Cajun Butter Salmon & Shrimp Bake

Juicy salmon, tender shrimp, and rich Cajun butter — all baked on one tray. Perfect for quick dinners or meal prep.

 Time & Yield

• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 15–18 minutes
• Total: ~25 minutes
• Serves: 3–4

 Ingredients

Main

• 2 salmon fillets (about 180–200 g each)
• 250 g (½ lb) large shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Cajun Butter Sauce

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1½ tsp Cajun seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)

Optional Add-Ins

• 1 cup broccoli florets OR asparagus
• 1 small bell pepper, sliced
• Lemon slices (for baking)
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prep

• Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F)
• Line a baking tray with parchment paper or foil

2️⃣ Make Cajun Butter

In a bowl, mix:

• Melted butter
• Cajun seasoning
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Paprika, black pepper, salt, chili flakes

Mix well.

3️⃣ Assemble

• Place salmon fillets skin-side down on tray
• Add shrimp around the salmon
• Add veggies if using
• Drizzle olive oil lightly over shrimp/veggies
• Spoon Cajun butter generously over everything
• Top with lemon slices

4️⃣ Bake

• Bake uncovered for 15–18 minutes
• Salmon should flake easily
• Shrimp should be pink and opaque

 Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra caramelization.

5️⃣ Garnish & Serve

• Sprinkle with fresh parsley
• Serve hot with rice, quinoa, mashed potatoes, or salad

 Serving Ideas

• Garlic butter rice
• Lemon quinoa
• Roasted potatoes
• Low-carb: cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles

 Nutrition (Approx. per serving)

• Calories: 420–450
• Protein: 38–42 g
• Fat: 28 g
• Carbs: 5–8 g
• Omega-3: High

 Nut & Allergen Information

 Nut-Free

• No peanuts or tree nuts used in this recipe

 Other Allergens Present

• Fish (salmon)
• Shellfish (shrimp)
• Dairy (butter)

Safe Substitutions

• Dairy-free: use vegan butter or olive oil
• Shellfish-free: use only salmon or substitute shrimp with scallops (if tolerated)

 Q & A

Q1: Can I make this without butter?

Yes. Replace butter with:

• Olive oil
• Avocado oil
  Flavor will still be great, just less rich.

Q2: Is Cajun seasoning spicy?

Moderately.

• Reduce heat by using 1 tsp Cajun
• Skip chili flakes for mild taste

Q3: Can I use frozen shrimp or salmon?

Yes.

• Thaw completely
• Pat dry before baking to avoid water release

Q4: How do I know salmon is done?

• Internal temp: 63°C / 145°F
• Flesh flakes easily with fork

Q5: Can I cook this in an air fryer?

Yes

• Air fry at 190°C (375°F)
• Cook 10–12 minutes
• Shake shrimp halfway

Q6: Is this good for weight loss?

Yes.

• High protein
• Low carb
• Healthy fats
  Best served with veggies instead of rice.

Q7: Can I store leftovers?

• Refrigerate up to 2 days
• Reheat gently in oven or pan
   Not freezer-friendly (shrimp texture changes)

Q8: What if my shrimp cooks faster than salmon?

• Add shrimp 5 minutes after salmon if shrimp are small

• Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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