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!
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.
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!
What You’ll Need For Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card to get the measurements and full instructions!
- 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
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.
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.
- Bowls – Chipotle 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.
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.
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.
- Cilantro Lime Rice or Instant Pot Spanish Rice
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges or Grilled Potato Packs
- Fruit Skewers or Berry Fruit Salad
- Roasted Asparagus or Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Tossed Salad or Tomato Mozzarella Salad
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.
More Easy Seafood Recipes
- Baked Cod
- Baja Shrimp Tacos
- Chipotle Shrimp Tacos
- Crispy Baked Shrimp
- Shrimp & Grits
- Shrimp Scampi
- Fish Tacos
Cilantro Lime Shrimp
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!
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, mined
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
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 Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 171Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 239mgSodium 1349mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 26g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.
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Allyson Zea
Wednesday 14th of June 2023
This flavor is SPOT ON! Loved it!
Catalina
Tuesday 13th of June 2023
Delicious and flavorful! The best shrimp dish for summer! Yum!
Beth
Monday 12th of June 2023
Citrus is such a classic combo with shellfish. I usually see it with lemon, so I'm eager to try this lime recipe.