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Plate of spicy voodoo shrimp with vibrant sauce and herbs

Fiery Voodoo Shrimp Skillet

This Fiery Voodoo Shrimp Skillet recipe delivers a burst of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors with plump shrimp coated in a rich, glossy sauce. Quick to prepare, it's perfect for a weeknight meal with a kick.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs large shrimp peeled and deveined (tails on or off)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1-3 tsp hot sauce e.g., Tabasco, Frank's RedHot, or your favorite high-heat sauce, adjusted to your spice preference
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for extra heat
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter cold and cut into cubes
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro chopped, for garnish
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Equipment

  • large skillet or pan
  • paper towels

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp dry with paper towels, then season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using), then stir to combine.
  5. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Increase heat to medium-high, add seasoned shrimp to the simmering sauce in a single layer, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.
  7. Remove skillet from heat, add cold butter cubes, and stir gently until melted to make the sauce glossy and smooth.
  8. Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Notes

This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up all the delicious sauce and can be adjusted with more or less hot sauce to suit your heat preference. For best results, avoid overcooking the shrimp as they can become tough quickly.