These New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp are so buttery, spicy, and good. Fresh shrimp are baked in a sauce flavored with lots of spice, garlic, lemon juice, and green onion. Serve with crusty French bread for an out of this world appetizer or meal. An accompanying cold beer is a must.
My favorite restaurant in Charlotte, The Cajun Queen, has a too-die-for BBQ Shrimp Appetizer. This one is almost as good.
The most important thing about eating BBQ Shrimp is the sauce. You need lots of it. And lots of crusty French bread to mop it up with.
Also, make note that you will get your fingers very messy and greasy peeling the shrimp. It’s not pleasant, but it’s unavoidable.
For me the key to good New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp is lots of butter, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Ironically BBQ Shrimp has nothing to do with the barbecue. It is either cooked stove-top or in the oven. I prefer oven-baked BBQ Shrimp. The shrimp have a little longer to linger in the sauce and pick up the flavors.
It’s important to cook the shrimp in the shells. Yes, it’s messy to peel them, but the shells really help keep the shrimp tender and moist and they flavor the sauce.
Tips for making New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp
- This is a fairly salty dish. If you want it to be less salty, try using reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce or a reduced-sodium Creole seasoning.
- You may want more heat. If so add a little extra cayenne pepper or serve it with Tabasco sauce.
- If you can get your hands on shrimp with the heads still on, use them for this recipe. The heads will add even more flavor to the sauce.
Watch the video below to see how easy it is to make New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp
New Orleans-Style BBQ Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) butter
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 6 cloves garlic,, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 green onions,, sliced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 lemon,, sliced
- 2 pounds medium to large fresh shrimp, , unpeeled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine all ingredients EXCEPT shrimp in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat. Taste mixture and add a little salt if needed.
- Place shrimp in a 9X13-inch baking dish.
- Pour butter mixture over shrimp.
- Bake 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once.
- Serve with French bread to mop up the liquid.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Pan-fried or boiled shrimp is done at 3 minutes … how can you bake shrimp for 15-20 minutes without it being overdone?
The ingredients and shrimp have to heat up enough to cook. Vs fried where you are dropping them int 350 oil.
I have made this several times for friends get togethers and this is always a good hit. I am going to make this for a Halloween party on Saturday. Very Delicious
You had me at Cajun queen!
I just made this and Sweet baby Jesus it’s DELICIOUS!!! Thank you for a fantastic recipe. I cannot wait to make it again for my friends.
Delicious
This recipe is dynamite, absolutely delicious right down to the last drop of sauce. Do use the hot paprika, the spice is perfect and just enough. Will absolutely make this again tonight!
This recipe is incredible! Make it as written- its perfect!
This is absolutely, hands down, without a doubt,
the best! And requires little to zero effort to prepare!
Excellent!!! Served with cheese grits, cesar salad and garlic.parm bread. Perfect!
It’s so good and have shared recipe with numerous friends . Easy to make and no leftovers.
Have made it at least 5 times