This Caribbean Jerked Shrimp has a bold flavors and juicy tender shrimp. It is a dish that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the Caribbean. So grab your favorite spices and be prepared to be transported.
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Why this Jerk Shrimp Recipe is a Keeper
This Caribbean Jerked Shrimp recipe is an explosion of flavor. It is the kind of recipe that you HAVE to go back to that restaurant for again and again because you can’t get it out of your head. Now, you can make it at home anytime. Just make sure that you have plenty of bread to sop up that amazing sauce.
- 20 Minute Meal: Fast to make and wonderful to taste. Just a few minutes per side. It only takes minutes to cook the shrimp.
- Ingredients: Use nice fresh ingredients for a tropical surprise along with jerk spice.
- Family Friendly: It doesn’t matter if it is the dead of winter or a hot summer night this meal will be a hit.
If you’re looking for more shrimp inspired recipes, try these Shrimp Deviled Eggs, Bang Bang Shrimp Recipe and Italian Oven Baked Prawns (Shrimp).
What does Jerked mean?
Jerk seasoning is a unique blend of spices that typically includes allspice, scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero/jalapeño), thyme, nutmeg, garlic, onion, and sometimes soy sauce or brown sugar. This aromatic mixture creates a warm, smoky, and often quite spicy flavor profile. Jerk seasoning would make almost anything better,
Ingredient Notes for Jamaican Jerk Shrimp
You can use any shrimp, thaw frozen shrimp for the marinated shrimp. Use fresh or wild caught shrimp and then just follow the recipe.
- Jumbo Shrimp: Fresh shrimp are best, one without peel, deveined shrimp with tails on. Need help on how to pick out the best shrimp? Check this guide.
- Caribbean Jerk Seasoning: There are many premade seasoning blends that are very good or make your own homemade jerk seasoning.
- Serrano Chili Pepper: Wonder even flavored pepper similar to the Jalapeno.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Variations and Substitutions to Make Jerk Shrimp
- Grill: Make grilled jerk shrimp and top with more authentic jerk seasoning. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side for this easy recipe.
- More Butter: For more garlic butter shrimp flavor add more butter.
- Salad: Take the leftover shrimp and make a jerk shrimp salad. It adds robust shrimp flavor to the dish.
- Sweet Shrimp: Add some pineapple for a hint of tropical sweetness.
Special Equipment Needed for Jerk Cooking
- Cast Iron Skillet: Cook jerk shrimp in this versatile skillet.
Pro Tip
Learn how to peel and devein shrimp the easy way.
How to Make this Recipe for Jerked Shrimp
You will love jerk shrimp. It is one of my favorite shrimp dinner recipes. My family has loved this recipe for years and yours will too.
These are the basic steps for making jamaican pepper shrimp . Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions for making the jamaican jerk shrimp recipe.
1. Add the Shrimp
First, preheat oven to 500ºF.In a large bowl, toss the raw shrimp, after pat dry with a paper towel, with 1/2 teaspoon of Jamaican Jerk Seasoning; set aside.
2: Combine and Make Simple Jerk Shrimp
Second, in a cast iron skillet, stir together remaining ingredients. Then add shrimp on top of vegetables and herbs. Lastly, pour melted butter over top of the shrimp and top with Thyme sprigs.
3. Bake the Spicy Jerk Shrimp on the Stove
Meanwhile, slice the bread and wrap it tightly in foil. Finally, cook jerk shrimp and bread for 5-7 minutes, or until shrimp is cooked through. Jerk shrimp is best served hot.
Easy Jerk Shrimp Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips for Making This Sweet and Spicy Jamaican Style Jerk Shrimp Recipe
This shrimp taste amazing. But you can eat shrimp so many different ways.
- Mango Salsa: Serve with a nice tropical Mango salsa.
- Short cut tip: Try a premade Jerk Marinade. You can use for jerk chicken too.
- Fresh Thyme: I really elevates the dish, so do not skip this fresh herb.
- Bread: Crusty is best, like a nice Baguette.
- Lime Juice: Add a burst of freshness by serving with lime wedges or lemon juice or top with a tsp of fresh scallions or green onions.
- Peppers: Red bell peppers can be used in place of green. For a hint of sweetness add some honey or brown sugar to top with shrimp.
What to Serve with this Easy Shrimp Recipe
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Caribbean Jerked Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Jamaican Jerk spice, divided
- 12 Raw shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails
- ¼ cup Light beer
- ¼ cup Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Green bell pepper, diced
- 2 teaspoons Serrano chili pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon Red onion, diced
- 1 Scallion, chopped, greens and whites
- 2 cloves Garlic, chopped
- 2 teaspoons Fresh thyme, minced
- 1 tablespoon Fresh cilantro, minced
- 4 tablespoons Butter, melted
- 8-10 Thyme sprigs
- 1 Loaf of crusty bread
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 500ºF.
- In a small bowl, toss shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon of Jamaican Jerk Seasoning; set aside.
- In a cast iron skillet or other oven proof skillet, combine beer, tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, minced thyme and minced cilantro.
- Add shrimp on top of vegetables and herbs.
- Pour melted butter over top of the shrimp and top with Thyme sprigs.
- Slice the bread and wrap it tightly in foil.
- Bake shrimp and bread for 5-7 minutes, or until shrimp is cooked through.
- Remove shrimp and bread from the over and serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: . Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two skillets or use a large one.
- Mango Salsa: Serve with a nice tropical Mango salsa.
- Short cut tip: Try a premade Jerk Marinade.
- Fresh Thyme: I really elevates the dish, so do not skip this fresh herb.
- Bread: Crusty is best, like a nice Baguette.
- Lime Juice: Add a burst of freshness by serving with lime wedges or lemon juice or top with a tsp of fresh scallions or green onions works well too.
- Peppers: Red bell peppers can be used. For a hint of sweetness add some honey or brown sugar if it is too hot.
This jerk shrimp is delicious!!