New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is a mouthwatering recipe with plump, juicy shrimp cooked in a savory butter sauce flavored with onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon, and homemade Cajun seasoning. Serve bbq shrimp with some crusty French bread and be transported down to the Big Easy!
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 540kcal
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds jumbo shrimp shell-on, see note
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 ½ sticks
- ½ small yellow onion thinly sliced
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon Homemade Cajun Seasoning my recipe linked
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar optional
- Cracked black pepper to taste
- 1 whole lemon sliced
- Toasted French bread for dipping
Instructions
- If you would like to devein the shrimp, cut them along the back from head to tail with kitchen shears and pick out the black or green vein. Place the shrimp in a large bowl and rinse them under cool water to get rid of any sand or debris. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.
- Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, and light brown sugar to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, for about 5-7 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens to coat the back of a wooden spoon.
- Add the shrimp and lemon slices to the skillet, season with freshly cracked black pepper, and cook for 4-6 minute until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp.
- Serve New Orleans BBQ shrimp warm with crusty french bread for dipping!
Notes
- The best shrimp for making New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp are jumbo Gulf shrimp with the heads on. However, if head-on Gulf shrimp aren't available in your area, jumbo or extra-large headless, shell-on shrimp will work just fine.
- Brown sugar is a completely optional ingredient and is not included in most New Orleans BBQ Shrimp recipes. However, it adds the most delicious hint of sweetness that plays off the tangy, spicy flavors beautifully!
- BBQ Shrimp are best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two and reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. Don't forget to toast more bread to dunk in that delicious sauce!
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 14.5g | Protein: 36.7g | Fat: 36.6g | Saturated Fat: 22.5g | Cholesterol: 423mg | Sodium: 799mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 11.4g | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 6mg