Years ago, I remember walking into a small Southern kitchen where the smell of garlic butter and spices filled the air before the food even reached the table. That moment reminded me why I started sharing recipes—to recreate those comforting, memorable meals at home. Inspired by the spirit behind Eminent Recipes, this New Orleans BBQ Shrimp recipe brings bold Cajun flavor, simple ingredients, and a warm family-style meal that anyone can cook and enjoy.
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New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is a famous Louisiana dish featuring large shrimp cooked in a rich, buttery sauce packed with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon, Cajun spices, and a touch of heat. Despite the name, the shrimp are not grilled; they are simmered in a skillet until coated in a bold, savory sauce. This iconic Creole recipe is traditionally served with crusty French bread to soak up every drop of the flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4):
For the Shrimp:
1 ½ pounds large shrimp (shell-on or peeled, deveined)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice)
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup chicken broth or seafood stock
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For Serving:
Crusty French bread or baguette
Lemon wedges
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp
If using shell-on shrimp, rinse and pat dry. If peeled, ensure they are fully deveined. Set aside.
Step 2: Build the Sauce
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add Seasonings
Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, then add hot sauce if you want extra heat.
Step 4: Cook the Shrimp
Add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and are fully cooked.
Step 5: Finish the Dish
Sprinkle chopped parsley over the shrimp and stir gently so the sauce coats everything well.
Step 6: Serve
Serve immediately with crusty French bread to dip into the rich, buttery sauce.
Notes
- Authentic Style: Traditional New Orleans recipes often use shell-on shrimp because the shells add extra flavor to the sauce.
- Extra Spicy Version: Add additional cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for spicy New Orleans BBQ shrimp.
- Peeled Shrimp Option: If using peeled shrimp, reduce cooking time slightly to keep them tender.
- Restaurant Style: Many famous versions, like those from Pascal Manale’s or chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme, emphasize a bold buttery sauce with plenty of garlic and Worcestershire flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish / Seafood
- Method: Skillet / Sautéed
- Cuisine: Cajun / New Orleans / Southern
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This New Orleans BBQ Shrimp recipe is the perfect combination of bold Louisiana flavor and simple home cooking. One reason people love New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is how quickly it comes together. In less than 30 minutes, you can create a restaurant-style Cajun seafood dish filled with garlic butter, Worcestershire sauce, and rich spices.
Another reason this New Orleans BBQ Shrimp recipe stands out is its versatility. Whether you prefer shell-on shrimp for deep seafood flavor or peeled shrimp for convenience, the dish adapts easily. The buttery Cajun sauce is rich, slightly spicy, and perfect for dipping fresh French bread.
Busy weeknights often call for easy one-pan meals, and this New Orleans BBQ Shrimp delivers exactly that. Everything cooks in a single skillet, making cleanup simple while still producing a bold Southern flavor profile. The combination of butter, garlic, lemon, and Cajun seasoning creates a balanced sauce that coats the shrimp perfectly.
Families also enjoy this dish because it feels special without requiring complicated techniques. It works equally well for casual dinners, small gatherings, or a comforting weekend meal. If you love Cajun seafood recipes, buttery shrimp dishes, or authentic Louisiana flavors, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites.
Ingredients for This Recipe
The secret to authentic New Orleans BBQ Shrimp lies in the balance of bold Cajun spices, garlic butter sauce, and fresh shrimp. Traditional New Orleans BBQ Shrimp recipes rely on simple ingredients that build layers of flavor. The butter creates a rich base, while olive oil prevents burning and adds depth. Garlic provides the classic aroma that defines many Cajun seafood recipes.
Worcestershire sauce is a key ingredient that gives New Orleans BBQ Shrimp its signature savory flavor. Cajun seasoning, paprika, and cayenne pepper create the spicy Louisiana profile that makes this dish famous. Lemon juice brightens the sauce and balances the richness of the butter.
Fresh parsley adds color and freshness, while shrimp remain the star ingredient. Large shrimp work best because they stay juicy and absorb the flavorful sauce during cooking. Finally, crusty French bread is essential for soaking up the buttery Cajun sauce that makes New Orleans BBQ Shrimp so irresistible.
🛒 Ingredients:
For the Shrimp:
1 ½ pounds large shrimp (shell-on or peeled, deveined)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup chicken broth or seafood stock
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For Serving:
Crusty French bread or baguette
Lemon wedges
How to Make This Recipe
Making New Orleans BBQ Shrimp at home is surprisingly simple and requires only one skillet. The key to a flavorful New Orleans BBQ Shrimp recipe is building the sauce first so the shrimp can absorb the rich Cajun flavors. Butter and olive oil create the base for the classic Louisiana sauce.
Start by heating butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Garlic is essential in authentic New Orleans BBQ Shrimp because it provides the savory aroma that defines the dish.
Next, add Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. These spices create the bold Cajun flavor profile associated with classic New Orleans BBQ Shrimp recipes. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice to create a rich, balanced sauce.
Once the sauce begins to simmer, add the shrimp. Cook the shrimp for about 3–5 minutes, turning occasionally until they turn pink and are coated in the buttery Cajun sauce.
🛒 Steps:
Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat
Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant
Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper
Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice
Add shrimp and cook until pink and fully coated in sauce
Finish with chopped parsley and serve immediately with French bread
Expert Cooking Tips
Cooking authentic New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is all about balancing flavor and timing. One of the most important tips when preparing New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is choosing high-quality shrimp. Large shrimp or jumbo shrimp are ideal because they stay tender and absorb the rich Cajun butter sauce better than smaller shrimp.
Another tip for perfect New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is keeping the cooking time short. Shrimp cook very quickly, usually within 3 to 5 minutes. Overcooking can make them tough, so remove them from heat as soon as they turn pink.
For deeper flavor, many traditional New Orleans BBQ Shrimp recipes recommend cooking shrimp with the shells on. The shells release natural seafood flavor into the sauce, creating a richer Cajun broth.
If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the cayenne pepper or add extra hot sauce. Spicy New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is popular in Louisiana restaurants because it highlights the bold Cajun seasoning.
💡 Expert Tips:
Use large or jumbo shrimp for better texture
Cook shrimp only until pink to prevent toughness
Use shell-on shrimp for richer Cajun flavor
Add extra cayenne for spicy New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
Serve with warm French bread to absorb the buttery sauce
FAQs
What is New Orleans BBQ Shrimp made of?
New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is made with shrimp cooked in a rich sauce of butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, lemon juice, and spices.
Is New Orleans BBQ Shrimp actually grilled?
Despite the name, New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is not grilled. The shrimp are cooked in a skillet with a buttery Cajun sauce.
Can I use peeled shrimp for New Orleans BBQ Shrimp?
Yes, peeled shrimp work well, although traditional recipes often use shell-on shrimp for deeper flavor.
How spicy is New Orleans BBQ Shrimp?
The spice level depends on the amount of cayenne pepper and Cajun seasoning used. It can be mild or spicy.
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New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is one of the most iconic Cajun seafood dishes, known for its rich buttery sauce, bold spices, and irresistible aroma. This easy New Orleans BBQ Shrimp recipe brings authentic Louisiana flavor into your kitchen using simple ingredients and a quick cooking method. Whether you prepare it for a busy weeknight dinner or a special gathering, the combination of juicy shrimp, garlic butter sauce, and crusty French bread makes it unforgettable. Once you try this classic Southern seafood recipe, it will quickly become a favorite comfort meal. 🍤