If you love bold Cajun flavors, this shrimp and smoked turkey sausage skillet might become a regular dinner favorite. The buttery garlic sauce coats every bite and gives this easy seafood dinner plenty of Southern-style flavor, all coming together in just 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Shrimp and sausage together. Both proteins bring their own texture and flavor to this hearty skillet.
- That Cajun garlic butter sauce. Rich, glossy, and packed with seasoning, it coats everything beautifully.
- Bold Southern-style flavor. Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, and a touch of cayenne bring real depth.
- Ready in 30 minutes. A satisfying dinner that comes together fast in one skillet.
Ingredients
- 2 lb jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
- 14 oz smoked turkey sausage, sliced into thick rounds
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 7 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- ¾ cup seafood or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
How to Make Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp & Smoked Turkey Sausage
1. Brown the smoked turkey sausage. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the smoked turkey sausage and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until nicely browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
2. Sear the shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry and season with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Add the shrimp to the same skillet and sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove while the shrimp are still slightly undercooked.
3. Make the garlic butter. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Build the Cajun sauce. Pour in the broth. Stir in the remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, Old Bay, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the Cajun garlic butter sauce becomes slightly reduced and glossy.
5. Bring everything together. Return the shrimp and smoked turkey sausage to the skillet. Toss thoroughly in the garlic butter sauce and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
6. Finish and serve. Stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Spoon plenty of the Cajun garlic butter sauce over the shrimp and sausage and serve hot.
Tips for the Best Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Skillet
- Pull the shrimp while slightly undercooked in the first sear. They’ll finish cooking when returned to the sauce, keeping them tender instead of rubbery.
- Let the sausage brown well. This builds extra flavor that carries through the whole dish.
- Simmer the sauce until glossy and slightly reduced. This concentrates the flavor before the shrimp and sausage go back in.
- Adjust the cayenne to taste. It’s optional, so you can leave it out for a milder dish or add extra for more heat.
What to Serve with Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp & Sausage
This dish pairs beautifully with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. A simple side salad also works well if you want something lighter alongside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different sausage?
Yes, andouille sausage is a traditional and flavorful alternative if you’d like even more smoky depth.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat very dry before searing so they brown properly instead of releasing excess water.
Can I make this less spicy?
Yes, omit the cayenne pepper and use a milder Cajun seasoning if you prefer less heat.
Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp & Smoked Turkey Sausage
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the smoked turkey sausage and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until nicely browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Pat the shrimp dry and season with 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Add the shrimp to the same skillet and sear for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove while the shrimp are still slightly undercooked.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and diced onion and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the broth. Stir in the remaining Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, Old Bay, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the Cajun garlic butter sauce becomes slightly reduced and glossy.
- Return the shrimp and smoked turkey sausage to the skillet. Toss thoroughly in the garlic butter sauce and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
- Stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Spoon plenty of the Cajun garlic butter sauce over the shrimp and sausage and serve hot.
