Description
A quick and flavorful weeknight meal featuring seared salmon and garlic shrimp coated in Cajun spices, ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds salmon fillets (wild-caught preferred, skin-on or skinless)
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined, size 21/25 count)
- Cajun seasoning blend (e.g., Slap Ya Mama or Tony Chachere’s)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, fresh minced
- Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh lemons (for juicing and slicing)
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
- Pat salmon fillets and shrimp completely dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing.
- Season salmon generously on both sides with Cajun seasoning.
- Toss shrimp in a bowl with Cajun seasoning to coat evenly.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil, heating until it shimmers (about 2 minutes).
- Place salmon fillets in the pan, skin-side down if applicable. Press gently to ensure contact.
- Cook salmon undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until color changes up the sides, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through. Remove to a plate and tent with foil.
- In the same pan, add a little more butter if needed. Toss in shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Push shrimp to the side and add minced garlic to the empty space. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Stir garlic into the shrimp.
- Remove pan from heat. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shrimp and salmon.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
Do not move the salmon while searing to allow a crust to form. Ensure the pan is hot before adding oil to prevent steaming. Salmon should be slightly translucent in the center when removed from heat as it will continue to cook. Shrimp should be opaque and pink, not rubbery. Add garlic last as it burns quickly. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days; reheat gently in a pan over low heat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet of salmon a
- Calories: 350
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 40
Keywords: Cajun salmon, shrimp dinner, weeknight meal, quick seafood, healthy dinner, gluten-free, 20 minute meals