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This single serving New Orleans-style BBQ Shrimp recipe delivers bold flavor without the big batch. Plump, juicy shrimp simmer in a buttery, spiced Worcestershire sauce, creating a rich and delicious dish. No grill or large pot needed—just a skillet and 20 minutes.
Looking for more single serving New Orleans-inspired recipes? Try my Seafood Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, Crawfish Étouffée, Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice, rich Bananas Foster, and festive King Cake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: This recipe comes together in minutes.
- Big Flavor, Small Batch: Captures the bold taste of New Orleans in a perfectly portioned meal.
- Easily Doubles: Need two servings? Just double the ingredients for BBQ Shrimp for two.
This single serving BBQ Shrimp recipe brings the bold, spicy flavors of New Orleans to your kitchen—no grill required. In New Orleans, BBQ Shrimp means sautéed shrimp in a rich, Worcestershire-spiked butter sauce, not traditional barbecue. I loved ordering it at Mr. B’s Bistro and other restaurants when I lived there, and this recipe captures that same great taste in a perfectly portioned meal.
This recipe was inspired by a reader who pointed out that I didn’t have a BBQ Shrimp recipe on the site—even though I’m from New Orleans! She was right, and I’m excited to finally 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: This recipe uses 8 to 9 medium shrimp, about 5 ounces. Both fresh and frozen shrimp work well—just be sure to thaw frozen shrimp first. If you have extra, use them in Shrimp Quinoa Bowl, Shrimp Fettuccine, Shrimp Tacos, or Shrimp Fried Rice.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and umami. There’s no true substitute, but you can adjust the amount to taste.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed gives the best flavor, but bottled works if needed.
- Creole Seasoning: Adds spice and bold flavor. Use a store-bought blend or make your own, adjusting for salt and heat. We use Creole seasoning in many recipes, including Chicken Gumbo, Baked Chicken Thighs and Slow Cooker Chickpeas and Sausage.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder works in a pinch.
- Butter: Creates a rich, flavorful sauce.
How To Make BBQ Shrimp
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how make this small batch, New Orleans-inspired BBQ shrimp recipe. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Season the Shrimp: In a small bowl, toss the shrimp with Creole seasoning.
- Cook the Garlic: Melt butter in an 8-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Sear the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1 minute per side.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and remaining butter. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, spooning the sauce over the shrimp as it thickens.
- Serve: Transfer the shrimp to a plate and pour the sauce over the top.
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.
Serving Suggestions
This BBQ Shrimp is flavorful on its own, but here are a few great ways to serve it:
- French Bread: Perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
- Rice: Serve over white or brown rice for a heartier meal.
- Buttered Noodles: Toss with pasta and a little butter for a simple shrimp pasta dish.
- Sautéed Green Beans: A quick side that pairs well with the rich sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just be sure to thaw them first. You can do this quickly by running cold water over them for a few minutes.
It has a little heat from the Creole seasoning, but you can adjust the spice level by using less or making a mild version of Creole seasoning.
If you don’t have Creole seasoning, use a mix of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and black pepper.
Yes! Just double all the ingredients to make BBQ Shrimp for two.
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
- Season the Shrimp: In a small bowl, toss the shrimp with Creole seasoning.
- Cook the Garlic: Melt ½ tablespoon of butter in an 8-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Sear the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 1 minute per side.
- Make the Sauce: 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.
- Serve: Transfer the shrimp to a plate and pour the sauce over the top.Enjoy on its own or with a slice of French bread, white 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.