FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love My Cajun Shrimp Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Cajun Shrimp
• My Recipe Tips
• Storage Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• More Quick Shrimp Recipes
• Cajun Shrimp (7 Minutes) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Love seafood and Cajun cuisine? Get ready to jazz up your dinner routine with my latest creation: a mouthwatering Cajun shrimp recipe that’s bursting with flavor and oh-so-easy. I make this when I want to give my sauteed shrimp a nice kick… a.k.a. when my kids aren’t home. 😉 Mission accomplished. And if you have my Cajun spice blend (or a store-bought version) on hand, you literally need just 4 ingredients to make this zingy dish!

Why You’ll Love My Cajun Shrimp Recipe

• Bold Cajun flavors – My seasoning mix packs this Cajun shrimp with a spicy, earthy punch in every bite. It tastes like ones I’ve had at Southern restaurants.
• Juicy, tender shrimp – Sauteing in butter quickly makes them tender and juicy (never rubbery), with that perfect caramelized sear we all love.
• Quick and easy – This might be my fastest main dish yet! You can make this Cajun shrimp recipe in 7 minutes. (Yes, I said seven !)
• Versatile for any occasion – Serve it as a main course, toss it in a salad, use it as a flavorful topping… there are so many ways to enjoy Cajun shrimp. Try one of my ideas below!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my Cajun shrimp recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Shrimp – I use large shrimp (31-35 per pound), and buy them peeled and deveined so I don’t have to deal with peeling them. Smaller or larger ones will work, though. The cook time may vary by a minute or so depending on their size.
• Cajun Seasoning – I make my own homemade Cajun Seasoning with paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, oregano, thyme, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. It takes just a few minutes to stir these together and I usually have some pre-mixed in my pantry, but feel free to use a store-bought blend if that’s what you’ve got. Add 3/4 teaspoon of salt to the dish if your mix is unsalted.
• Butter – For maximum flavor, saute the shrimp in unsalted butter like I do. But if you’re dairy-free or just want to lighten it up, olive oil works just fine.
• Lemon – A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens up the dish, and it helps to balance the heat of the seasoning.

How To Make Cajun Shrimp

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Season the shrimp. Pat it dry with paper towels first, then toss with Cajun seasoning in a large bowl.
2. Saute until nice and juicy. In a large skillet , heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer, and sauté until the shrimp is pink and opaque.

1. Add a squeeze of lemon. Remove from heat. Give the Cajun shrimp a big squeeze of fresh lemon juice all over. I like a little sprinkle of fresh parsley too, or you can even make my quick lemon butter sauce for dipping.

My Recipe Tips

• Leave the tails on if you can. Cooking the shrimp with tails will make them more flavorful. But, sometimes I do remove them upfront if I’ll be mixing them into another dish, like zucchini noodles .
• I highly recommend a cast iron skillet . Any large pan will technically work, but you can’t beat the browning, quick cooking, and little caramelized edges you get with cast iron.
• Be careful not to overcook. Shrimp are speedy little things, so keep a close eye on them to avoid that tough, rubbery texture. They’re good to go when they turn that lovely pink and opaque color. It usually takes me about 3-4 minutes total.
• Remove from the pan quickly. Your Cajun shrimp will continue to cook in the skillet from the residual heat, so transfer to a plate right away to prevent overcooking.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I like to repurpose them to make (a spicier) shrimp avocado salad , my shrimp Caesar salad , or even throw them into my Cajun seafood boil .
• Reheat: Simply warm them in a skillet over medium-low heat.
• Freeze: Toss your Cajun shrimp into a freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before you warm them up.

Serving Suggestions

Since this main dish is ready in just 7 minutes, I like to pair it with fast sides for a quick dinner. Here are some ideas:

• Veggies – Air fryer asparagus takes 7 minutes as well, so I can have a complete meal done at the same time. You can also just saute vegetables (like bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini) while you’re making Cajun shrimp. For a Southern theme, serve it with my sauteed cabbage .
• Potatoes – When I want something hearty, I throw some potatoes in the air fryer about 10 minutes before I start making the shrimp.
• Bowls – I’ve been really into this concept lately, for a variety of colors and textures. Last time, I swapped the salmon for this shrimp in my salmon bowl — you can make it with white rice, or lighter and quicker frozen cauliflower rice like I did. It was everything I imagined!
• Noodles – Toss the Cajun shrimp with your favorite pasta, zoodles , or spaghetti squash , along with some fresh tomatoes. For the sauce, I like to whisk some of the Cajun seasoning into Alfredo sauce .
• Tacos – Stuff the shrimp into your favorite tortillas, along with fresh salsa , avocado slices, shredded lettuce, and a dollop of sour cream. I’ve also done this in a lettuce wrap.

More Quick Shrimp Recipes

Shrimp is so versatile and fast to whip up! If you need a flavorful dinner in a hurry, try one of my other shrimp recipes :

Coconut Shrimp

Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Greek Shrimp

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 lb Large shrimp (31/35 count, peeled and deveined, tails on) ▢
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning ▢
• 3 tbsp Butter (or olive oil) ▢
• ½ medium Lemon (sliced into wedges) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
2. In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning.
3. In a large cast iron skillet , heat the butter or oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp. Sauté for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side , until the shrimp is pink and opaque.
4. Remove from heat. Squeeze with fresh lemon juice.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 7-9 shrimp, or 1/4 of entire recipe

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Cajun Shrimp

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Cajun Shrimp (7 Minutes)

Spice up dinner with my Cajun shrimp recipe! You’ll love this juicy shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices, cooked in butter and served with lemon.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/cajun-shrimp/

Ingredients

• 1 lb Large shrimp (31/35 count, peeled and deveined, tails on)
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 3 tbsp Butter (or olive oil)
• ½ medium Lemon (sliced into wedges)

Instructions

1. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
2. In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning.
3. In a large cast iron skillet , heat the butter or oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp. Sauté for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side , until the shrimp is pink and opaque.
4. Remove from heat. Squeeze with fresh lemon juice.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 7-9 shrimp, or 1/4 of entire recipe

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)