Cajun Pickled Shrimp: 1 Easy Recipe You’ll Love Recipe
This Cajun Pickled Shrimp recipe is a zesty, flavorful dish perfect for seafood lovers looking for a quick and easy appetizer. The shrimp are marinated overnight in a vibrant blend of Creole seasoning, lemon, and spices, resulting in a tangy, slightly spicy, and refreshingly pickled seafood treat that’s perfect for parties or light meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours (including marinating time)
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Pickling/Marinating
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Vegetables
- 2 lbs peeled & deveined large gulf shrimp
- 2 lemons (1 sliced, 1 zested & juiced)
- 1 small Vidalia onion, thinly sliced
- 4 bay leaves
Marinade
- ⅔ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Creole seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- Splash Worcestershire sauce (about 1 tsp)
Instructions
- Prepare the Lemons: Slice one lemon thinly for layering, and zest and juice the other lemon to add into the marinade for fresh citrus flavor.
- Slice the Onion: Thinly slice the Vidalia onion to add a sweet, mild crunch to the layers of shrimp.
- Make the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, Creole seasoning, salt, minced garlic, sugar, mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, dried parsley, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce until well combined.
- Layer Ingredients: In two large jars, alternately layer the shrimp, sliced onion, lemon slices, and bay leaves to create even distribution of flavors.
- Add Marinade and Seal: Divide the marinade evenly between the two jars, ensuring the shrimp are well covered. Seal the jars tightly.
- Mix the Contents Gently: Gently flip the jars several times to mix the marinade and shrimp without shaking to avoid bruising the shrimp.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Place the jars in the refrigerator overnight to allow the shrimp to marinate and pickle, flipping the jars 2–3 more times before serving to ensure even flavor distribution.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best taste and texture.
- Allowing the shrimp to marinate overnight ensures maximum flavor absorption.
- Do not shake the jars vigorously to keep shrimp texture intact.
- The dish can be served cold as an appetizer or light meal.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approx. 150g)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Keywords: Cajun pickled shrimp, pickled shrimp recipe, Creole shrimp, easy shrimp appetizer, seafood pickles, marinated shrimp
