Quick Broiled Shrimp with Garlic and Lemon

This broiled shrimp recipe is the easiest way to get perfectly juicy shrimp with a crisp, caramelized exterior. The shrimp are simply tossed with olive oil and Cajun seasoning, then broiled for just a few minutes and served with a buttery honey-lemon dipping sauce.

These shrimp are delicious on their own as an appetizer, but they also make a great main when served over pasta, rice, or a bed of greens for a quick weeknight meal.

The Most Delicious Shrimp Recipe

At Fit Foodie Finds, we love finding ways to simplify favorite dishes while keeping flavor high. Broiling shrimp is one of those discoveries: it’s fast, low-effort, and produces a wonderfully crisp exterior while keeping the shrimp tender inside.

Compared with sautéing or grilling, broiling gives the shrimp an even browning and a slightly charred finish that many people crave. Because it’s so quick—just a few minutes under the broiler—it’s ideal for busy weeknights or when you want something impressive without a lot of fuss.

Why Broil Shrimp

• Broiling creates a crisp, caramelized exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
• It’s the fastest way to cook shrimp properly—typically ready in 3–5 minutes.
• Perfect for weeknight dinners, quick appetizers, or crowd-pleasing party snacks.

Broiled Shrimp Ingredients

• Shrimp: 1.5 lbs raw jumbo shrimp, thawed, deveined, and peeled.
• Olive oil: 2 teaspoons to lightly coat the shrimp so the seasoning sticks.
• Cajun seasoning: 1.5 tablespoons; use your favorite blend or a homemade mix for bold, earthy flavor.

Tasty Honey Butter Sauce

This simple honey butter sauce is bright, buttery, and slightly sweet—an ideal companion for spicy Cajun shrimp.

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

How to Make Broiled Shrimp

Turn On Broiler

Preheat the oven to a high broil and line a baking sheet with foil or spray it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Season Shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and place them in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, add the Cajun seasoning, and toss until every shrimp is evenly coated.

Broil

Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Place under the broiler and cook for 4 minutes total, flipping once at the 2-minute mark so both sides brown evenly.

Allow Shrimp to Rest

When the shrimp are firm and pink, remove the pan from the oven and immediately transfer the shrimp to a plate to stop the cooking. Resting for a minute or two helps retain juiciness.

Make Honey Butter Sauce

While the shrimp rest, whisk together the melted butter, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust the salt or lemon if needed.

Serve and Enjoy

Serve the broiled shrimp with the honey butter sauce on the side for dipping, or drizzle the sauce over the shrimp. These shrimp are also excellent served over pasta, rice, or a simple salad. Enjoy!

Other Ways to Season Broiled Shrimp

Broiled shrimp are very versatile. Here are a few alternative seasoning ideas if you want to change it up:

• Garlic powder and dried thyme
• Italian seasoning with a pinch of salt
• Chili powder and smoked paprika for a smoky heat
• Cumin with fresh lemon juice and salt for a bright, earthy flavor
• Curry powder or a small spoonful of curry paste for a warm, fragrant profile

Top Tips for Broiling Shrimp

• We tested this recipe with both large and jumbo shrimp. Any size will work—just adjust cooking time slightly. Larger shrimp may need closer to 4–5 minutes; smaller shrimp will be done sooner.
• Watch the shrimp carefully as they broil. Shrimp cook quickly and can overcook in moments. When they curl and the flesh turns opaque pink, they’re done.
• Flip the shrimp halfway through cooking. Many broilers heat unevenly, and flipping ensures even browning on both sides.

Desserts to Serve with Broiled Shrimp

Because the shrimp can be spicy from Cajun seasoning, a light, sweet dessert pairs nicely to balance the meal. Fruit-based or creamy desserts work well.

Here are a few dessert ideas to consider after broiled shrimp:

• Iced London Fog Latte
• Banana Cream Pie Chia Seed Pudding
• Fruit & Yogurt Parfait with Granola
• Raspberry Chocolate Nice Cream

FAQs

Storage

Place leftover shrimp in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3–4 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking; brief warming in a skillet or quick oven heat will help preserve texture.

Recipe: Easy Broiled Shrimp

Prep: 10 mins · Cook: 4 mins · Total: 14 mins · Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs raw jumbo shrimp, thawed, deveined, and peeled
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

Honey Butter Sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to high broil. Line a baking sheet with foil or lightly oil it.
2. Pat shrimp dry. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil and Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
3. Arrange shrimp in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Broil for 4 minutes, flipping once at 2 minutes so both sides brown.
4. When shrimp are firm and opaque-pink, remove them from the oven and transfer to a plate to rest.
5. Whisk together the melted butter, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve the shrimp with the sauce on the side or drizzled on top.

Tips & Notes

• Cooking time varies by shrimp size and your broiler. Watch closely and remove shrimp as soon as they curl and turn opaque.
• Adjust the amount of seasoning to match the shrimp size—use a little less for smaller shrimp and a touch more for jumbo.
• These shrimp are great as an appetizer, on pasta, or over rice for a quick main dish.

Nutrition (approx.)

Calories: 168 kcal · Carbohydrates: 3 g · Protein: 16 g · Fat: 10 g · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 1 g