The Ultimate Baked Cajun Shrimp in Tin Foil Tray Recipe for Beginners

Cajun shrimp baked in a tin foil tray delivers a mouthwatering explosion of southern-inspired flavors.

Seafood enthusiasts will appreciate the bold, spicy profile that revolutionizes an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Each succulent morsel carries a robust blend of traditional spices that dance across your palate.

The tin foil method ensures tender, juicy shrimp without sacrificing any of the intense seasoning.

Minimal preparation meets maximum flavor in this straightforward yet impressive dish.

Rich, zesty notes capture the essence of coastal cuisine with remarkable simplicity.

Your dinner guests will be impressed by this effortless culinary creation.

What Makes Baked Cajun Shrimp in Tin Foil So Easy

• Spice Up Your Meal: Cajun seasoning transforms ordinary shrimp into a zesty, flavor-packed dish that tingles your taste buds with bold, complex spices.
• Foolproof Foil Technique: Wrapping shrimp in tin foil ensures perfectly cooked, juicy seafood while trapping all the delicious seasonings and keeping cleanup super simple.
• Protein-Packed Powerhouse: With 28 grams of protein per serving, this recipe delivers a nutritious meal that satisfies hunger and supports muscle health without excessive calories.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From prep to plate in just 25 minutes, this recipe offers a speedy solution for busy home cooks craving restaurant-quality seafood with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Bold Baked Cajun Shrimp Flavor

• Shrimp: Fresh, large shrimp that provides the main protein in this spicy Cajun dish, preferably deveined and tail-on for better presentation.

• Cajun Seasoning, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Thyme, Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Spice mixture that creates the signature bold and zesty Cajun flavor profile, offering layers of heat and depth to the shrimp.

• Olive Oil: Helps coat the shrimp and distribute seasonings evenly, adding a smooth texture and preventing dryness.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, citrusy notes that complement the spicy seasonings and tenderize the shrimp.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning components that balance and enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Fresh Parsley, Lemon Wedges: Optional finishing touches that provide fresh herbal notes and additional citrus brightness to the final presentation.

Instructions for Baked Cajun Shrimp in Foil

Step 1: Prepare Oven

Preheat oven to 375°F, ensuring an even cooking temperature for your seafood adventure.

Step 2: Season Shrimp

• Olive oil
• Cajun seasoning
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Cayenne pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Toss until every shrimp is perfectly coated with spicy goodness.

Step 3: Create Foil Base

Cut a generous piece of aluminum foil and center the seasoned shrimp in the middle.

Step 4: Add Final Flavor Touches

Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and sprinkle salt and black pepper to your taste preference.

Step 5: Seal the Flavor Packet

Carefully fold foil edges together, creating a tight sealed packet that locks in all the delicious juices.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place foil packet on a baking tray and slide into preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until shrimp turn a beautiful pink color.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and serve directly in the foil packet for minimal cleanup. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges for an extra flavor kick.

Tips for Cajun Shrimp That’s Juicy & Spicy

• Select Fresh Shrimp: Choose large, deveined shrimp for the best texture and easiest preparation, ensuring maximum flavor absorption.
• Customize Spice Level: Adjust cayenne and red pepper flakes to match your personal heat tolerance, creating a personalized Cajun experience.
• Seal Foil Packets Carefully: Crimp edges tightly to lock in moisture, preventing juices from escaping and keeping shrimp perfectly succulent.
• Check Doneness Precisely: Watch for shrimp turning opaque and pink, avoiding overcooking which can make them tough and rubbery.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Let seasoned shrimp marinate for 15 minutes before baking to allow spices to penetrate and intensify the Cajun profile.

How to Store and Reheat Baked Cajun Shrimp Properly

• Refrigerate leftover Cajun shrimp within two hours of cooking in an airtight container. Store seafood in the coldest part of your refrigerator and consume within two days for the best taste and quality. Sealed containers prevent moisture loss and protect the shrimp's delicate flavor.
• Reheating Method: Gently warm the shrimp in the microwave using 50% power to prevent rubbery texture. Sprinkle a few drops of water over the shrimp before reheating to maintain moisture. Cook in 30-second intervals, checking after each interval to prevent overcooking.
• Freezing Option: Wrap cooled shrimp tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag, removing excess air. Frozen Cajun shrimp will maintain good quality for up to one month.

What to Serve with Baked Cajun Shrimp in Foil

• Craft a Zesty Wine Companion: Pair this spicy Cajun shrimp with a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling that balances the dish's heat and complements its bold flavors.
• Serve with Cooling Sidekick: Whip up a quick cucumber-dill salad or creamy coleslaw to provide a refreshing contrast to the fiery shrimp and soothe your palate.
• Create a Bread Buddy: Grab some crusty French bread or garlic toast to soak up the delicious juices and add a satisfying texture to your meal.
• Match with Bright Cocktail: Mix a classic margarita or a citrusy gin and tonic to cut through the richness of the shrimp and enhance the overall dining experience.

Cajun Shrimp Foil Pack Variations to Try

• Spicy Coconut Infusion: Replace olive oil with coconut milk and add shredded coconut to enhance tropical flavors while maintaining the Cajun spice profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Blend: Swap Cajun seasoning with dried basil, oregano, and rosemary, then add crumbled feta cheese before sealing the foil packet for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Garlic Butter Seafood Feast: Mix melted butter with minced garlic and fresh herbs, coating the shrimp instead of the original seasoning blend, creating a rich and aromatic seafood experience.
• Caribbean Zest Packet: Incorporate diced pineapple and a splash of rum into the shrimp mixture, then sprinkle with jerk seasoning for a vibrant Caribbean-style preparation.

Baked Cajun Shrimp in Tin Foil Tray Recipe

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4.5 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Louisiana-style Baked Cajun Shrimp brings spicy seafood magic straight from New Orleans kitchens. Juicy shrimp sizzle with bold Cajun spices, promising a zesty culinary adventure that connects home cooks with authentic Southern flavors.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Lemon wedges for serving

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of sweet paprika
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) of cayenne pepper, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 milliliters) of red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of onion powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil
• Chopped parsley for garnish
• Tin foil

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius), ensuring the cooking area is ready for the spicy seafood preparation.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly coat the raw shrimp with olive oil, blending in a robust mixture of Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes until each crustacean is evenly seasoned.
3. Select a generously sized aluminum foil sheet and carefully center the herb-infused shrimp in the middle of the sheet.
4. Drizzle fresh lemon juice across the seasoned shrimp, then sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
5. Meticulously fold and crimp the aluminum foil edges, creating a hermetic seal that will trap moisture and intensify the aromatic spices during the cooking process.
6. Transfer the sealed foil packet onto a sturdy baking tray, then slide into the preheated oven for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, watching for the shrimp to transform into a vibrant pink hue indicating perfect doneness.
7. Remove from the oven and serve directly within the foil packet for minimal cleanup, garnishing with chopped fresh parsley and accompanying lemon wedges to provide a bright, zesty finishing touch.

Notes

• Spice up your seafood game with this zesty Cajun shrimp recipe that transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into a flavor explosion.
• Aluminum foil packets are kitchen magic, trapping moisture and infusing every succulent shrimp with bold, intense Cajun seasonings.
• Quick cooking method ensures tender, perfectly cooked shrimp without losing any of those incredible spicy, aromatic flavors.
• Minimal cleanup means more time enjoying your delicious meal and less time scrubbing dishes after dinner.
• Versatile dish that pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or a crisp salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Fresh parsley and lemon wedges add a bright, fresh finish that cuts through the rich, spicy Cajun seasoning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg