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new orleans bbq shrimp recipe.

 


New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe – Easy Louisiana-Style Shrimp

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe – Easy Louisiana-Style Shrimp

Make this flavorful New Orleans BBQ Shrimp with juicy shrimp, butter, garlic, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, and Cajun seasoning. An easy Louisiana-style dinner ready in about 20 minutes.

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is a classic Louisiana-style seafood dish featuring plump shrimp cooked in a rich, buttery sauce flavored with garlic, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper.

Despite its name, New Orleans BBQ Shrimp isn't traditionally grilled or covered in barbecue sauce. Instead, the shrimp are cooked in a deeply flavorful butter-based sauce that's perfect for soaking up with crusty French bread.

This quick and easy recipe is ideal for a weeknight dinner, appetizer, or New Orleans-inspired seafood feast.

Why You'll Love This New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

  • 🍤 Ready in about 20 minutes
  • 🧈 Rich, buttery and flavorful sauce
  • 🌶️ Bold Cajun-inspired seasoning
  • 🍋 Bright lemon and Worcestershire flavor
  • 🥖 Perfect with crusty French bread
  • 🍽️ Great as an appetizer or main course
  • 🇺🇸 Classic New Orleans-inspired seafood

Ingredients

For the Shrimp

  • 1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons chicken or seafood stock
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 green onion, thinly sliced
  • Salt, to taste

For Serving

  • Crusty French bread
  • Lemon wedges
  • Fresh parsley
  • Louisiana-style hot sauce, optional

How to Make New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

1. Prepare the Shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.

Season lightly with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using.

Set aside.

2. Make the BBQ Shrimp Sauce

Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme, oregano, and seafood or chicken stock.

Simmer for 2–3 minutes.

3. Add the Shrimp

Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet.

Cook for approximately 2 minutes per side, depending on their size, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.

Avoid overcooking.

4. Finish With Butter

Reduce the heat to low.

Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter, one tablespoon at a time, gently swirling the skillet until the butter melts into the sauce.

This creates the rich, silky sauce that makes New Orleans BBQ Shrimp so delicious.

5. Add Fresh Herbs

Stir in the chopped parsley and sliced green onion.

Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Add a little more lemon juice or hot sauce if desired.

6. Serve

Transfer the shrimp and plenty of the buttery sauce to a serving dish.

Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

Serve immediately with crusty French bread for dipping into the sauce.

Pro Tips for the Best New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

Use large shrimp

Large or jumbo shrimp are ideal because they remain juicy and tender while absorbing the flavorful sauce.

Don't overcook the shrimp

Shrimp cook quickly. Remove them from the heat as soon as they turn opaque and form a loose "C" shape.

Use fresh lemon

Fresh lemon juice provides a much brighter flavor than bottled lemon juice.

Don't skimp on the sauce

The buttery sauce is one of the best parts of this dish. Serve plenty of it with crusty bread.

Add butter gradually

Adding the final butter over low heat creates a smoother, richer sauce.

Adjust the heat

Cajun seasoning and cayenne can vary significantly in spiciness. Start conservatively and increase the heat according to your preference.

What Is New Orleans BBQ Shrimp?

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is a famous Louisiana-inspired shrimp dish in which shrimp are cooked in a rich sauce made with butter, Worcestershire sauce, lemon, garlic, black pepper, and spices.

The dish is called "BBQ shrimp," but it generally doesn't use traditional barbecue sauce or a grill.

The name refers to the bold, savory character of the sauce rather than conventional barbecue preparation.

What to Serve With New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

This shrimp is particularly delicious with:

  • 🥖 Crusty French bread
  • 🍚 White rice
  • 🥔 Mashed potatoes
  • 🌽 Corn on the cob
  • 🥗 Green salad
  • 🥦 Roasted vegetables
  • 🍝 Pasta
  • 🫘 Louisiana red beans and rice
  • 🌽 Southern cornbread

French bread is highly recommended because it can soak up the flavorful butter sauce.

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Variations

Spicy BBQ Shrimp

Add extra cayenne pepper or Louisiana-style hot sauce.

Creamy BBQ Shrimp

Add a small amount of heavy cream to the sauce for a richer variation.

BBQ Shrimp and Grits

Serve the shrimp and buttery sauce over creamy Southern grits.

BBQ Shrimp Pasta

Toss the cooked shrimp and sauce with linguine or another long pasta.

BBQ Shrimp Rice Bowl

Serve the shrimp over steamed white rice with green onions and parsley.

How to Store Leftover BBQ Shrimp

Allow leftovers to cool and place them in an airtight container.

Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat until warmed through.

Avoid overheating because shrimp can quickly become tough.

Can You Freeze New Orleans BBQ Shrimp?

Freezing is possible, but the texture of shrimp and the butter sauce may change after thawing.

For the best quality, prepare and enjoy this dish fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called BBQ shrimp?

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp isn't usually made with traditional barbecue sauce. The name refers to the bold, peppery, buttery sauce used to cook the shrimp.

What shrimp are best for BBQ shrimp?

Large or jumbo shrimp work particularly well. Fresh or properly thawed frozen shrimp can both be used.

Is New Orleans BBQ shrimp spicy?

It can be mild, medium, or spicy. Adjust the Cajun seasoning, cayenne, and hot sauce to your taste.

What makes New Orleans BBQ shrimp different?

The combination of butter, Worcestershire sauce, lemon, garlic, black pepper, and Cajun-style seasonings gives it its distinctive Louisiana flavor.

Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes. Thaw frozen shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking.

What bread goes with BBQ shrimp?

Crusty French bread is an excellent choice because it absorbs the flavorful sauce.

Can I serve BBQ shrimp over rice?

Absolutely. White rice is an easy way to turn this dish into a satisfying main course.

How long does shrimp take to cook?

Large shrimp generally take only a few minutes per side. They should be opaque and cooked through without becoming rubbery.

Nutrition Facts

Approximate nutrition per serving:

  • Calories: 390
  • Protein: 35g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 310mg
  • Sodium: 920mg
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugar: 2g

Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary according to the shrimp, butter, seasoning, and serving size.

Similar Recipes

  • New Orleans Shrimp Creole
  • Shrimp Étouffée
  • Crawfish Étouffée
  • Chicken Étouffée
  • Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo
  • Cajun Gumbo
  • Louisiana Jambalaya
  • Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya
  • Crawfish Boil
  • Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

Final Thoughts

This New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe brings the flavors of Louisiana to your kitchen in just about 20 minutes. Tender shrimp simmered in a rich sauce of butter, garlic, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, and Cajun seasoning make an easy but impressive seafood dish.

For the best experience, serve the shrimp immediately with plenty of crusty French bread for dipping into the buttery sauce.

🍤 Recipe Card: New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Louisiana / Cajun
Category: Seafood / Main Course

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds large shrimp
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne, optional
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • 2 tablespoons seafood or chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
  • 1 green onion
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat shrimp dry and season lightly.
  2. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a skillet.
  3. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Add Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, zest, herbs, spices, and stock.
  5. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
  6. Add shrimp and cook about 2 minutes per side.
  7. Reduce heat and swirl in the remaining butter.
  8. Add parsley and green onion.
  9. Adjust seasoning.
  10. Serve immediately with crusty French bread and lemon wedges.

⭐ Chef's Tip: Keep the heat moderate when adding the final butter. Gently swirling it into the sauce creates a rich, silky finish without separating the sauce.

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