This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

This Cilantro Lime Shrimp is a fun twist on a traditional shrimp recipe. If you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal for the family, this is it! It’s loaded with flavor from the garlic butter sauce and is ready in 10 minutes.

A plate of Cilantro Lime Shrimp garnished with herbs, served over white rice with lime wedges on the side. A dish of rice and fresh cilantro are in the background on a textured cloth.
Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

The combination of the Cilantro Lime Sauce ingredients makes a delicious topping to shrimp and chicken. This is the perfect dish to serve as an appetizer, over rice or in a flour tortilla. Prep time is minimal and it is a quick and easy meal that everyone will love.

If you love the flavors of cilantro lime, then you may love Cilantro Lime Rice, Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade, and Cilantro Lime Chicken Crockpot Recipe.

Why This Recipe Works

Shrimp is a family favorite seafood recipe. We have made Blackened Shrimp Tacos, Grilled Shrimp Skewers and Hibachi Shrimp Recipe all cooked quick and easy.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp is loaded with simple flavors and amazing taste. I can easily serve this shrimp in many ways and makes for a quick and healthy weeknight meal. Feel free to add in a teaspoon of red pepper flakes and chili powder to the sauce for an extra kick of spice.

Ingredients

A top-down view of ingredients for Cilantro Lime Shrimp preparation: a bowl of raw shrimp, bowls containing minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped cilantro, and olive oil, along with small dishes of salt, pepper, and spices arranged on a light surface.
  • Shrimp – We prefer to buy extra large shrimp that has been peeled and devein.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Use oil if your choice. Substitute with Vegetable Oil or Avocado Oil
  • Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
  • Lime – We recommend to use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. We have even added in a teaspoon of lime zest. Lemon juice can also work as a substitute.
  • Cilantro – Chop fresh cilantro. If you prefer you can use fresh basil or see these Best Cilantro Substitutes for other easy fresh herbs ideas.
  • Paprika – See Best Paprika Substitute if you are out
  • Cumin – Check out these Best Substitute for Cumin if you are out

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Shrimp

A bowl of Cilantro Lime Shrimp topped with minced garlic and ground spices sits invitingly, the zesty aroma wafting up. A wooden spoon rests in the bowl, ready for serving. Nearby, a striped kitchen towel adds a touch of charm to the light surface.

Step 1 – In a large bowl mix together the shrimp, olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, cilantro, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper,  Toss to coat the shrimp in the oil and seasonings. 

A frying pan with 13 cilantro lime shrimp, sprinkled with chopped herbs, placed on a light-colored surface. A striped cloth lies beside the pan.

Step 2 – Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer.  Let the shrimp cook for 1-2 minutes.  

  • Step 3 – Flip the shrimp over and cook the other side for 1-2 more minutes until the shrimp is cooked through and pink. You may have to work in batches depending on the size of your pan. 
  • Step 4 – Transfer the shrimp to a plate. Serve topped with more fresh lime juice and cilantro if desired.  Serve warm and enjoy! 

Expert Tips 

  • Marinating Shrimp – Do not marinade the shrimp in the mixture. Once the shrimp is coated, cook them immediately as the lime juice can cause the shrimp to be tough if marinated for longer than 10 minutes. 
  • Cooking Shrimp – Cooking shrimp will vary but once the shrimp is bring pink shade it has finished cooking. Make sure to cook both sizes of the shrimp so it cooks thoroughly.
A plate of cilantro lime shrimp garnished with herbs rests on a bed of white rice, accompanied by lime wedges and fresh cilantro leaves. The dish is elegantly set on a striped cloth.

What to Serve With Cilantro Lime Shrimp

This cilantro lime shrimp makes a delicious weeknight meal. We love to serve with a side of Instant pot White Rice Recipe with a side of Air Fryer Broccoli. We have even served shrimp over salad topped with diced avocado topped with a .

You may even like to serve these shrimp in lettuce wraps or Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos topped with this Cabbage Slaw Recipe, Guacamole Recipe and Homemade Salsa Recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type of Shrimp is Best for this Recipe

used raw shrimp with the tails-on for this recipe.  You can also use raw shrimp with the tails-off if you prefer.  The ones with the tails on where larger at my store, so that’s why I chose them for this recipe.
You can use precooked shrimp for this recipe, you will only need to cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes to heat it up since it has already been cooked.

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp?

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp just make sure that the shrimp has thawed before cooking shrimp. Thaw the shrimp in the fridge overnight in a bowl. You can also place the frozen shrimp in a bowl and run water over the shrimp while stirring to make sure all shrimp gets thawed.

How to Store Leftover Cilantro Lime Shrimp

Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

How to Reheat Leftover Shrimp

We recommend reheating shrimp in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. You can also reheat in the microwave or it is also delicious served cold.

A wooden spoon holds cilantro lime shrimp on a plate of white rice, garnished with fresh cilantro. Slices of lime and cilantro leaves are on the side.

More Shrimp Recipes to Make

We love to hear from you. If you make Cilantro Lime Shrimp Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

A plate of cilantro lime shrimp garnished with herbs rests on a bed of white rice, accompanied by lime wedges and fresh cilantro leaves. The dish is elegantly set on a striped cloth.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp

5 from 2 votes
Try this fun twist on a traditional shrimp scampi recipe. This cilantro lime shrimp scampi recipe is amazing and ready in 10 minutes.
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine Seafood
Course Main Course
Calories 147

Ingredients

Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly.

Instructions

  • In a large bowl mix together the shrimp, olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, cilantro, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper,  Stir to coat the shrimp in the oil and seasonings.
  • Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Once the pan is hot, add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer.  Let the shrimp cook for 1-2 minutes.
  • Flip the shrimp over and cook the other side for 1-2 more minutes until the shrimp is cooked through and pink. You may have to work in batches depending on the size of your pan.
  • Transfer the shrimp to a plate.
  • Serve topped with more fresh lime juice and cilantro if desired.  Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Do not marinade the shrimp in the mixture. Once the shrimp is coated, cook them immediately as the lime juice can cause the shrimp to be tough if marinated for longer than 10 minutes.
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 147kcal, Carbohydrates 4g, Protein 23g, Fat 4g, Saturated Fat 0.5g, Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g, Monounsaturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat 0.01g, Cholesterol 214mg, Sodium 1109mg, Potassium 227mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 0.3g, Vitamin A 460IU, Vitamin C 5mg, Calcium 103mg, Iron 1mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

Try these other recipes

Share this recipe!

PinYummly

About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave A Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Missy says:

    5 stars
    Awesome recipe. My family loved it.