Cilantro Lime Shrimp

5 from 1 vote
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A mouth-watering cilantro lime shrimp recipe that is the perfect choice for seafood lovers. With its zesty lime flavor and lots fresh cilantro, this dish is sure to impress. Try it out today!

a bowl of shrimp with a wooden serving spoon

 

Cilantro Lime Shrimp

This dish is the perfect combination of zesty lime and fresh cilantro with tender and juicy shrimp. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also incredibly simple to make, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. Whether you’re a seafood lover or just looking to try something new, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your cooking repertoire.

Plus, you can’t beat getting dinner on the table in just 15 minutes. And when you can pair it with so many things, you will never get bored.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy. It seriously does not get much easier than this. Just a few basic ingredients is all you need.
  • Fast. This is ready from start to finish in 15 minutes. If you are using small shrimp, it will be done even faster.
  • Healthy. Whether you are trying to go low-carb, high protein, low calorie, or just want something no full of cheese and oil, this has you covered!
cilantro lime shrimp ingredients

What You’ll Need For Cilantro Lime Shrimp

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

  • Large Shrimp – Pick up frozen shrimp from the grocery store, just make sure it is deveined.
  • Olive Oil
  • Chili Powder
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Garlic
  • Lime Juice
  • Cilantro
cooking shrimp in a skillet

How to Make Cilantro Lime Shrimp

  • Prep Shrimp. Depending on the type of shrimp you buy, you may need to remove the shell. If you can leave the tails on or take them off, that is up to you. Just make sure the vein is removed, and then pat them dry.
  • Season. Toss the shrimp together with the olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.
  • Cook. Add the seasoned shrimp to a hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side (may be more or less depending on the size of shrimp you use), until it is pink and cooked through.
  • Finish. Squeeze in the lime juice, and add the fresh cilantro. Stir together until the shrimp is evenly coated. Remove from the heat and serve.
cilantro added to shrimp in skillet

Serving Suggestions

This is a super simple shrimp recipe that you can serve multiple different ways, depending on what you are looking for. You can serve them as a main with whatever your favorite side dishes are. Or use the shrimp in a different way.

  • Tacos – fill tortillas with the shrimp, top with Mexican Coleslaw and your favorite taco toppings for a fun taco night
  • Salad – these shrimp will go perfectly on top of your favorite salad. They would make a great swap for the chicken in this Southwest Cobb Salad.
  • BowlsChipotle Chicken Bowls are a big hit, but swap out the chicken for shrimp and you have a loaded bowl that everyone will love.
  • Tostadas – these Shrimp & Avocado Tostadas are delicious, and these shrimp would add even more flavor.

How To Thaw Frozen Shrimp

I always buy a bag of frozen shrimp when it is on sale, so I can grab it quickly for busy weeknights. Here are your two basic methods for thawing them.

  • Easy Thaw Method: This is great if you have planned ahead, just take the bag of shrimp from the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
  • Quick Thaw: Method: This is what I do most of the time, because I don’t ever remember to take it out. Add the shrimp to a large bowl and fill with cold water. Let the shrimp sit for 10-15 minutes, strain out the water and repeat until the shrimp is thawed. This usually takes 2-3 times to thaw completely, but that will depend on the size of shrimp you are using.
cilantro lime shrimp in a white bowl with wedges of lime

Why Do You Leave The Tail On When Cooking

You will often see the tails left on shrimp, and this is because there is flavor in the tail. It seeps out into the shrimp as it cooks and just gives the dish more flavor. Yes, it is more work to take the tails off at the table when you are eating, but I think it is worth it for the taste. If you want to take them off to make serving easier, that is up to you.

What If I Don’t Like Cilantro

It is said that up to 14% of the population has a gene that makes cilantro taste like soap. If that is you, or someone you are cooking for, don’t use it! Fresh parsley makes a great substitute in any recipe that calls for cilantro.

a white bowl with cilantro lime shrimp

What Sides Go Well With Cilantro Lime Shrimp

As mentioned above, you can use the shrimp in all sorts of different ways. If you want to serve it on its own, here are a few great side dishes to complete the meal.

How To Store Leftover Shrimp

Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to 3 days. When you are ready to reheat.

  • Microwave:  I like to heat at 50% power with 30 second intervals, so that the shrimp doesn’t get too hot too fast. Shrimp in the microwave can get a little rubbery, so just keep an eye on it.
  • Stove:  You can also use the stovetop for a little bit better results. The key is to just warm the shrimp through, on a medium heat. You don’t want to cook them further, so don’t use too high of heat.
a white bowl with cilantro lime shrimp

More Easy Seafood Recipes

cropped close up white bowl with shrimp
5 from 1 vote

Cilantro Lime Shrimp

By Erin
A mouth-watering cilantro lime shrimp recipe that is the perfect choice for seafood lovers. With its zesty lime flavor and lots fresh cilantro, this dish is sure to impress. Try it out today!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a bowl toss together the shrimp, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper until well coated.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the shrimp and spread into a single layer.
  • Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side (it will depend on the size of your shrimp how quickly they will cook).
  • Once the shrimp are pink, and opaque, they should be cooked through. Toss with lime juice and fresh cilantro to coat.
  • Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 239mg | Sodium: 1349mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 171
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About Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and Iโ€™m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, youโ€™ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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5 Comments

  1. Citrus is such a classic combo with shellfish. I usually see it with lemon, so I’m eager to try this lime recipe.