New Orleans Spicy Cajun Shrimp

New Orleans Spicy Cajun Shrimp – Nordstrom Family Cookbook

Creole Seasoning
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 tablespoon granulated onion

Cajun Shrimp Butter
¾ pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons Creole Seasoning
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon granulated onion
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce


2 pounds large shrimp in the shell, deveined

To make the Creole Seasoning, in a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, cayenne, thyme, oregano, paprika, and the granulated garlic and onion. Mix well and store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

To make the Cajun Shrimp Butter, in a food processor (I use my mixer) fitted with the metal blade, combine the butter, Creole Seasoning, garlic, pepper, paprika, granulated onion, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. Process until thoroughly blended. Set aside.

To cook the shrimp, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Arrange the shrimp in a 9 x 13 baking dish and cover with the Cajun Shrimp Butter. (I use the smallest cookie scoop and just put little half scoops of butter all over – it is too hard to spread the butter around.)

Bake the shrimp, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir the shrimp around and continue baking until the shrimp turn uniformly pink and the translucence is gone from the thickest part of the bodies, about 2 minutes longer.

Transfer the shrimp and all the butter sauce to a warmed serving dish. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

*The recipe is perfect for 6 if you serve French Bread and salad with it. I use peeled, deveined shrimp and it works great. I also used half the butter for 1.5 pounds of shrimp because I was out of butter – works fine!  You will have enough of the Creole Seasoning for at least 2 recipes – I still have some left after making it twice.