Description
A quick and vibrant Zesty Mexican Garlic Shrimp recipe ready in 15 minutes, combining fresh garlic, zesty lime, and authentic Mexican spices for a bold, healthy, and protein-packed meal perfect for busy weeknights or fast family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Aromatics
- 1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Spices and Herbs
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Peel and devein the shrimp if necessary. Mince the garlic cloves finely and chop the fresh cilantro. Squeeze fresh lime juice and measure all spices to have everything ready for cooking.
- Heat the Pan: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and warm it until it shimmers but does not smoke, ensuring a proper sear on the shrimp.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper evenly over the shrimp. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque, flipping once.
- Add Garlic and Lime: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the shrimp and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt. Immediately squeeze lime juice over the shrimp and toss gently to coat.
- Finish with Cilantro: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the shrimp and give it a gentle stir to distribute the fresh herb flavor evenly before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for best flavor and texture; if using frozen, thaw completely and pat dry.
- Do not overcook shrimp to avoid a rubbery texture; watch for pink and opaque coloring.
- Add garlic towards the end of cooking to prevent bitterness.
- Adjust chili powder to match your preferred spice level.
- Always use freshly squeezed lime juice for the brightest flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 4 ounces shrimp)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg