10 Minute Blackened Shrimp Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you love having a lightning-fast dinner up your sleeve that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together in record time. That’s exactly what you get with these 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp: juicy shrimp tossed in smoky blackening seasoning, pan-seared to golden perfection, and ready in less time than it takes to boil a pot of pasta. Whether you’re serving them up for a busy weeknight meal, piling them over salads, or tucking them into tacos, these punchy shrimp deliver bold flavor with almost zero effort—making them a true staple in my weeknight kitchen!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These essential ingredients work together to create a dish that’s loaded with savory depth, perfect texture, and vibrant color. Every item here serves a special role, from bringing out the shrimp’s natural sweetness to building that signature blackened flavor.
- Shrimp (1 lb, peeled and deveined): Choose large or extra-large for the biggest impact—make sure they’re thawed, dry, and ready to soak up flavor.
- Blackening seasoning (1.5 tablespoons): This is the magic—look for a blend with paprika, garlic, and cayenne, or use your favorite store-bought mix for deep smoky-spicy flavor.
- Olive oil (1.5 tablespoons, divided): Adds richness and helps the spices adhere, while giving that gorgeous sear in the skillet.
How to Make 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp
Step 1: Prep Your Shrimp
First things first: make sure your shrimp are peeled, deveined, and completely dry. Any excess moisture will stop them from getting that crave-worthy crust, so give them a quick pat-down with paper towels. Toss them into a mixing bowl—you’re already halfway to dinner.
Step 2: Season and Toss
Add two teaspoons of olive oil over the shrimp, followed by the blackening seasoning. Get your hands in there and toss everything really well so every shrimp is beautifully and evenly coated. You want that spice blend clinging to every curve for max flavor!
Step 3: Heat Up the Pan
Pour the remaining olive oil into a large skillet and set it over medium-high heat. Give it a minute or so until it’s shimmering hot. This is the moment that ensures those shrimp sear quickly and get those little charred bits that make 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp so tempting.
Step 4: Sear the Shrimp
Add the shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer (don’t crowd the pan—work in batches if you need to). Let them cook for two minutes, undisturbed, so they start developing that gorgeous crust.
Step 5: Flip and Finish
Give each shrimp a flip and cook for another two minutes. As soon as the shrimp are opaque and have a deep golden sear, pull them off the heat. Taste for doneness and that’s it—you’ve just made 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp from scratch, faster than you can say “dinner’s ready!”
How to Serve 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro, a squeeze of lemon, or even some thinly sliced green onions right before serving. Not only does this brighten up the plate, but it highlights the color and gives your 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp a fresh punch.
Side Dishes
These shrimp pair beautifully with fluffy jasmine rice, a buttery ear of corn, or tossed into a tangy slaw. If you’re feeling adventurous, tuck them into soft tortillas with avocado or scatter them over a bed of greens—it’s hard to pick just one way to dig in.
Creative Ways to Present
Try threading the shrimp onto skewers for easy entertaining, arranging over creamy grits for a Southern twist, or using them to top a hearty grain bowl. You can even layer 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp over flatbread with a dollop of Greek yogurt for an unexpected appetizer!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (a rare occasion in my house), store cooled shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep well for up to 2 days, making them perfect for lunch salads or wraps the next day.
Freezing
10 Minute Blackened Shrimp freeze surprisingly well! Lay cooked shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or container. They’ll hold up in the freezer for up to a month—just label the date and you’re all set.
Reheating
For best texture, reheat the shrimp quickly in a hot skillet for 1–2 minutes. You can also microwave them on a low setting, but keep an eye out so they don’t get rubbery—shrimp cook fast, even when reheating!
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp?
Absolutely! Just make sure they’re fully defrosted and very well dried before seasoning and cooking. This is key to getting that spicy crust and juicy texture.
What if I don’t have blackening seasoning?
You can easily make your own! Mix equal parts paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, dried thyme, and oregano, plus salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the heat by dialing up the cayenne or chili powder.
How do I know when the shrimp are cooked through?
Shrimp are done when they turn opaque, curl into a loose “C” shape, and develop a crisp, brown crust. Overcooked shrimp will go stiff and rubbery, so pull them as soon as they’re just set!
Is this recipe gluten free?
Yes! As long as your blackening seasoning is gluten free (most are, but always double-check the label), these 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp are completely safe for gluten-free diets.
Can I grill instead of pan-searing?
Grilling works beautifully—just thread the shrimp onto skewers, oil the grates well, and grill over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes per side. You’ll still get all the smoky, spicy goodness!
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve tried making 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp, you’ll understand why I come back to them again and again for quick dinners, beautiful appetizers, and everything in between. Grab your skillet and see just how easy it is to bring bold restaurant-style flavor into your own kitchen—trust me, you’ll want to keep this one in your back pocket!
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10 Minute Blackened Shrimp Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp are a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or a delicious appetizer. Juicy shrimp coated in a spicy blackening seasoning, seared to perfection in a hot skillet.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (453g) shrimp (peeled and deveined (and defrosted if using from frozen))
- 1.5 tablespoon blackening seasoning (or more to taste)
- 1.5 tablespoon olive oil, divided (2 tsp for marinade, 2 tsp for cooking)
Instructions
- Dry the shrimp and place in a mixing bowl. Add in the oil and spice and mix until the shrimp are evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the skillet (do this in batches if your skillet is small) and cook for 2 minutes.
- Flip over and cook for another 2 minutes until cooked through and a nice brown crust develops.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 235mg
Keywords: Blackened Shrimp, Shrimp Recipe, Quick Shrimp Dish
