Sizzling Cajun Shrimp Steak Recipe: Bold Flavors, Simple Joy

Juicy steak meets zesty cajun shrimp in a culinary dance that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Seared to perfection, this dish promises an explosion of bold southern flavors.

Spices swirl and mingle, creating a mouthwatering harmony on your plate.

Each bite tells a story of robust seasoning and tender meat complemented by succulent seafood.

Pepper, paprika, and garlic weave their magic into every morsel, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Salt and heat balance delicately, turning an ordinary meal into an extraordinary feast.

You can almost smell the sizzling goodness waiting to be devoured.

Prepare to embark on a flavor adventure that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Steak and Shrimp Sauce – Why This Flavor Explosion Is Worth It

Quick Restaurant-Quality Meal: Elevate Your Dinner Game

• Impress with Ease: Craft a restaurant-worthy dish in just 30 minutes without complex techniques or professional chef skills.
• Budget-Friendly Luxury: Transform affordable steak and shrimp into a gourmet meal that looks and tastes expensive without breaking the bank.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by using the same skillet for steak, shrimp, and sauce, reducing dishwashing time and effort.
• Customizable Spice Level: Adjust Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to match your personal heat preference, making it perfect for diverse taste buds.

Cajun Shrimp Steak Sauce Ingredients

• Steak: Rich beef cut for main protein, choose a tender cut like ribeye or sirloin.
• Shrimp: Tender seafood protein, select fresh or high-quality frozen shrimp.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic flavor enhancers for meat and sauce.
• Garlic Powder, Paprika, Smoked Paprika: Adds depth and complexity to steak seasoning.
• Cajun Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes: Provides spicy and bold Cajun flavor profile.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor base for cooking shrimp and making sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing steak with high smoke point.
• Heavy Cream: Creates smooth and luxurious sauce texture.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and liquid volume to sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens sauce with tangy freshness.
• Minced Garlic: Aromatic base for sauce with intense flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish with fresh herb notes.

Steak & Shrimp Sauce Cooking Steps

Step 1: Spice Up Those Steaks

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Smoked paprika

Massage the spices into both sides of the meat.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Once the skillet is blazing hot, carefully drop in the steaks.

Cook for 4–5 minutes on each side for a perfect medium-rare finish.

Transfer the steaks to a resting plate and let them chill while you create magic.

Step 2: Dancing Shrimp Sauté

In the same sizzling skillet, melt butter until it’s golden and bubbling.

• Cajun seasoning
• Red pepper flakes

Cook those little seafood gems for about 2 minutes per side until they turn a beautiful pink.

Scoop out the shrimp and set them aside for their grand finale.

Step 3: Whip Up Creamy Lusciousness

Drop minced garlic into the skillet and let it dance for a minute until fragrant.

• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth
• Fresh lemon juice

Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer and thicken for 3–4 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper to make the flavors pop.

Gently return the shrimp to the skillet and coat them in the dreamy sauce.

Step 4: Create Your Masterpiece

Place those perfectly cooked steaks on plates and crown them with the spicy seafood sauce.

Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for a vibrant finish.

Serve alongside your favorite companions like creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or a crisp salad.

Dinner is served!

Surf and Turf Tips for Cajun Steak with Shrimp Sauce

• Select well-marbled ribeye or New York strip steaks for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Use a hot skillet and avoid moving steaks too much to create a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in juices.
• Adjust Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance, making the dish mild or fiery.
• Watch cooking time carefully, removing shrimp from heat when they turn pink to maintain their delicate texture and prevent rubbery consistency.
• Add lemon juice at the end to brighten the creamy sauce and balance the rich, spicy flavors without overwhelming the dish.

Leftover Cajun Shrimp Steak Storage

• Store leftover steak and shrimp sauce in separate airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below for maximum 3-4 days.
• Warm sliced steak gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Alternatively, use the microwave with 30-second intervals, checking temperature to avoid overcooking.
• Warm the creamy Cajun shrimp sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore original consistency if sauce appears too thick.
• Freeze the sauce and shrimp separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Snacks for Cajun Shrimp Steak

• Pair Perfectly Elevate the Flavor Journey
• Complementary Wine Selection: Reach for a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel that matches the robust steak and spicy Cajun shrimp, cutting through the creamy sauce with its rich tannins.
• Refreshing Cocktail Companion: Mix a classic Old Fashioned with a spicy twist by adding a dash of Cajun-style bitters to echo the dish's bold Cajun flavors and cleanse the palate.
• Ideal Side Dish Harmony: Prepare garlic roasted asparagus or a crisp corn and black bean salad to balance the richness of the creamy sauce and provide a fresh, zesty counterpoint to the hearty steak and shrimp.
• Cooling Beverage Option: Serve an ice-cold craft wheat beer or a citrusy Belgian-style ale to complement the spicy notes and refresh the palate between each decadent bite.

Steak with Creamy Cajun Shrimp Sauce Bold Twists

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace chicken broth with gluten-free broth and use cornstarch instead of traditional thickeners to maintain sauce consistency while accommodating gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap heavy cream for coconut cream and serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content without compromising flavor intensity.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute heavy cream with unsweetened almond milk or cashew cream and use olive oil instead of butter to create a lighter, dairy-free sauce that still delivers robust Cajun flavors.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Replace steak and shrimp with grilled portobello mushrooms and plant-based protein like tofu, seasoned with identical Cajun spices to maintain the dish's signature spicy profile.

FAQs

• What is Cajun seasoning?

Cajun seasoning is a spicy blend of herbs and spices typically including paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme. It originates from Louisiana and adds a bold, zesty flavor to dishes.

• Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking to ensure they sear properly and don’t release excess water in the skillet.

• How do I know when the steak is cooked to my desired doneness?

Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. For medium-rare, aim for 135°F, medium is 140°F, and medium-well is 150°F. Let the steak rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking, as the temperature will continue to rise slightly.

• Is there a substitute for heavy cream in the sauce?

You can use half-and-half or whole milk mixed with a bit of cornstarch to help thicken the sauce. For a lighter option, try Greek yogurt or coconut cream, though the texture and flavor will be slightly different.

Cajun Shrimp Steak Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Sizzling New Orleans-style “Steak with Creamy Cajun Shrimp Sauce” delivers a spicy, luxurious dance of southern flavors. Succulent beef meets zesty shrimp in a rich, velvety sauce that will transport you straight to Louisiana’s culinary heart.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Steak Ingredients:

Main Protein:

• 2 ribeye or sirloin steaks (about 1-inch thick)

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Cooking Essentials:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Sauce Ingredients:

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Sauce Base:

• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.25 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Cooking Essentials:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Craft the steak’s flavor profile by generously coating it with a blend of salt, cracked black pepper, aromatic garlic powder, vibrant paprika, and smoky spices across both surfaces.
2. Unleash a sizzling culinary performance by heating olive oil in a large skillet until it shimmers with intense heat, then carefully introduce the seasoned steaks.
3. Create a perfect sear by cooking the steaks approximately 4-5 minutes per side, achieving a tantalizing medium-rare doneness that locks in succulent juices.
4. Temporarily relocate the perfectly cooked steaks to a resting area, allowing their internal temperatures to stabilize and flavors to intensify.
5. Transform the same skillet into a seafood canvas by melting butter and introducing plump shrimp adorned with zesty Cajun seasoning and optional fiery red pepper flakes.
6. Dance the shrimp quickly through the hot surface, cooking roughly 2 minutes per side until they turn a vibrant pink and reach delectable doneness.
7. Gently extract the shrimp, preserving their delicate texture for the upcoming sauce creation.
8. Infuse the skillet with minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence for approximately one minute until fragrant and golden.
9. Construct a luxurious sauce by incorporating rich heavy cream, savory chicken broth, and a splash of bright lemon juice, stirring to create a harmonious blend.
10. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken, concentrating its flavors for 3-4 minutes while adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper.
11. Reunite the perfectly cooked shrimp with the creamy sauce, gently coating each morsel in the luscious mixture.
12. Present the masterpiece by positioning the rested steak as the foundation and crowning it with the Cajun shrimp sauce.
13. Elevate the visual and flavor experience by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the dish.
14. Complement the main attraction with accompaniments like creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or a crisp, refreshing salad.

Notes

• Customize the Cajun seasoning blend by adjusting spice levels for personal heat preference, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors that won’t overwhelm the palate.
• Use high-quality, fresh shrimp for the most succulent and tender texture, preferably large or jumbo sizes that complement the robust steak.
• Allow the steak to rest after cooking to help redistribute juices, preventing dryness and maintaining maximum tenderness and flavor.
• Consider using a cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution and achieving a perfect golden-brown sear on the steak, enhancing its rich, caramelized exterior.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 800
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 50 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 50 g
• Cholesterol: 300 mg