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This single serving New Orleans-style BBQ Shrimp recipe is perfect for enjoying a classic dish without making a huge batch. It’s buttery, spicy, and incredibly delicious, featuring plump, juicy shrimp simmered in a rich sauce. Skip the grill and big pot—this recipe is quick and easy to make, ready in less than 20 minutes.
If you’re craving more single serving New Orleans-inspired recipes, you’ll love our flavorful Seafood Gumbo, spicy Shrimp Creole, rich Crawfish Étouffée, hearty Jambalaya, savory Red Beans and Rice, decadent Bananas Foster, and festive King Cake.
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Shrimp Recipe
- Quick & Easy: This recipe comes together in just minutes.
- Single Serving: No need to worry about leftovers, making it perfect for one.
- Rich and Flavorful: Packed with the bold flavors of New Orleans.
This single serving BBQ Shrimp recipe brings the bold, spicy flavors of New Orleans right to your kitchen, no grill needed despite the BBQ name. When I lived in New Orleans, I always enjoyed ordering Barbecue Shrimp at Mr. B’s Bistro and in other restaurants throughout the city.
In this dish, barbecued shrimp means sautéed shrimp in a Worcestershire-spiked butter sauce. This recipe captures that same great taste in a convenient single serving. Plus, you can easily double the ingredients to make BBQ Shrimp for two!
Some might find this dish a little salty due to the Creole seasoning and Worcestershire sauce, but you can reduce the salt and spiciness by using less Creole seasoning. We use our homemade Creole seasoning for the best flavor, but store brands work fine too.
A reader inspired this recipe, wondering why I didn’t have a single serving BBQ Shrimp recipe on our website, especially since I’m from New Orleans—and she was right! I couldn’t believe I didn’t have one. We’re thrilled to add this recipe to our site and share it with you.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy BBQ shrimp recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Shrimp: I use 8 to 9 medium shrimp, which is about 5 ounces. Both fresh and frozen shrimp work well. If you’re using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them first. If you’ve got extra shrimp, consider using them to make a Shrimp Quinoa Bowl, Shrimp Fettuccine, Shrimp Tacos, or Shrimp Fried Rice.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and umami. No good substitutes, but you can adjust the amount to taste.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed for the best flavor. Bottled works in a pinch.
- Creole Seasoning: Adds spice and flavor. Make your own or use a store-bought blend. Adjust to control salt and heat. We use Creole seasoning in many of our single serving and small batch recipes like Chicken Gumbo, Baked Chicken Thighs and Slow Cooker Chickpeas and Sausage.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is best for a robust flavor. Garlic powder (1/8 tsp) can be used if needed.
- Butter: Provides richness and helps create a luxurious sauce.
How To Make BBQ Shrimp For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how make this New Orleans-inspired BBQ shrimp recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- In a small bowl, season the shrimp with Creole seasoning.
- Melt butter in an 8-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
- Add the seasoned shrimp to the pan and cook for 1 minute on each side.
- Pour in the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and additional butter. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, spooning the sauce over the shrimp as it thickens.
- Transfer the shrimp to a plate and pour the sauce over the top.
What To Serve With BBQ Shrimp
This New Orleans-style BBQ Shrimp is delicious on its own, but here are a few ways to enhance your meal:
- Crusty French Bread: Perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
- Over Rice: Serve the shrimp and sauce over a bed of white or brown rice.
- With Pasta: Toss with cooked pasta for a quick shrimp pasta dish.
- Side Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette balances the richness of the shrimp.
- Sautéed Green Beans: Add a side of veggies for a complete meal.
Expert Tips
- Control the Heat: Adjust the Creole seasoning to match your spice preference.
- Don’t Overcook: Shrimp cook quickly; overcooking makes them tough.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot right out of the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just thaw them first.
The heat level depends on your Creole seasoning. Adjust to taste.
Although we strongly recommend using it, you can use a blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, and salt.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this single serving BBQ shrimp recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
BBQ Shrimp For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6-8 medium shrimp (5 ounces), peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning -use homemade Creole seasoning or your favorite store brand.
- 2 ½ tablespoons salted butter -divided
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- In a small bowl, season the shrimp with Creole seasoning.
- Melt ½ tablespoon of butter in an 8-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
- Add the seasoned shrimp to the pan and cook for 1 minute on each side.
- Pour in the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of butter. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, spooning the sauce over the shrimp as it thickens.
- Transfer the shrimp to a plate and pour the sauce over the top.Enjoy on its own or with a slice of crusty French bread, white rice or brown rice, or buttered noodles.
Notes
- Control the Heat: Adjust the Creole seasoning to match your spice preference.
- Don’t Overcook: Shrimp cook quickly; overcooking makes them tough.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot right out of the pan.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
O…M…G… How did I make it this far in life without BBQ shrimp??? This recipe right here… Hit it out of the park! I just made my first batch, my fingers are still slightly messy from the sauce, and I’m planning my next grocery trip to restock ingredients. My husband is terrified to try them because I threatened him that if there weren’t any left when I return from yoga class… Well I’ll keep that part to myself 😜
I used a pound of head-on shrimp since I had them already. Nothing short of amazing.
Thanks Joanie. I’ve been curious about why folks have been raving about this dish. I didn’t have a chance to try it when I was in New Orleans. I will never miss that opportunity again thanks to you 😁
Oh wow, thank you so much! I’m thrilled you loved the BBQ shrimp! Your comment made my day, and I can totally picture the scene with your husband 😄. Using head-on shrimp sounds fantastic – I’m sure it added even more flavor. Enjoy your next batch!
Love it, much better than cookbook recipe.
Shrimp only need 3 min to cook. That is unless you want rubber shrimp.
In our testing, we had great results with the time stated in the recipe. Like every recipe, make adjustments to suit your taste.
Followed recipe. Shrimp were cooked perfect
Good recipe.