There are only about 1 net carb in this one-pan Keto Cajun Shrimp recipe. It only takes 20 minutes and one pan to make an easy low-carb dinner.
Cajun shrimp or the Cajun cream sauce for the shrimp? I can’t decide which I love more about this recipe. Regardless, this is a super simple recipe that takes about 20 minutes to make from start to finish.
For this recipe, I made my own Cajun shrimp seasoning because I know that not everyone has the ready-made kind on hand. Popcorn seasoning, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes are all mixed together to make Cajun shrimp seasoning. Simple!.
Enjoy the low-carb Cajun shrimp right away, or meal prep for later in the week. Whenever you eat the shrimp in Cajun cream sauce, I know you’re going to love it!.
Shrimp is a popular type of seafood that is often enjoyed in dishes like shrimp scampi, coconut shrimp, and shrimp cocktail. Many people following low-carb or keto diets wonder if shrimp can be part of their eating plan. In this article, we’ll take a look at the carb content of shrimp and how to incorporate it into a low-carb lifestyle.
Shrimp Nutrition Facts
Shrimp is low in carbohydrates and can fit into a low-carb or keto eating plan. Here are some key nutrition facts about shrimp:
- A 3-ounce serving of shrimp contains just 1 gram of carbohydrates and 1 gram of net carbs [1].
- Shrimp is a good source of protein, providing about 21 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving [1].
- It also contains some important micronutrients like selenium, vitamin B12 and iodine [1].
- Shrimp is low in fat and calories, with around 100 calories and 1.5 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving [1].
So shrimp itself contains minimal carbs and can definitely be part of a low-carb diet. However, it’s important to pay attention to how the shrimp is prepared and served, as breading, batters and high-carb sauces can increase the carb count significantly.
Is Breaded Shrimp Low Carb?
Breaded shrimp is higher in carbs than plain shrimp Here’s a comparison
- 3 ounces of breaded, fried shrimp contains about 10 grams of carbs [1].
- 3 ounces of plain boiled shrimp contains just 1 gram of carbs [1].
The breading adds a significant amount of carbohydrates. If you’re following a strict keto diet, breaded shrimp is generally not recommended.
However, for those following a more moderate low-carb diet, enjoying breaded shrimp occasionally may be fine, as long as it fits within your daily carb limit. Opt for a light breading made with low-carb ingredients like almond flour or pork rinds to minimize carbs
Is Shrimp Cocktail Low Carb?
Shrimp served with cocktail sauce is not the best low-carb option. A 1/2 cup serving of shrimp cocktail contains about 12 grams of carbs [1].
The shrimp itself is low-carb, but the sugar-laden cocktail sauce adds a large amount of carbohydrates. If you want to enjoy shrimp cocktail on a low-carb diet opt for shrimp without the cocktail sauce or make your own lower-carb cocktail sauce.
Low-Carb Ways to Eat Shrimp
Here are some delicious low-carb ways to prepare shrimp:
Grilled Shrimp
Season peeled, deveined shrimp with your favorite spices and grill until pink and opaque. Try seasoning mixes like cajun, jerk or garlic herb. Serve with vegetables or a low-carb salad.
Shrimp Scampi
Saute shrimp in butter, garlic, lemon juice and parsley for a quick and easy low-carb shrimp scampi. Zoodles make a perfect pairing.
Coconut Shrimp
For a crispy, flavorful low-carb version, coat shrimp in unsweetened shredded coconut and almond flour instead of traditional breadcrumbs before frying or baking.
Shrimp Tacos
Top low-carb tortillas or lettuce wraps with seasoned grilled shrimp, salsa, avocado and shredded cabbage for an easy taco night.
Shrimp Salad
Make a shrimp salad by combining cooked, chilled shrimp with mayo, lemon juice, diced celery and your favorite seasonings. Scoop into avocado halves or serve atop a bed of greens.
Shrimp Soup
Simmer shrimp in a hearty tomato or creamy cauliflower broth along with vegetables for a soothing low-carb soup.
5 Delicious Keto Shrimp Recipes
Here are some top-rated keto shrimp recipes that are under 5 net carbs per serving:
1. Easy Keto Shrimp Scampi
This quick skillet shrimp scampi comes together in just 20 minutes. Garlic, lemon and butter give the shrimp tons of flavor without any breading or high-carb ingredients. It’s under 3 net carbs per serving.
2. Keto Coconut Shrimp
Crispy coconut shrimp gets a keto makeover with almond flour and unsweetened coconut. Serve with a side salad or veggies for a fast low-carb dinner.
3. Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skillet
Spicy cajun seasoning gives the shrimp and sausage in this one-pan skillet tons of flavor. At just 2 net carbs per serving, it’s perfect for keto.
4. Keto Shrimp Tacos
Grab low-carb tortillas or lettuce wraps for these easy shrimp tacos. Top with spicy shrimp, avocado, cheese and all your favorite taco fixings.
5. Keto Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits
Buttery cauliflower stands in for traditional grits in this low-carb, Southern-inspired shrimp and grits recipe. It has just 3 net carbs per serving.
Is Shrimp Keto? The Verdict
Shrimp can definitely be part of a keto diet. It’s a high-protein, low-carb food that can be prepared in many delicious ways that fit within keto macros.
Stick to plain shrimp or use low-carb coatings and accompaniments, and be mindful of portions. Shrimp cocktails, breaded shrimp and shrimp dishes drenched in high-carb sauces are the exceptions that may need to be limited or avoided.
With so many tasty keto shrimp recipes to choose from, you can easily incorporate shrimp into your low-carb meal planning. Just focus on simple preparations using keto-approved ingredients to keep shrimp low-carb and keto-friendly.
References:
[1] https://www.wholesomeyum.com/is-shrimp-keto/
[2] https://thebestketorecipes.com/keto-cajun-shrimp-one-pan-20-minutes/
How to Store and Reheat Cajun Shrimp
Cajun Shrimp should be stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container up to four days. To make it again, put the shrimp and sauce in a skillet and cook on low heat until all the shrimp are warm.
There’s also the 30-second microwave option. Just make sure to stir the food a lot to make the heating even.
How to Make Cajun Shrimp
- Set a big skillet with a heavy bottom over medium-low heat to start. I prefer to use my cast iron skillet.
- Melt the butter in a pan, then add the shrimp, garlic, and spices. Stir the shrimp around a few times to make sure the spices are spread out evenly.
- The shrimp will start to turn pink after 3 to 4 minutes, but this will depend on how big your shrimp are. Add the additional butter and heavy cream.
- Cover and reduce the heat to low. If you let the butter melt all the way, a creamy Cajun sauce will form.
- Make sure to mix the shrimp around a lot so it’s covered completely. Serve right away. You can put fresh lemons, Parmesan cheese, or hot sauce on top if you want to.
Low-Carb Cajun Shrimp Bowl Recipe
Is shrimp a low carb meal?
An easy low carb dinner idea. Packed with zesty flavor.. Easy to make in 30 minutes. Keto friendly. Try serving the shrimp up over mashed cauliflower, with a side of Lemon Garlic Broccoli for an extra hearty low carb meal. And be sure to check out more of my low carb shrimp recipes here. Use de-veined shrimp.
Is shrimp healthy to eat?
Shrimp is very healthy to eat, unless you have an allergy to shellfish. Shrimp is great because it is a low calorie, high protein food that is relatively inexpensive. Shrimp is also very versatile, so there are many recipes out there, meaning that you can eat shrimp multiple times a week each time in a different way. Don’t make shrimp your only protein source, because a healthy diet is also a varied diet.
Are low-carb shrimp dinners keto-friendly?
Most of these quick and easy low-carb shrimp dinners recipes are also Keto-friendly and are exactly what you need for any night of the week. Shrimp is a low-carb staple ingredient, and we always have at least a bag of frozen wild-caught shrimps in our freezer at the studio.
How many carbs are in shrimp?
While shrimp and many crab species contain 0 carbohydrates, this is not true for all shellfish. For example, clams contain 5 grams of carbs, mussels have 7 grams, octopus have 4 grams, oysters also have 4 grams, and squid ring in at 3 grams of carbohydrates. [ 2 ] Shrimp are tiny little things but, man, do they pack a nutrient-dense punch.