15 Minute Cajun Hot Honey Butter Shrimp.
Kicking things up today with my 15 Minute Cajun Hot Honey Butter Shrimp. Peppery, smoky, garlicky, and buttery, this cajun style shrimp is pan-seared with plenty of lemons and served with sweet and spicy southern-style hot honey. Spoon this buttery shrimp over creamy polenta with pan-seared peppers or sautéed spinach for a complete dinner that’s so simple, and mouth-wateringly delicious. Major bonus? This shrimp dinner is made in just about 15 minutes, using simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for busy nights when you just need something quick and delicious.
I hope you all had a lovely weekend and enjoyed some time celebrating your mom. Did you mix up some fun cocktails, bake a pie or a cake, have a family dinner via Zoom? Whatever you did, I hope you had a great weekend. Today’s post was meant to be a salad, and you’ll still be seeing that salad, probably later this week, but you know? After a very relaxed Mother’s Day weekend, that no one wanted to see end, this fun southern-inspired cajun shrimp just makes Monday a little more enjoyable.
So kickin’ southern style cajun shrimp it is.
The honest truth… was going to make something completely different with the two-pound bag of frozen shrimp in my freezer. But then at the last minute, I switched gears and I made this southern-inspired shrimp instead. It was my best idea of the week.
Yes, this shrimp is simple as can be and comes together in fifteen minutes flat. But don’t let that fool you, this skillet shrimp is such an incredibly flavorful meal.
Here’s how to make this cajun shrimp.
This is simple. First things first, if you enjoy cooking shrimp regularly, make sure your freezer is well-stocked with frozen shrimp. Having a few bags on hand will save you on nights when you need to cook something other than chicken, and you also need dinner fast.
Thaw out the shrimp and make sure to pat it dry before seasoning. This is key for a nice and crispy shrimp. Toss the shrimp with a good amount of cajun seasoning (you can use my homemade seasoning in the recipe notes, or store-bought). Then add a heavy pinch of black pepper.
Heat your skillet over high heat. Sear the heck out of those shrimps, then add in plenty of (salted) butter, garlic, and fresh thyme too. Oh and lemon! You can’t forget the lemon. And now, you’re done. YUP, that’s it. Simple – Simple.
AND SO GOOD.
Well wait, you need the sauce.
Yes, the sauce. It’s the reason I created this recipe. It’s inspired by the famous Nashville Hot Chicken and it’s the same sauce I use on my southern oven fried chicken. It’s spicy but balanced with a touch of sweetness. The classic way to add sweetness to this spicy sauce is with brown sugar, but I prefer using honey for better flavor and texture.
The shrimp has a bit of a kick, so the honey sauce is the perfect sweet balance…and it’s delicious. It’s one of my favorites sauces, and everyone else’s too. Which is why I’ve used it in both the chicken and this shrimp.
My serving suggestions.
I debated back and forth about whether to provide you with a side for this recipe. But in the end, I went with keeping it simple so you could take your pick of sides. But I want to at least provide you with my suggestions.
My choice of a side for this southern shrimp is extra creamy polenta. All you need is polenta, butter, and a pinch of black pepper. Sometimes I like to stir in fresh herbs or a little parmesan, either way, nothing can beat out a bowl of creamy polenta. Especially with such a saucy shrimp dinner like this one. It’s the BEST.
My second choice is steamed rice, but guys make the polenta. It takes ten minutes tops and it’s just so good.
For my vegetable of choice? Pan seared red and orange bell peppers with spinach tossed in at the very end. I’d add a little fresh basil or thyme, then finish with lemon. When the summer corn is in high season, that would be delicious too!
And there you have it, dinner is complete. All in probably twenty to thirty minutes time including cooking the shrimp. So do you see…this is the best idea for Monday night dinner. Then add a fun drink, I’d go with something bourbon, like maybe my blueberry smash. There’s no reason not to have an amazing Monday night, and this is how you do it up.
PS. I forget to add that you should serve this shrimp with crusty bread for scooping up all that amazing sauce. Really, it’s so delicious.
Looking for other quick-cooking shrimp dinners? These are all nice options…
Saucy Garlic Butter Shrimp with Coconut Milk and Rice Noodles
Cajun Pepper Shrimp with Creamed Corn Orzo
Sheet Pan Hawaiian Pineapple Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Jalapeño Special Sauce
Lastly, if you make this 15 minute cajun hot honey butter shrimp, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
15 Minute Southern Hot Honey Butter Shrimp.
This dish uses simple pantry ingredients making it perfect for busy nights!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds raw jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail-on or off
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cajun seasoning
- black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried thyme)
- zest and juice from 1 lemon
Hot Honey
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper using more or less to your taste
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- kosher salt
Instructions
-
1. Pat the shrimp dry, then toss with the cajun seasoning and a large pinch of pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shrimp and cook until pink, about 2 minutes per side. Add the butter, garlic, thyme, and lemon zest. Continue to cook the shrimp in the butter until the garlic begins to caramelize and turns a light golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
3. To make the spicy honey sauce. Melt together the honey, butter, cayenne, chili powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt.
4. Serve the shrimp topped with flaky salt and drizzled with spicy hot honey sauce. I like to serve over polenta and/or with a side of crusty bread.
Recipe Notes
Homemade Cajun Seasoning: mix 2 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 1 tablespoon black pepper. Makes 3/4 cup.
Our Favorite Recipes
Jammy Strawberry Galette.
Hi, Tieghan, I have a question. When you say “melt together the honey, butter, cayenne, chili powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt,” are you doing that in the pan you used for the shrimp? A different pan? Over what kind of heat?
Hi Dee,
You are doing this in a operate pan over love heat. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
The hot honey sauce for the chicken recipe is different- that has 6 TBL butter, 2 TBL honey and 2-3 tsps of cayenne pepper. Was it a misprint in the chicken recipe? I think the qtys here look better- more honey than butter and not quite so much cayenne- thoughts? thanks
Hi Leslie,
They are different recipes so I adjusted accordingly for the shrimp and then chicken. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This looks great and I love the addition of the hot honey butter, I think it would really complement the flavor.
Thank you so much Melissa! xTieghan
Can I cook this on the grill? Maybe add the butter when I take it off?
Hi Kim,
Yes that would work! I would just make the sauce on it’s own. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
The spicier the better, if my face isn’t sweating it doesn’t count LOL
Haha thank you so much Tara! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan
This looks delicious 😋 and exactly the kind of simplicity I appreciate.Will be trying it soon. One quick question…You mentioned 2lb bag of shrimp but suggest 11/2 in recipe. Why not use whole bag? I find little bags of “stuff” jn my freezer simply accumulate and end up with freezer burn and pitched out.
Hi Roger,
You could totally use the full bag! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Amazing recipe.LOVED IT!
Thank you so much Amy! xTieghan
Made this tonight for my husband with a creamy spinach and carrot polenta and he was in love! Will def make again.
That is so great to hear! Thank you so much for trying this one, Keylee! xTieghan
Had this for dinner tonight with salad and fresh bread – so much flavor with just the right amount of spice and sweet. Plus it’s so quick and simple. Looks like we have another winner! Thanks, Tieghan!
Thank you Stephanie!! I hope you continue to enjoy all of the recipes you try of mine! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Would melting Mike’s Hot Honey with butter basically be the same thing as the sauce?
Hi Joyce,
Yes that would be very similar! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Quick, easy, absolutely delicious. We will be definitely having this often.
Thank you so much Melissa! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
We loved this recipe so much. Best of all, I could not believe how quickly and easily this dish came together! Loaded with flavor…a little sweet, a little spicy, a little smokey…. YUM!
Thank you so much Elizabeth! xTieghan
Hi
Made this the other night and it was delicious. I didn’t have cayenne pepper, so I improvised with other spices. Just the right balance of sweet and spicy. I love polenta, it was the perfect partner for the shrimp. And we did have a side of sautéed spinach. I will be making this again😊
That is amazing to hear! Thank you for trying this one, Annette! xTieghan
This was easy and tasty! I didn’t heat my pan enough to sear the shrimp so they weren’t crispy, but next time… And I added some cut-up green beans and red bell pepper, which added color and crunch—and nutrition. The sauce adds another dimension, so be sure to make it. It was so good that I will try this recipe with chicken too!
Hi Karen!
I am so happy this turned out so well for you! Thank you for trying it!! xTieghan
This was a Home Run! Will make this again! Thank You
Thank you Julieann! xTieghan
I’ve never been inclined to leave a comment on a recipe before but this was DELICIOUS! So flavorful. So tasty. You’re a queen! Xo
Thank you so much Andrea! I hope you continue to love my recipes!! xTieghan
This was delicious!! I can’t wait for quarantine to be over so I can serve this to friends. So easy too! I cut the butter in half and it was fine.
Thank you so much Laura! xTieghan
We made this with chicken and chic peas instead of shrimp and it was delicious. Served with a side of creamy polenta as suggested. Fantastic!
Thank you so much Jamie! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
I wish there had been an option for more then 5 stars. By far hands down one of my favorite shrimp recipes. The flavors come together so well its amazing!! In all honestly there is never enough spice for me. Do you enjoy eating spicy food or cooking it a lot?? I’d love to see more Cajun dishes. They are some of my favorite dishes to cook. I also have a huge compliment for you. The other day I was looking at recipes and reading some other food blogs. None of them come close to what you’re doing here. Their recipes didn’t excite me and weren’t all that inspiring like yours. Besides your food, I love how you tell a story with your food. Each post takes us into your thinking and inspiration for making the dish. I was once told by a chef your food should look like love on a plate. I am here to say that you have mastered that perfectly!! 🙂
You are too kind!! I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Mike! I hope my recipes continue to inspire you and turn out amazing! Thank you!! xTieghan
Quick, easy, and delicious!! I love when I have everything on hand to try a new recipe. We loved this! I roasted some corn and made sourdough bread as accompaniments.
Amazing!! Thank you for trying this one Bethany! xTieghan
Served this with quinoa and wilted spinach. Fabulous flavors!
Love that! Thank you so much! xTieghan
So so good! Never been a seafood person but this has turned me!
Wow love to hear that! Thank you for trying this, Paige! xTieghan
I loved the honey glaze! My shrimp turned out a bit watery even after patting dry. Served it with pan fried polenta.
Amazing! Thank you Carolyn! xTieghan
Loved the hot honey!
Thank you so much! xTieghan
Hi, i made this for dinner tonight and it was absolutely delicious! It was so easy to make with everything I already had at home- bonus! Thanks for the great recipe!
Thank you so much Noelle! xTieghan
Perfect blend of spicy and sweet! We made it with cilantro lime rice. It was a big hit. Will definitely make again!!
Thank you so much Renee! xTieghan
Just made this! It was quick and turned out soooo well!!!
Thank you Renae! xTieghan
Made this tonight needing a quick, flavorful meal. Boy, did it deliver! The perfect amount of heat and sweet. My husband, cwho can be picky, loved it! Thanks for this great recipe!
Well I am glad this one was loved by all! Thank you so much for trying this Dawn! xTieghan
This came together perfectly. The entire family really enjoyed it. The sauce in which you cook the shrimp is dangerous. I kept going back for spoonfulls to put on my polenta – even when the shrimp were all gone. I could eat it on just about anything!
I am so glad you all enjoyed this one, Jennifer! Also, so glad you loved the sauce! Let me know if you try it on anything else! xTieghan
Made this and loved it! Awesome flavors.
Thank you so much Jill! xTieghan
Another winner winner shrimp dinner Tieghan! Made this for myself and my boyfriend last night and served it over quinoa–it was delicious! We used frozen shrimp and it made this dish go even faster. And anything I can put that hot honey on I will–it is too unbelievably good, at one point I was just eating it with a spoon!
Haha love that! Thank you so much for trying this one, Susan! xTieghan
Loved the unique combination of flavors in this dish! I served it with grits and roasted carrots. Drizzled some of the hot honey on the roasted carrots too. Delicious!
Thank you Ryann!! xTieghan
So delicious! Made with chicken and it worked wonderfully. Will definitely be making again soon! Thanks for all of your wonderful recipes.
Thank you Jess!! I am really glad you enjoyed this! xTieghan
Made this for dinner on a Monday and it was fantastic! I did skip the thyme since we aren’t a fan of it and used a bit less cayenne. The lemon really does make the dish!
Thank you so much Megan! That is amazing! xTieghan
Insanely good ❤️ Licking my plate clean 😋
So happy to hear that, Jennifer! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi! This was so delish!! Can you tell me where you got the small gold pan in the video? The one where you made the sauce? Thanks so much!! Love all your recipes!
Hi Christy,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am so glad you enjoyed the dish! I actually found that pan at a vintage store so I don’t have a link, sorry! xTieghan
I rarely cook shrimp because I just don’t do it well. That all changed thanks to this recipe. What a fantastic, tasty, easy recipe (with almost all ingredients on hand–bonus)! Thank you.
Thank you so much Aimee! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Yum! I loved this recipe and especially that sauce. Served with mashed potatoes because my local grocery stores didn’t sell polenta… it was delish with the sauce drizzled on top of them too 🙂
Yum! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Such a yummy and easy dinner!! Definitely would recommend!
Thank you so much Marissa! xTieghan
I put this over grits. Perfect!
Thank you Lauren! xTieghan
O M G. This was amazing!! Also drizzled some Louisiana hot sauce over it and it was delicious!! Made with rice, broccoli, & corn bread w/ jalapeños (my personal fav). Husband loved it!! This will definitely be in our meal routine!
Amazing! I am really happy to hear that this turned out so well for you, Stephanie! Thank you! xTieghan
Tieghan!! This recipe is AMAZING. I’ve made so many of your recipes & this is by far one of the best. Delicious & the perfect mix of sweet & spicy.. thank you! My family absolutely loved it. I made it all exactly except I did half the butter.
Amazing! I am really glad this turned out so well for you all! xTieghan
So good!! I loved your recipe.
To make it kid friendly and reduce the spice, I actually just finished it off with the honey instead of the additional spices. My 3 and 5 year old loved it too!
Amazing! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Christine! xTieghan
Made this tonight and woah! So simple yet full of flavor. Definitely adding to the rotation. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much Leila! xTieghan
Hi! I’m about to attempt this recipe but I don’t have a lemon — would lime work in its place?
Thanks!
Hey Jennifer,
Yes that would be okay to use. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan!
What do you recommend subbing for cayenne? I love it but can’t have it anymore.
Thank you!
Hey Melissa,
I would just omit the cayenne. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this for my husband and son. They both loved it. They said without the honey it wasn’t too spicy for me (I don’t like hot spicy things.) The hot honey was a hit too.
Thank you Heather! xTieghan
This was the first time I’ve made hot honey and o.m.g. This was just hands down an amazing meal. I made it with your herby polenta and it was just—wow. Thank you!
Thank you so much Lauren! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This shrimp was so delicious! We actually had it for New Year’s Eve dinner. The week had really gotten away from us, and we were feeling too lazy to even go out to pick up take out. It was just that kind of week. I remembered I had some shrimp and came across this recipe. It was perfect. So fast and easy and we had everything on hand. We actually ate it on a po’boy like sandwich with a little mayo and lettuce. Also, with a side of Kraft macaroni and cheese. 1) Because I have a two year old and 2) because it really was that kind of week. Thanks for an awesome easy dinner and a memorable New Year’s Eve. It was an unexpected combo, but it was just what we needed. Love all your recipes!
Hey Katelyn,
Thank you so very much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Just made this for dinner tonight, had it bookmarked for months. 5 stars again! And two thumbs up from my picky husband, so thank you for that. 🙂 I had 1 lb of shrimp, and 1/2 head of cauliflower, so this was a perfect use up. Cooked cauliflower in spice mixture first, then shrimp. Next I subbed a store short cut and used my fave bottled hot honey, Mike’s Hot Honey. Served over grits. Thank you so much for recipe!
Hey Lauren,
I am so thrilled the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! Happy Friday! xTieghan
Huge fan of all your recipes!! Thinking about making this for a small dinner party tomorrow and I was wondering if it’s possible to make the shrips today already and only warm it up tomorrow? X
Hey Chantal,
I would not recommend that. Shrimp can easily overcook and by reheating you will run that risk. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
We usually have extra hot honey left over. Can it be stored in an airtight container in a cupboard? And if yes, for how long would you suggest? Thanks!!!
Hey Samantha,
Yes, totally fine to do! I would say it is good for a few months. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made this Cajun shrimp tonight, ooooweeee it was so delicious!!! As always, easy to follow directions and great photography. Took your advice and made polenta. Couldn’t find any instant so made the 30 minute regular cook kind, and you are right, the polenta is a perfect pairing, it cools down the heat and holds onto that sauce so well! Thank you for yet another keeper recipe!
Hey Joan,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! 🌷xTieghan
Holy shit! Another winner, Tieghan! Thank you for an easy, delicious meal!
Hey Autumn,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Have a great weekend:) xxTieghan
Omg! I made this recipe it was so delicious. Will definitely make again. So good but so simple. I had it with the crusty bread and a sangria. Yum Yum Yum.
Hey there,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a go, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan