If you're looking for a dinner recipe with bold flavors, these blackened shrimp bowls are the answer. The shrimp is tossed in a flavorful dry rub, pan-seared in a very hot skillet, and done in less than 20 minutes. Serve over rice with your favorite toppings.
I made this blackened shrimp 4 months ago and have made it on repeat since. You know the deal, whenever I have a repeat recipe like this, it CAN'T go unannounced. I often pulled this together for lunch because it was so quick– piling the shrimp into a bowl or stuffing in tacos. SO GOOD!
So Much To Love About These Blackened Shrimp Bowls
- Ready in less than 20 minutes!
- Incredibly flavorful from the spice rub
- Nothing complicated– easy to pull together
- Made in 1 pan for easy clean up!
- Extremely versatile– use on another protein like chicken!
- Customizable, use your favorite ingredients
Overview: How To Make Blackened Shrimp
The full printable recipe is below, but let's walk through how to make blackened shrimp before you get started.
- Dry the Shrimp: Before starting, pat dry the shrimp, especially if you're using thawed frozen shrimp. You want the shrimp as dry as possible.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Stir together the spices in a medium bowl. Then, add the shrimp and toss together until the shrimp is completely coated in the spices.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes– you want it very hot. Add the shrimp and cook for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through until pink.
- Assemble the Bowls: Begin with the rice and beans as the base of the bowls, then the toppings, and finish it off with the blackened shrimp.
Blackened Shrimp: #1 Success Tip
It's very important to dry the shrimp before beginning, especially if you're using thawed frozen shrimp as they will have more moisture. Cooking with dry shrimp allows it to sear while cooking and not steam.
Grab These Ingredients
- Shrimp: You can use fresh or frozen raw shrimp that is peeled and deveined. If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are thawed prior to using. You can leave the tails on or remove if desired. I often grab medium or large shrimp (26-36 per pound) is what you're looking for.
- Spices: We're using pantry staple spices like paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, and dried rosemary. The combination of these spices give the shrimp wonderful flavor and color.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for flavor.
- Rice: You can either make your own or buy store-bought microwavable rice to make it even quicker. I usually grab one of these rice varieties.
- Beans: The recipe calls for black beans, but you can also use refried if you prefer. I typically grab one of these bean varieties.
- Toppings: Here's where it's customizable, use what you love! Add chopped onion, corn, cilantro, salsa, sour cream, and jalapeños.
More Quick Dinner Recipes
Blackened Shrimp Bowls
Description
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds medium or large uncooked shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups white rice, cooked
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained & rinsed
- optional toppings: tomatoes, red onion, and salsa
Instructions
- Stir together the paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper in medium bowl.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, then add to the bowl, tossing to coat. Cover tightly and allow the shrimp to marinate in the refrigerator for 10 minutes or up to 12 hours. Time-saving tip: while the shrimp marinates, I usually prep the beans, rice, and toppings.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes until very hot. I usually use a 12-inch cast iron skillet, but any type works. Add the shrimp to the skillet, and cook the shrimp for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through until pink. Remove from the heat.
- Assemble your bowl by starting with the rice and beans as the base, then the toppings, finally the blackened shrimp. Serve immediately. Leftovers stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: The shrimp can be marinated up to 12 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Shrimp: You need 1 ½ pounds of medium or large shrimp, about 26-36 per pound. You can use fresh or frozen raw shrimp that is peeled and deveined. Thaw frozen shrimp overnight or in cold water before using. You can leave the tails on or remove if desired. I often grab medium or large shrimp (26-36 per pound) is what you're looking for.
- Chicken: If you're not a fan of shrimp or looking to change it up, use chicken cut into 1-inch pieces. The cook time will increase to 7-8 minutes. The chicken is done when an instant read thermometer reads 165ºF.
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