Blackened Shrimp Cucumber Appetizer

These spicy blackened shrimp have the heat of blackening seasoning, offset by the cool crispy crunch of the cucumbers. A fantastic appetizer that’s both easy and elegant!

These Blackened Shrimp and Cucumber appetizers are SO crunchy and flavorful and SO easy that you’ll be making them all summer long!

Why You’ll Love this Appetizer

Spicy Blackened Shrimp Recipe – This recipe is tossed in a homemade blackened seasoning made of cayenne, red chili flakes, paprika, onion and garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and dried thyme and oregano. The mixture of these spices creates a bold and spicy flavor that is perfect on not only shrimp, but can also be used to blacken fish, chicken and other meats and vegetables.

Easy Shrimp Appetizer – This fancy appetizer comes together in less than 15 minutes.

Bold, Flavorful & Refreshing – These shrimp cucumber bites combine a bit of spicy, crunchy and refreshing flavors all into one bite.

Healthy – This appetizer is not only low in calories but also keto friendly, low carb, gluten free, grain free and paleo.

How to Make a Blackened Shrimp Cucumber Appetizer

Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe card with exact measurements and recipe instructions.

1. Mix & Chill the Cucumbers – Combine the sliced cukes with olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper, and cilantro and chill in the refrigerator.
2. Prepare the Blackening Seasoning – Combine the spices and blacken the shrimp with oil and seasoning.
3. Sear the Shrimp – On skillet or grill pan sear the shrimp for a few minutes on each side.

Blackened Shrimp and Cucumber Tips & Variations

Reduce the Heat – If you prefer a milder appetizer, you can easily add a little less paprika, cayenne and red chili flakes.

Use Quality Ingredients – The key to this appetizer is fresh, high-quality ingredients. Select firm, crisp cucumbers, fresh shrimp and spices that aren’t past the expiration date.

Blackened Shrimp on the Grill – The shrimp can be pan seared in a skillet on a grill as well. You can also thread the shrimp onto skewers and sear on the grill or a grill pan over a medium high heat.

More Ways to Serve Blackened Shrimp – There are so many ways to enjoy blackened shrimp. I love them with tacos, in lettuce wraps or on top of a salad, rice or pasta. Grilled vegetables and blackened shrimp are another tasty and healthy combination. The cucumbers can be swapped out with crackers or crusty bread slices too!

Continue to Content

Blackened Shrimp Cucumber Appetizer

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

These spicy blackened shrimp have the heat of blackening seasoning, offset by the cool crispy crunch of the cucumbers. A fantastic healthy appetizer that’s both easy and elegant!

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Ingredients

For the Cucumbers

• 16 –20, ½ -inch-thick English cucumber slices
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped cilantro

For the Blackened Shrimp

• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp dried ground thyme
• 1 tsp dried ground oregano
• ¼ to ½ tsp. cayenne, adjust to your heat index
• ¼ to ½ tsp. red chili flakes, adjust to your heat index
• 16 –20, about 1¼ lbs. total large deveined tail-on shrimp
• 2 tbsp butter
• cooking spray or oil

Instructions

1. Put the sliced cukes in a bowl and mix with the olive oil, lime juice, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Prepare the blackening seasoning by combining the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, sea salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, cayenne, and red chili flakes in a shallow baking dish or pie plate; blend together well. Coat the shrimp with cooking spray and put a few at a time in the blackening seasoning to coat all over. Set aside. Repeat until all the shrimp are coated.
3. In a large (10- to 12-inch) heavy skillet melt the butter over medium heat. Let the skillet get hot. Place a few shrimp in (don’t crowd) and pan-sear on each side for 1½ to 2 minutes. Remove seared shrimp to a plate. If you need to add cooking spray to the skillet to keep it from sticking, have at it. Serve the blackened shrimp with the cucumbers on the side (I serve the shrimp on top of each cucumber slice).

Notes

The shrimp can be pan seared in a skillet on a grill as well. You can also thread the shrimp onto skewers and sear on the grill or a grill pan over a medium high heat.

Recipe from Ally's Kitchen, a passport for adventurous palates (posted with permission from the lovely Ally herself).

Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 187Saturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 76mgSodium: 1203mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g

This recipe for Blackened Shrimp with Crispy Chilled Cucumbers comes straight from Ally’s Kitchen Cookbook – it’s a gem (posted with permission from the lovely Ally herself)!! Ally describes this blackened shrimp recipe in her cookbook, saying that “these spicy shrimp have the heat of blackening seasoning, offset by the cool crispy crunch of the cucumbers”, and she is spot-on.

I hope you’ll give these Blackened Shrimp with Crispy Chilled Cucumbers a try and do check out Ally’s amazing cookbook – it’s a gem!!

Try the delicious shrimp recipes next!

• Cajun Shrimp and Grits
• Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Recipe
• Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce)
• Parmesan Shrimp
• Shrimp and Sausage Boil

• Author
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Kristy Bernardo

Kristy Bernardo is the recipe creator behind The Wicked Noodle. She's a five-time cookbook author, has taught cooking classes to both kids and adults, and has been creating recipes for nationwide brands since 2009. She learned most of her cooking skills from her mom and grandmother, then honed those skills at boot camp at the Culinary Institute of America.

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