of flavour
You can also add brown sugar, which will help the spice mixture cling to the shrimp and get crispy. Alternatively, you can use olive oil to help the spices stick.
To make the spice mix, simply add the desired spices to a small bowl and use a whisk to combine them. If you want to make the blend spicier, you can add an extra pinch of cayenne pepper.
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Cooking the shrimp
Blackened shrimp is a Cajun-style dish that involves coating fresh shrimp with a blackening spice blend and then searing them in a hot skillet on the stove until the spices form a dark, flavorful crust on the outside.
To cook the shrimp, first, mix your blackening seasoning in a small bowl. You can use a combination of spices such as cumin, chili powder or chipotle powder, paprika, coriander, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried basil, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. You can adjust the heat to your preference by adding more or less chili powder and cayenne pepper.
Next, coat the shrimp generously with the spice mix and let them marinate for about 30 minutes to absorb the flavors. You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, but make sure to pat them dry before adding the seasoning to ensure a more flavorful and evenly cooked result.
Heat a cast iron skillet or non-stick skillet to medium-high or high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil, avocado oil, or butter to the pan. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until they turn from translucent to opaque and the seasoning forms a crust. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, as this can cause the shrimp to steam instead of sear.
Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the heat and serve immediately. You can garnish with chopped parsley and a splash of lime juice, or serve with remoulade sauce, lemon butter sauce, or garlic aioli.
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Serving suggestions
Blackened shrimp is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions:
Tacos
Blackened shrimp tacos are a delicious and easy option. Simply cook the shrimp as described and serve them in corn or flour tortillas with your favourite taco toppings. You can also use them as the main protein in tacos dorados or stuff them into a pupusa.
Lettuce Wraps
For a low-carb option, serve the blackened shrimp in lettuce wraps. This makes for a light and refreshing meal, perfect for lunch or dinner.
Rice or Pasta
Blackened shrimp goes well with rice or pasta. You can serve it on top of a bed of rice or mix it into your favourite pasta dish. It can also be served with cauliflower fried rice or curry fried rice for a more flavourful option.
Salad
Blackened shrimp can be a great addition to a salad. Try adding it to a pasta salad or a hearty grain salad, such as a rice salad. You can also serve it with a side of vegetables, such as air fryer broccoli or zucchini, for a balanced meal.
Appetizer
Blackened shrimp can also be served as an appetizer or starter. Enjoy them on their own, or serve them with a dipping sauce such as garlic butter or a spicy mayo.
Other Suggestions
Blackened shrimp is a versatile dish that can be served in many other ways. Try it in a wrap, on a bed of greens, or even in a soup. You can also use it as a topping for pizzas or flatbreads. Get creative and experiment with different combinations!
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