New Orleans BBQ Shrimp

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is a rich, buttery Creole dish that’s easy to make at home, bringing bold Louisiana flavors straight to your kitchen.

What is New Orleans BBQ Shrimp?

Despite its name, BBQ New Orleans Shrimp isn’t grilled or slathered in traditional barbecue sauce. Instead, it’s simmered in a savory butter sauce infused with Worcestershire, garlic, lemon juice, hot sauce, and Cajun spices. The result is a deeply flavorful dish that’s perfect for dipping with crusty French bread.

Why You’ll Love This New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe

This dish is bold, buttery, and packed with authentic Louisiana flavors. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking to try a classic Southern recipe, New Orleans BBQ Shrimp is sure to impress!

Give this New Orleans BBQ Shrimp Recipe a try, and let the flavors transport you straight to the French Quarter. Enjoy!

What You’ll Need To Make Creole BBQ Shrimp:

• Shrimp: Best is you use Large or Jumbo Shrimp. New Orleans serve theirs with the head on, that’s completely optional and up to you.

• Worcestershire Sauce: The key ingredient to this is Worcestershire Sauce, providing a great depth of flavor color.

• Garlic & Fresh Herbs: Some freshly Minced Garlic as well as Thyme and Rosemary are key to adding to the depth of flavor and creating an amazing aroma.

• Seasonings: I used Cajun Seasoning/Old Bay as well as Garlic Pepper. Traditionally Black Pepper is what they use, but I decided to go with Garlic Pepper.

• Lemon: Used as a garnish and for the juice. We all know lemon juice pairs very well with seafood. Tenderizing the shrimp and enhancing the flavors.

How to Make New Orleans BBQ Shrimp:

Chop and minced garlic and fresh herbs.

Warm a cast iron skillet over medium heat and add the butter, letting it melt completely.

Stir in the minced garlic and fresh lemon juice, cooking for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.

Pour in Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce, stirring well to combine. Allow the mixture to gently simmer for about a minute. Deglaze the skillet by adding the seafood stock, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan for added flavor. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, garlic pepper, and chopped herbs.

Place the shrimp into the skillet with their shells on, ensuring they are evenly coated in the sauce.

Cook for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.

Remove from heat, then sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and arrange lemon slices on top.

Serve immediately with crusty French bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best BBQ New Orleans Shrimp

Serve with French bread: The buttery sauce is too good to waste, so soak it up with warm, crusty bread.

Use shell-on shrimp: The shells add extra flavor to the sauce.

Don’t skip the Worcestershire sauce: It’s a key ingredient that gives this dish its signature taste.

Adjust the spice level: Add more hot sauce if you like it extra spicy or reduce it for a milder version.

FAQ

Can I use peeled shrimp instead of shell-on shrimp?

• Yes, but keeping the shells on enhances the flavor of the sauce. If using peeled shrimp, consider adding shrimp shells to the sauce while simmering for extra depth, then removing them before serving.

How spicy is this dish?

• The spice level is moderate, but you can adjust it by adding more or less hot sauce to your preference.

What should I serve with New Orleans BBQ Shrimp?

• Crusty French bread is a must to soak up the sauce, but it also pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

• This dish is best served fresh, but you can prepare the sauce ahead and reheat it before adding the shrimp.

What type of shrimp works best for this recipe?

• Large or jumbo shrimp with shells on work best for maximum flavor and juiciness.