Bahama Breeze Skillet Simmered Jerk Shrimp just like you order it at the restaurant! If you like the buttery, spicy, garlicy shrimp at Bahama Breeze, you’ll love this!
If you love the buttery, spicy, garlicy, Skillet Simmered Jerk Shrimp at the Bahama Breeze restaurant, you will absolutely love this recipe.
The Caribbean flavor of the Jamaican Jerk Seasoning spice explodes in your mouth with hints of allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne and cumin. A touch of dried jalapenos (in the seasoning spice) and freshly diced Serrano chilis in the dish, round out the heat, giving you that sweet/spicy flavor we all crave in a perfectly seasoned jerk dish.
I’ve been working at this recipe for a long time, and I think it’s nearly identical to Bahama Breeze restaurant’s Skillet Simmered Jerk Shrimp, only better because it’s slightly spicer with a great combination of flavors in the home-made Jamaican Jerk Seasoning.
Finally, no more long drives and fork-fights over the last shrimpy!
You might be tempted to buy the jerk seasoning from the grocery store or a specialty store (and no-one’s going to stop you!), but with this recipe, go the extra step and make your own Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, because that’s what makes this shrimp dish really sing.
Serve this with a nice crunchy, crusty bread sliced and warmed straight from the oven – because you’ll want to dip it into the buttery salsa-like juices!
p.s. the recipe calls for 8-10 sprigs of thyme. That is how they serve it at the restaurant with the 8-10 sprigs on top (yes, I counted them!), but I forgot to add them in before I baked it, which is why you don’t see them in the photo! If you make it at home, and do it right (unlike I did), your dish will look slightly different. I’ll update the photo the next time I make this delectable dish. The photos have been updated with sprigs of thyme included, like they should be.
Enjoy!
- ¼ cup light beer
- ¼ cup chopped roma tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon diced green pepper
- 1 tablespoon diced red onion
- 2 teaspoons roughly chopped garlic
- 2 teaspoons finely diced Serrano chili pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onion (scallions)
- ½ tablespoon chopped thyme
- 1 teaspoon Jamaican Jerk spice
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 12 raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails on
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 8-10 thyme sprigs
- 1 loaf Parisian bread
- Preheat oven to 500ºF.
- Place beer, spices and herbs (up to cilantro) in a small cast iron skillet, then add the shrimp. Pour the melted butter over the top of the shrimp and top with thyme sprigs.
- Slice the loaf of bread into 1-inch thick slices and wrap in tinfoil.
- Place cast iron skillet of shrimp and wrapped bread on the middle rack of the oven.
- Bake 5 - 7 minutes or until shrimp is done.
- Remove shrimp and bread from oven and serve.
Post and photos updated 11/11/2014.
Bahama Breeze Skillet Simmered Jerk Shrimp
Wow, I love shrimp and this stuff looks fabulous. I cannot wait to have this with a side of freshly baked homemade bread… yum, it sounds amazing!! xx
Enjoy! I hope you love it!
This looks AWESOME! Loving all those spices!
The sauce is amazing dipped with crusty bread. Try it!
Had this at Bahama Breeze 3 days ago, made this version tonight. Nearly identical, thanks for the hard work of deciphering each ingredient, it came out awesome!
Thank you so much for the perfect compliment! I think they are nearly identical as well – so I am SO glad you found it the same. It was a lot of work (and a lot of renditions), but this is it! Thank you for commenting – I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it!
I’ve been looking for this recipe! I haven’t had this in almost ten years! That bread in the sauce is phenomenal!
Thanks Gabriel! It took me a while to re-create it, but I think I’ve nailed it. I hope you love it too! Have a wonderful weekend!
What brand of beer and Jamaican spice do you use?
The good news is – you can use any light beer. I likely used Negra Modelo (light, not dark). And, the Jamaican Spice recipe I used is posted here on my site: Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Enjoy! I hope you love it as much as we did!
I am so excited to try this, you have no idea. We have enjoyed the dish for years, I just tried it last week from the restaurant recipe, which I knew was not on spot, as you can clearly tell simply from the tomatoes and peppers and amount of garlic, but even when adding those it was a dismal failure. I was not thrilled to start trying to figure it out, so thankful that you took the time! Will be trying soon!
I am so glad!!! We loved the dish for years too – and I tried their online recipe (just like you did), but they were not even remotely the same. I worked for a long time, and I think this is nearly spot on – so I am so glad you’ll be trying it!!! Be sure to come back and tell me what you think. This is one of our favorite dishes!
Here in the UK it is quite difficult to get serrano chilli pepper. Any alternatives?
Great question! Here is a great reference for alternatives by Scoville unit (the heat in the peppers)! I hope you find it helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale
I can’t seem to find any of those in the UK :(. Guess Jalepenos will have to do ?
Yes! Jalapenos will work. You may need to add a touch more if you want the same amount of heat. Most people though don’t like it as spicy as I do! 🙂 Good luck. I think jalapenos will be just fine!
Thank You Thank You. My family & I love this @ Bahama Breeze. You are Amazing. It was Great
I’m sssooo glad you like it Keysha! Tomorrow I am posting new/improved pictures. I’ll send you a link. I think you’ll be amazed at the difference! Thanks for commenting – I sssooo much appreciate it! It means the world to me – it really does!
It’s so funny I was literally eating Jerk shrimp when I saw this post! I work at Bahama Breeze, and I haven’t tried your version, but the ingredient list looks pretty spot on! I can’t think of anything off-hand that you’re missing, looks great!
DeeDee I can’t tell you how happy this comment makes me! Such high praise! We adore Bahama Breeze, and that shrimp is one of my favorite things to make on the menu. To think that I actually hit the recipe spot on (which I *thought* I did), but knowing it is the highest compliment ever! Thank you so much!!! Have a Happy New Year!!!
So excited to try this! Is there a substitution for people who can’t have alcohol? Also where would I find the dried peppers for the jerk seasoning? Thanks!
Hi Angee! I haven’t tried it myself, but if I were to replace the alcohol, I would try a beef, chicken or mushroom broth or stock. Non-alcoholic beers may also be substituted. I’m so glad you like the recipe! Also, you should be able to find the dried peppers at QFC! I hope that helps!
This looks AMAZING and is totally something I can eat with all my food allergies! YAY!
Awesome! I’m so glad it meets the right balance and works with your allergies. Winner, winner!
I love shrimp and this looks so good! I rarely cook shrimp because I just don’t know how to change it up. I will have to try this out.
You MUST try it Sharon. This is a near identical recipe to Bahama Breeze, and it’s amazing! I hope you love it like we do.
OMG this looks AMAZING! I cannot wait to make this recipe!
http://vestdressed.com
You’ll love it Haley! It’s a great (near identical) copycat recipe that you can make it at home!
My oh my, this looks delectable! Adding it to the list of recipes to make! Thanks so much for sharing!
http://www.sydnestyle.com
I’m so glad you love it Sydne. I can’t wait for you to try it – I know you’ll love it. Then come back and share your experience with me!
These shrimp look amazing, can’t wait to try this! My kids love shrimp so this will be on next week’s menu. Thanks for sharing!
Yeah! Amazing – I can’t believe your kids love shrimp. Kids are usually so picky, but I can tell you, they will love this! Have a great week Sara!
That looks really good – I keep meaning to try Jerk Seasoning!
I love making my own seasonings. You can make them perfectly to your spice preference – which is what I just love!
This just looks so good….what a mouthwatering dish 🙂
Thanks Tammy! It honestly is one of our very favorites – so I can see how you are tempted.
what a gorgeous looking dish Kristi! I sounds delicious too!
Thank you Cynthia! This is definitely one of our favorites. I’m so glad you like it!
Well…you had me at shrimp and dunking the bread in the pan juices! Yum!
Thanks Ally! That is one of my favorite parts too – it’s all in the dunking in the sauces!
Kristi – This looks phenomenal! I’ve never made jerk shrimp before, looks fabulous. Thanks for such an awesome recipe, can’t wait to try. Love all that fresh thyme.
Thank you Allie! You should definitely try it. This one is amazing – and one of our favorites! Have a great week!
I found out what type of beer Bahama Breeze uses. It is bud light believe it or not.
Really? Who knew! Thanks for posting. I’ll try that next time.
THANK YOU for posting this. Fabulous dish that as a college student I can’t afford to go the restaurant often. I tried the recipe from the Bahama Breeze website (recipe calls for 1/2 cup any beer); the beer flavor overpowered the dish, and the only spice it called for (allspice) resulted in a very bland flavor (not very tasty or close to the restaurant flavors), not flavorful enough for dipping bread. I dumped out most of the beer, and added water to it (to dilute the beer flavor), and then added all your spices from your jerk seasoning and OMG it was amazing. I dipped my bread away at that point and can’t wait to make this again the RIGHT way. I could barely tell the difference from the restaurant flavor. You must have very good sense of taste (that seasoning recipe is so long but so worth it). Cheers from Washington 🙂
Thank you so much for the nice comment Kristy! I am really glad you tried this and loved it. 🙂
Good recipe and similar taste, but nothing like bahama breezes. I used to work there. First it’s not baked and second the texture is finer, more minced, for dipping, similar to the texture of tapenade. 1 green pepper 1/2 onion 1 or 2 peppers mince everything including cilantro. Add 1/2 teaspoon smoked peprika. Everything else the same. Simmer everything for 10 mins occasionally stirring then add shrimp and simmer 6 minutes or grill the shrimp with some jerk seasoning, cook mix 15 minutes and add shrimp when mix is done. this is the best result, better than BBs.
I’ll try it Ben! Thanks for the comments. And, I’m glad you like it.
Wow! Had been craving this dish but didn’t want to go out for it. Found this recipe and it was nearly identical!! Thank you so much for this. First time my fiance ever complimented me on my cooking 😉
GAH! That comment makes me so happy Aisha! And, I’m glad you love it too – it’s one of our favorites.
Going to try this tonight because it was delicious at Bahama breeze!
You will love it Wendy. Enjoy! 🙂
I must say this recipe was on point, taste exactly like Bahama breeze’s. Thank you.
Thank you! I am so glad you like it!
I just tried this recipe and OMG it is almost identical to the real one. Thank you so much for your time and effort to figure out the ingredients. This is my favorite dish from Bahama Breeze. You are the real MVP. I wish I could give you a big hug 🙂
Hahaha! Thanks Cassandra. I’m so glad you like it!
I made this as a full meal for my family and tripled the recipe and it came out great. They loved it. Awesome dinner now they ask for it all the time
So glad! We love this recipe too! It’s one of our favorites.