By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 10, 2026
Serves 4
172 cal · 15 min
5-Spice Cajun Shrimp
Recipe GLPR1082ea2c5e4d8a
A bold and flavorful grilled shrimp dish seasoned with a Cajun spice blend of paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, chili powder, and salt. Shrimp are grilled until pink and opaque, then brightened with fresh lemon juice for a quick, high-protein meal.
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Ingredients
2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and chili powder. Mix well to create the Cajun spice blend.
Place the shrimp in a large bowl. Sprinkle the spice blend over the shrimp and toss gently until all pieces are evenly coated.
Place the seasoned shrimp directly on the grill grates. Cook for 2 minutes on the first side.
Sprinkle half of the lemon juice evenly over the shrimp. After 3 more minutes, flip the shrimp to the other side.
Sprinkle the remaining lemon juice over the shrimp. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the shrimp are pink and opaque throughout, with an internal temperature of 145°F.
Transfer the shrimp to a serving platter and serve immediately.
Comments
This is a genuine weeknight win for the Charlotte area: shrimp is plentiful from the North Carolina coast and cheap year-round at any major grocer, and all spices are pantry staples available everywhere from Walmart to Food Lion. The 15-minute claim is honest—shrimp cooks in 3 to 4 minutes once the pan is hot, so this really is a quarter-hour meal including prep. At current coastal shrimp prices ($8–$10 per pound), you're looking at roughly $3–$4 per serving for the protein alone, landing the whole dish under $5 per person. The only mild drawback is that it's a same-night eat: reheated shrimp turns rubbery, and leftovers (if any) don't improve. It's also inherently a fast, hands-on dish, not something you can walk away from, but that's the trade for speed.
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