EASY Cajun Shrimp Scampi
It’s quick, easy, delicious, and packed with flavor! This Easy Cajun Shrimp Scampi is a classic turned up a notch! These buttery and spicy shrimp will have your mouth watering from beginning to end.
Flavor Kicked Up a Few Notches!
Let’s talk flavor, y’all! I love a good recipe that challenges me. But, sometimes, the most flavorful recipes have the simplest ingredients. Those easy-to-use fresh ingredients usually shine through the most in any recipe!
My Easy Cajun Shrimp Scampi is full of fresh flavors with just the right amount of spice. It takes the traditional recipe up a few notches! Trust me, after one taste, you’ll want this appetizer as a full meal!
Tips for Making the Best Shrimp Scampi
I love making this recipe because it’s quick, simple, and easy. Plus, it has one of my favorite ingredients, BUTTER! Here are just a few Tips & Tricks that will help make your shrimp scampi even better:
Use a GOOD Quality White Wine. I love using white wine in seafood and light fish dishes! It adds so much extra flavor to the dish overall. I suggest using a dry acidic white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or an Unoaked Chardonnay
Use ALL Fresh Ingredients. I love a good recipe short-cut, but this recipe tastes the best when all fresh ingredients are used. You will be able to taste the difference if you use bottled lemon juice or jarred minced garlic.
If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them completely in the refrigerator overnight or under cold running water. Make sure to pat-dry them as much as possible so there will not be any excess water in the scampi.
Cajun Shrimp Scampi Ingredients:
Okay now, let’s talk ingredients! These ingredients are very easy to find and use! Plus, the only expensive ingredients are the shrimp and the white wine.
Shrimp: During the spring and summer months, fish and seafood are two of my go-to proteins. They are light and take on whatever flavors you add to them. I suggest using extra-large or jumbo shrimp for this recipe. Leave the tails on or off, it is all up to you!
EVOO: Use a little extra virgin olive oil to drizzle over the shrimp before seasoning them. The seasoning has always stuck better to the shrimp when I do this beforehand. Don’t get crazy with the oil though.
Cajun Seasoning: You can’t have a Cajun Shrimp Scampi recipe without some type of Cajun seasoning! I like making my own seasoning blends. But, sometimes, I just don’t have the time. I suggest using your favorite Cajun seasoning brand.
Onion & Garlic Powder: I put onion and garlic powder in almost everything that I make! They add just the right amount of seasoning and flavor to any dish. You’ll only need a small amount of both to season the shrimp.
Butter: The butter is what makes this recipe delicious! I personally suggest using unsalted butter since there are other salt-based ingredients in the recipe. Plus, you can add more at the end if you choose to do so.
Fresh Garlic: As I said before, using fresh ingredients will make this recipe taste even better! The fresh garlic paired with the wine butter sauce is out of this world. Plus, you only need 2 tablespoons total!
Tomato Paste: To add some additional color and body, I added a tablespoon of tomato paste to the sauce. The paste also helped to thicken the sauce.
Dry White Wine: Wine and butter mixture to make a sauce is a match made in heaven! The wine adds some bright acidity to the dish which helps to cut some of the spices.
Fresh Lemon: I used both lemon juice and zest in this recipe. Any time lemon or any type of acid is added to a seafood dish, it is bound to be good. This especially applies to lighter and flakier fish.
Cayenne Pepper & Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: I used both cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes for some additional heat. The flakes also helped to make the dish even more eye-catching.
Kosher Salt & Ground Black Pepper: A small amount of both kosher salt and ground black pepper were used in this recipe for some additional seasoning. You can season to taste at the end if you choose to.
Fresh Parsley: The fresh parsley added at the end made this dish pop! Even though parsley doesn’t contribute to the overall flavor at all, it makes it look fresh and appetizing. Make sure to go for the fresh and not the dry.
How to Make Easy Cajun Shrimp Scampi:
This meal will not take you long at all! It’s crazy how simple this recipe actually is! But, the flavor packs a serious punch! Not only is it easier to understand, but it’s also a multi-use recipe.
The full written recipe is below, but here’s an overview.
STEP 1: Season the Shrimp. In a large bowl, toss the shrimp in extra virgin olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning. Set aside for later use.
STEP 2: Sauté the Garlic & Tomato Paste in Butter. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and tomato paste. Sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant.
STEP 3: Finish making the Sauce. Add the white wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and reduce by ½ (about 2 minutes).
STEP 4: Add the Shrimp. Add the shrimp into the pan and cook until the shrimp turn pink. Taste and season with additional kosher salt and ground black pepper. Mix in the chopped parsley and serve!
Can I Make these Tacos Ahead of time?
I personally wouldn’t suggest making the entire recipe ahead of time. Shrimp take no time to cook at all. Plus, shrimp tend to get rubbery after a day or two of sitting and being reheated.
However, you can prep the recipe the night or day beforehand. That way, you’ll just have to worry about cooking.
This Easy Shrimp Scampi is a great starter recipe for all of my new cooks out there! Here are some other great appetizer recipes that I’m sure you’d love to give a try:
I’d love to hear your feedback about this EASY Cajun Shrimp Scampi Recipe! Leave me a message in the comments section below. Remember to share and enjoy! Follow Be Greedy Eats on Pinterest and Instagram as well!
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