Best 5 Cajun Seafood Marinade Recipes

For those looking to spice up their seafood dishes, a Cajun seafood marinade is a delectable solution. Originating from Louisiana, this flavorful blend of spices and herbs forms a captivating coating that infuses seafood with a delightful kick. Whether you are preparing shrimp, fish fillets, or any other type of seafood, this marinade adds a vibrant layer of flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. With its perfect balance of bold spices and zesty herbs, a Cajun seafood marinade guarantees an extraordinary culinary experience.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CAJUN SEAFOOD MARINADE

Cajun Seafood Marinade image

Seafood marinade the Cajun way is all about seasoning with garlic, cumin, chilis and pepper. I toss in fresh rosemary and thyme to enhance these tasty shrimp. -Dwayne Veretto, Roswell, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 10m

Yield about 1 cup.

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

3/4 cup canola oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

Steps:

In a small bowl, mix all ingredients. Use to marinate seafood.

Nutrition Facts :

SPICY CAJUN MARINADE & BASTE

Spicy Cajun Marinade & Baste image

This is a great spicy marinade for Chicken, Pork, Beef or Shrimp. For Chicken or Pork, marinate for 1-2 hours, Beef for 2-4 hours and Shrimp 1/2 hour. May also be used as a baste for grilling or oven roasting. This was originally a patchwork from many other marinade recipes and has been 'messed' with to suite our tastes over the years. Note: If you want to add lime or lemon juice, do so ONLY during the last hour of marinating, to avoid a mushy meat texture.

Provided by Simply Sue

Categories Sauces

Time 1h5m

Yield 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon oregano, hand crushed
1 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon horseradish
1/4-1/2 cup lime juice (optional last hour) or 1/4-1/2 cup lemon juice (optional last hour)

Steps:

Put everything except the juice in a blender or jar with tight fitting lid and mix until completely blended.
Transfer to a resealable plastic bag, add the items to be marinated and place bag in refrigerator.
Turn bag several times while marinating.
Marinating Times:.
2-4 hours Beef.
1-2 hours Chicken or Pork.
½ hour Shrimp.
As a basting sauce, mop onto meat or kabobs during grilling or roasting.
Also may be added, in limited amounts, to Cajun or Creole dishes for some added heat if you adjust the salt amount for the combined dish.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1415.5, Fat 146.5, SaturatedFat 20.4, Sodium 84.7, Carbohydrate 30, Fiber 7.7, Sugar 5.1, Protein 4.4

CAJUN GRILLED SHRIMP

Cajun Grilled Shrimp image

This grilled shrimp recipe came from a neighbor, Katie. These shrimp are a nice change from the regular Cocktail shrimp. The ingredient list looks long, but very easy to make with sprices/herbs that are usually onhand. Easy make-ahead, or bring with appetizer. Frozen shrimp work great.

Provided by debita

Categories Cajun

Time 12m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 lbs shrimp, peeled deveined, and be sure they are thawed, if using frozen. (I buy mine at Sam's 2 lb bag)
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons parsley
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon paprika
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon white pepper
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon oregano

Steps:

Mix together. Marinade for up to 24 hours. Skewer and grill, 3 minutes per side, or until tender. Serve warm or refrigerate to serve later.

CAJUN GRILLED SHRIMP

Cajun Grilled Shrimp image

The kicked-up marinade on these shrimp makes this a flavor-packed dish. Serve over rice, and make sure to squeeze those charred lemons over top-that makes them taste extra bright and delicious. -Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

3 green onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on
4 medium lemons, each cut into 8 wedges

Steps:

In a large shallow dish, combine the first 8 ingredients. Add shrimp and turn to coat. Cover; refrigerate for 15 minutes. , Drain shrimp, discarding marinade. On 12 metal or soaked wooden skewers, thread shrimp and lemon wedges., Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat until shrimp turn pink, turning once, 6-8 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 168 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 184mg cholesterol, Sodium 575mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 25g protein. Diabetic exchanges

HOT CAJUN SHRIMP APPETIZER

Hot Cajun Shrimp Appetizer image

The easiest shrimp appetizer that is a perfect blend of savory, spicy, and smoky flavors. Serve it with a crusty, buttered bread to please any shrimp-loving crowd.

Provided by thefoodieexpress

Time 15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon ground paprika
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add shrimp and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, paprika, red pepper flakes, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Add water to ensure spices don't burn.
Mix well and let the shrimp continue to cook over medium heat until shrimp are firm, 3 to 4 minutes, taking care not to overcook them. Add butter, mix well, and remove from the heat once the shrimp are cooked.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 211.4 calories, Carbohydrate 1.9 g, Cholesterol 180.2 mg, Fat 14.2 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 18.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 220 mg, Sugar 0.5 g

Tips:

Choose the freshest seafood possible: The fresher the seafood, the better the marinade will work its magic. Look for seafood that is firm and has a mild, briny smell.
Don't over-marinate the seafood: Seafood can easily become tough if it is marinated for too long. For most types of seafood, a marinade time of 30 minutes to 2 hours is ideal.
Use a flavorful marinade: The marinade is what will give the seafood its flavor, so make sure to use a marinade that is packed with flavor. Experiment with different herbs, spices, and citrus juices to find a marinade that you love.
Don't overcrowd the marinade: Make sure there is enough marinade to cover the seafood completely, but don't overcrowd the marinade. If the seafood is too crowded, it will not be able to absorb the marinade as well.
Let the seafood marinate in a cool place: The marinade will work best if it is allowed to marinate in a cool place, such as the refrigerator. Do not marinate the seafood at room temperature, as this can increase the risk of bacteria growth.
Cook the seafood according to the recipe: Once the seafood has been marinated, it is important to cook it according to the recipe. Overcooking the seafood will make it tough and dry.

Conclusion:

A Cajun seafood marinade is a great way to add flavor and moisture to your seafood dishes. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a marinade that will make your seafood taste amazing. Whether you are grilling, frying, or baking your seafood, a Cajun seafood marinade is sure to please everyone at your table.