🍤🌴 Caribbean Jerk Shrimp

Cari jones

Juicy shrimp coated in a bold homemade Caribbean-inspired jerk seasoning, then seared until beautifully caramelized and finished with garlic butter and fresh lime. Sweet, smoky, spicy, and ready in under 30 minutes! 🔥

🍽️ Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4
Feeds: 4 people
Serving Size: About 6 oz cooked shrimp per person
Difficulty: Easy

🛒 Ingredients

For the Shrimp

1½ lbs large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest
Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
Lime wedges for serving

For the Homemade Jerk Seasoning

1 tablespoon brown sugar
1½ teaspoons ground allspice
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
¼–½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, depending on how spicy you like it
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

👩🏽🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the shrimp.
Pat the shrimp very dry with paper towels. This is important because dry shrimp will sear instead of steaming.

2. Make the jerk seasoning.
Combine the brown sugar, allspice, smoked paprika, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, salt, cayenne, and red pepper flakes.

3. Season those babies. 😂
Place the shrimp in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the jerk seasoning over them.

Toss until every shrimp is nicely coated.

Let them sit for about 10 minutes while your skillet heats.

4. Get that beautiful sear. 🔥
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Arrange the shrimp in a single layer. Don’t crowd the pan—cook in two batches if necessary.

Cook for approximately 2 minutes on the first side without moving them.

Flip and cook another 1–2 minutes until the shrimp are opaque and lightly charred.

5. Add the garlic butter.
Reduce heat to medium-low.

Add butter and minced garlic. Toss the shrimp in that melted garlic butter for about 30–60 seconds.

Girl… THIS is where it starts smelling disrespectfully good. 😂😮💨

6. Finish with lime.
Turn off the heat and add fresh lime juice and lime zest.

Toss everything together, then sprinkle generously with fresh cilantro or parsley.

Serve immediately with lime wedges.

🍚 What to Serve With It

This jerk shrimp would be 🔥 with coconut rice, cilantro-lime rice, yellow rice, rice and peas, roasted vegetables, grilled pineapple, sweet plantains, corn, broccoli, or a crisp tropical salad.

You could also turn it into jerk shrimp tacos or make a jerk shrimp bowl with rice, avocado, mango salsa, and veggies. 😮💨

⭐ Easy Eatz Expert Tips

Dry those shrimp! Moisture is the enemy of that beautiful caramelized crust.

Use jumbo shrimp if you can. They stay juicy and give you that restaurant-style presentation.

The brown sugar helps create the gorgeous caramelization, but keep an eye on your heat because sugar can burn quickly.

For a milder version, start with only ¼ teaspoon cayenne. For more heat, bump it up or add finely chopped Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper—but a little goes a LONG way. 🔥

And don’t overcook the shrimp. Once they’re opaque and curl into a loose C shape, they’re ready. If they tighten into little circles, they’ve usually gone too far.

🧊 Storage

Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

🔥 Reheating

Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a small pat of butter for about 2–3 minutes.

Avoid overheating because shrimp can turn rubbery quickly.

🥗 Approximate Nutrition — Per Serving

Calories: 300–340
Protein: 34–38g
Carbohydrates: 6–8g
Fat: 14–17g

Nutrition varies depending on shrimp size and the exact amount of butter and seasoning used.

🍤🌴🔥 BABY, WE JUST TOOK SHRIMP NIGHT STRAIGHT TO THE CARIBBEAN! 😂

Juicy jumbo shrimp coated in smoky-sweet jerk seasoning, seared until caramelized, then tossed in GARLIC BUTTER & LIME?! 😮💨

Put some rice on the side and DON’T CALL ME until my plate is clean! 😂🔥

SAVE THIS ONE because regular shrimp just got some competition!

❤️ Save this recipe before you forget where you saw it! Share it with your favorite seafood lover and follow Easy Eatz for more easy recipes packed with BIG flavor. 🍤🔥

✨ Easy Eatz Says:

“If the jerk seasoning ain’t got you dancing before the shrimp hits the plate… add a little more! 😂🍤🌴🔥”