Blackened Shrimp

^{This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.}

The BEST Blackened Shrimp – made with homemade blackened seasoning! The perfect addition to your favorite salads, pastas, and bowls… and equally delicious all on its own!

There are certain things that, once you discover them, you can’t go back. And for me… blackened seasoning is one of them. From the moment I first tasted blackened shrimp on a caesar salad, I was forever changed. I knew that plain grilled shrimp would never again cut it!

We love it in Blackened Shrimp Tacos, and it’s amazingly delicious in a Shrimp Po Boy. It also makes a delicious addition to pastas like Fettuccine Alfredo or Lemon Ricotta Pasta and salads like this delicious Grilled Vegetable Salad.

So what is blackened seasoning blend? Well, it’s similar to Cajun seasoning, but with more ingredients. Blackened seasoning is blend made up of smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, dried oregano, dried basil, and dried thyme. When shrimp (or any protein) is coated in it, it takes on a very dark brown, almost black color when cooked.

Basically… it’s THE most delicious way to season everything from chicken to salmon to shrimp. It has so much flavor, And once you taste it… you’ll NEVER go back!

what you’ll need for this blackened shrimp recipe

Shrimp – I used 1 pound of raw, peeled, deveined shrimp. I would definitely recommend using raw shrimp in this recipe because cooked shrimp can quickly become overcooked when it’s heated. If you prefer using cooked shrimp, be sure to heat it minimally to prevent tough, overcooked shrimp.

Blackened seasoning – I added 3 1/2 Tablespoons of blackened seasoning to the shrimp to season it. Feel free to use less if you prefer. If you’re looking for a good store bought option, this Blackened Seasoning has most of the same ingredients as mine!

Olive oil – I used 2 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to cook the shrimp in. You can substitute any type of oil you prefer for sautéing.

how to make blackened shrimp

Season the shrimp. Combine the shrimp in a mixing bowl with 1 batch (about 3 1/2 Tablespoons) of blackened seasoning.

Heat the oil. Heat 2 Tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Cook the shrimp. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until shrimp is fully cooked and opaque.

what type of shrimp to use

I used 1 pound of large, easy peel, deveined shrimp. You can find a number of different sizes and variations (peeled, tail off, etc) depending on what you’re looking for. I like using raw shrimp in this recipe because it doesn’t get over-cooked, but you can feel free to use cooked shrimp if you prefer.