Name: Sautéed Whole30 Cajun Shrimp with Garlic Aioli
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: seafood
Ingredients: 1 pound peeled, tail on shrimp; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; pinch of chili flakes (optional); pinch of cayenne (optional); 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/4 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons avocado oil or ghee + more as needed; parsley or chives to garnish; 1/3 cup whole30 compliant mayonnaise; 1 clove of garlic, grated or finely chopped; 1 teaspoon grainy mustard; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice; salt and pepper to taste

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This recipe for Cajun-seasoned sautéed shrimp with garlic-aioli dipping sauce is simple and flavory-packed Whole30 shrimp recipe that’s perfect on it’s own as an appetizer, or as the protein base for a meal. Recipe uses tail on shrimp, and a homemade cajun shrimp seasoning. Ready within 25 minutes! Paleo, gluten free, and keto friendly.

Close up shot of a cajun spiced shrimp in a small bowl of garlic aioli. On a light speckled plate with snipped chives.

Perfectly seasoned cajun shrimp with zippy garlic aioli are a Whole30 dinner godsend.

Quick, flavorful, and protein rich, they check all the boxes. Pair them with a simple side like sautéed garlic spinach or a big green salad and you’re well on your way to a complete meal that is both nourishing and satisfying.

Cajun style shrimp also make excellent appetizer / game day snacking material if you’re looking for a healthy Whole30 compliant snack to share with your friends and family!

Why you’ll love these Whole30 cajun shrimp with garlic aioli

These simple cajun shrimp are:

Crazy flavorful
Simple to make
Perfectly seasoned
Filling
Keto friendly
Whole30 compliant
Snack & dinner worthy
So dang good!

Light speckled plate of cajun spiced shrimp topped with snipped chives. Lemon wedges on the plate and a small bowl of aioli.

Close up shot of whole30 cajun spiced shrimp topped with snipped chives.

Ingredients for Whole30 Cajun shrimp with garlic aioli

This easy Whole30 shrimp recipe is made with shrimp, an easy cajun seasoning blend, and a simple homemade garlic aioli.

(If you’re already ready to get started, scroll all the way down to the bottom for the full recipe!)

Here’s exactly what you need to make these Whole30 Cajun shrimp:

Tail on shrimp – Peeled, tail on shrimp are my preference for this recipe, but you can use any type of shrimp that you prefer!
Homemade shrimp seasoning – A simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes, cayenne, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. You could also use a pre-made cajun spice blend, but if you’re in the middle of a Whole30 make sure to check the ingredients as many cajun seasonings contain sugar.
Whole30 compliant mayonnaise – Homemade and store bought both work.
Garlic
Grainy mustard
Lemon juice
Salt & pepper

Close up shot of raw shell on jumbo shrimp.

Picture of the ingredients for Whole30 cajun spiced shrimp - plate of raw shell on shrimp, small bowl of aioli, a few lemon wedges, a small bowl filled with spice blend, and a bundle of fresh herbs.

Picture of a hand dipping a cajun spiced shrimp into small bowl of aioli. On a light speckled plate next to a small lemon wedge.

How to make Whole30 cajun shrimp with garlic aioli

These cajun shrimp are made on the stove top and ready in less than 30 minutes!

Here’s the step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Make the garlic aioli

Mix together mayonnaise, grated garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Step 2: Make the Cajun seasoning

In a small bowl mix together the cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper.

Step 3: Prep the shrimp

Peel shrimp if necessary, and pat super dry with paper towels – the drier the shrimp, the better they will cook when you sear them. Moisture when cooking any kind of protein promotes steaming instead of searing.

Toss shrimp with seasoning mix until evenly coated.

Step 4: Cook the shrimp

Heat 2 tablespoons avocado oil or ghee in a large cast iron or non stick skillet over medium high heat.

When oil is hot and glistening, add shrimp in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook in multiple batches if needed, add a little more oil for each batch.

Cook for about 1 minute per side, until just barely opaque in the center.

Step 5: Garnish with herbs and serve!

Garnish with some fresh parsley / chives and serve immediately with garlic aioli for dipping!

Close up shot of a small bowl of garlic aioli, topped with snipped chives.

Are these Whole30 Cajun shrimp also keto friendly?

Yep! You bet they are. Protein rich, and with a healthy amount of fat thanks to the garlic aioli. The perfect start to a low carb dinner or snack.

Are these Cajun shrimp spicy?

The spice blend in this recipe include cayenne and chili flakes, which gives it a small kick of heat, but if you’re not a fan of spicy, you can simply omit those two ingredients.

What is the best pan to cook this Cajun shrimp in?

My first choice for cooking these cajun shrimp is a cast iron skillet. Cast iron is generally my go to pan for cooking most proteins, unless it’s a very delicate piece of fish. For that, a high quality non-toxic nonstick pan works best.

What goes with these Cajun shrimp?

These simple Cajun shrimp are delicious on their own as an appetizer, or as a protein base for lunch or dinner.

They would pair deliciously with:

A big green salad
Cauliflower mash
Cajun cauliflower rice
Kale Caesar (swap the chicken for these shrimp in this recipe!)

Love these Whole30 shrimp recipe? Here’s some other whole30 recipes to try!

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