Cilantro lime shrimp is a quick dinner recipe that you can get on the table in less than 20 minutes. Full of bright citrus flavor with a little kick and perfect for a low carb, flavorful meal.
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We went to the beach last fall and it was glorious for a lot of reasons.
Number 1 – the beach was beautiful. It was our first trip to Destin, Florida and I was not expecting such beauty. The water was crystal clear and emerald green. The sand was white and soft.
Number 2 – the company was good. I went with my mama, daughter, and niece. I’m all about a girls’ trip and we all laughed together so much. <3
Number 3 – the food! Destin is a total foodie town. We had some of the best shrimp on this trip!
And now, of course, I’m on a mission to cook more shrimp at home now that the kids are more likely to eat it. My garlic butter shrimp is a favorite, right alongside this Cilantro Lime Shrimp.
We love the bright, bold citrus flavor with the little pops of cilantro. If you hate cilantro, you can always sub in parsley. Not as much flavor, but it still adds a pop of freshness to the shrimp.
Ingredient Notes:
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Shrimp – You’ll need large peeled and deveined shrimp.
Seasoning – I’m using a simple mix of salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper! You can add more or less of the cayenne to taste depending on your preference for spiciness. You can also swap the cayenne for chili powder to reduce the heat even more but keep some flavor.
Cilantro – Freshly chopped cilantro is going to add the best flavor here. If you’re looking for an alternative, parsley is a good choice too!
Garlic – We like plenty of freshly minced garlic with our shrimp! Jarlic works as well, if that’s what you keep on hand. 😉
Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice will provide the best flavor. You can use the bottled kind if necessary. Add a bit of lime zest for extra lime flavor!
Avocado Oil – You could also use olive oil or other types of oils here! We like avocado oil for all the healthy fats it adds.
- Flavor – The key to this shrimp recipe is the bright and citrusy mix of lime juice, cilantro, and seasoning. It really makes this shrimp shine and it pairs perfectly with just about any Mexican inspired recipe.
- Light – This is a light and healthy dish that you can enjoy without worry!
Citrus Juicer
Freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice is useful in lots of recipes, and this tool makes it easy and mess free.
How To Cook Cilantro Lime Shrimp:
- Prepare – To start, heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Swirl in a little avocado oil and let the pan get good and hot.
- Shrimp – Add your peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet. We left the tails on, because they photograph prettier that way, but feel free to do tail-off for easier eating. Season the shrimp with a little cumin and cayenne. Sprinkle on some salt as well.
- Sauté – Let the shrimp cook, stirring occasionally, until they’re cooked just about cooked through. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Garlic – Dump in a bunch of minced garlic and give everything a stir.
- Lime – Squeeze a lime over the shrimp. I love the bright flavor citrus gives to food!
- Finish – Remove the shrimp from the heat and sprinkle on a bunch of chopped cilantro. That’s it, friends! You have cilantro lime shrimp ready to eat!
How To Serve Cilantro Lime Shrimp:
Serve this over cauliflower rice or in bowls with cauliflower rice and your favorite toppings like sour cream. Double down on the citrus with my cilantro lime cauliflower rice!
Lettuce wraps work too if you’d like to make cilantro lime shrimp tacos! And of course low carb tortillas are another good option for shrimp tacos.
A side salad would also go well with this and so would my favorite keto coleslaw recipe!
FAQ’s:
You can keep leftover shrimp stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2 days. I’d recommend using it as soon as possible for the best flavor and freshness!
If using frozen shrimp, let it thaw according to the package instructions.
Yes, though again I’d recommend using fresh if you can. If you are using pre-cooked shrimp you’ll just need to sauté it for a shorter period of time, until it’s heated and mixed with the other ingredients.
MORE KETO SHRIMP RECIPES!
MORE LOW CARB DINNER RECIPES!
- Baked Cod: Ready in less than 30 minutes and only 1 net carb per serving!
- Best Pork Tenderloin Recipe: Did you know that my pork tenderloin is ready in less than 30 minutes? And ooh, it’s so good!
- Low Carb Soup: Calling all taco lovers!! This taco soup is so simple and can be made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker!
Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Ingredients
- 24 ounces large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne more to taste
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and sprinkle with the salt, cumin, and cayenne.
- Cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes or until shrimp is pink and opaque.
- Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute more.
- Remove from heat and add the lime juice and cilantro. Stir well to combine.
- Serve immediately.
Christine D Vear says
After trying this recipe I now buy shrimp regularly. Thanks so much for this. It’s so simple and easy and full of flavor.
Susie Kirkland says
I made this last night, but instead of cooking it on the stove top I put the oil in a baking sheet, added the shrimp, cilantro and seasonings, and then sliced two limes into thin rounds and placed the limes on top of the shrimp while cooking. I also squeezed some of the lime juice on the shrimp before cooking and after with the cooked limes. It came out fantastic! Thanks for the dinner inspiration!
Karly Campbell says
Sounds delicious!