Cilantro lime shrimp is a combination of steamed shrimp, cilantro, lime, garlic, and oil. It tastes great as an appetizer, stuffed in an avocado or served over a bed of greens. It's just perfect for warm weather entertaining or simple and light dinner.
The Ingredients
- Shrimp
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Garlic
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Fresh Packed Cilantro
A Simple Shrimp Recipe
This is a simple little dish filled with fresh and vibrant flavors.The combination of cilantro, lime and garlic is always a refreshing blend, and it is a match made in heaven for mild tasting shrimp.
Rather than sauteeing the shrimp, I steam them quickly, drain them and toss them in the cilantro, lime and oil mixture. The result is a light and delicate, yet full of flavor shirmp dish.
Serve cilantro lime shrimp at room temperature or make it ahead of time and serve it chilled. Our personal preference is chilled and over a bed of greens.
Here's How to Make it
This is a very quick recipe to make. While the shrimp is cooking and cooling, chop the garlic and cilantro. Prepare the dressing by combining the olive oil, chopped garlic, cilantro and citrus juices. Once the shrimp has been drained and slightly cooled add the dressing and serve at room temperature or cold.
Total Estimated Time to Make this Recipe: 20 to 30 Minutes
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Recipe Tips & Variations
How to easily devein shrimp
The easiest way to devein shrimp is to remove the peel from the shrimp starting from the underside by pinching the legs and pulling the shell off. Once the shell is removed, use a pairing knife to make a slit down the back of the shrimp to remove the intestine, then rinse.
How to perfectly cook shrimp on top of the stove
Add water to a suacepan to fill it about ¼ way, cover and bring the water to a boil. Once the water boils, add the cleaned shrimp to the saucepan and cover.
Allow the water to come to a boil again (this will happen quickly). As soon as the water boils, remove the covered pan from the heat and let is sit for a few minutes until the shrimp turns pink and feel tender. Rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process.
Recipe Variations
- Use all lemon juice and chopped parsley or a combination of chopped parsley and cilantro with lemon juice.
- Add Spice. Chop a jalapeno pepper and add it to the dressing
Here Are a Few More Recipes that you Might Enjoy
- Shrimp Cakes
- Shushi Bowls
- Healthy Kale Caesar Salad
- Chopped Greek Salad with Lemon Dressing
- Tomato Basil Feta Pasta Salad
📖 Recipe
Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice - about 1 to 2 limes and ½ to 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 to 4 cloves of crushed garlic to taste
- ½ cup fresh packed cilantro
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients
- Add to a medium sized sauce pan water filled ¼ of the way and place over medium to high heat
- Clean and devein the shrimp (a pairing knife or a shrimp cleaner works well for this)
- Remove the thick bottom stems from the cilantro and set them aside. Chop the upper portion of the cilantro with a sharp knife including the thin stems.
- Crush the garlic using a garlic crusher and place into a jar or small bowl
- Squeeze and measure the lime and lemon juices, and place in a jar or small bowl. Little mason jars work well for this.
Make the shrimp
- Once the water boils, add the shrimp - cover it and turn off the heat
- Allow the shrimp sit for 4 to 5 minutes until it is cooked through
- Drain and rinse the cooked shrimp in cold water to stop the cooking
- Place the cooked shrimp into a bowl
Make the dressing
- Remove the bottom stems from the cilantro and set aside
- Using a food processor or sharp knife chop the cilantro and add it to the jar with the measured juices and garlic
- Add the olive oil and shake the jar or whisk with a fork to combine
Assemble the Dish
- Add the chopped cilantro, and pour the mixture over the shrimp
- Serve the shrimp at room temperature or refrigerate and serve chilled
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
Christina Shoemaker says
Cilantro and lime just belong together! These look like the perfect appetizer for holiday parties! I'm already in that frame of mind and it's only early September. 😉 Delicious!
Lindsey Dietz says
Cilantro + lime is probably my favorite flavor combo for savory foods! It's the Tex-Mex girl in me. This looks so delish!
Tessa Simpson says
Simple, quick goodness!! Love the bright lime flavor highlight...this meal is ready SO quickly!
Joni Gomes says
I've been craving shrimp lately, and I love how simple this is! The shrimp gets a chance to come through with those complimenting flavors!
Renee Kohley says
Love the simple ingredients - so fresh and I bet tastes so good! Thank you!
Jean says
There's nothing better than the combination of cilantro and mine! I love how simple this recipe is but it looks like it has a ton of flavor and I love how quickly it comes together!
linda spiker says
So simple and lovely! Shrimp make such a pretty meal!
Annemarie says
I love this flavor combo for shrimp. Such a quick and easy recipe!
Megan Stevens says
Delicious!! We tend toward scampi or soups with shrimp, so it will be really fun to change it up with this yummy flavor profile! Thank you!
Yang says
I love this recipe! I am a big fan of eating boiled/steamed foods with delicious dressing. This is such a creative idea and I will have to try.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
Ok this is weird, this is third post I have read today that had a shrimp recipe and I swear I wasn't searching for shrimp recipes! I love shrimp and cilantro so this sounds perfect for me!
anne says
it's one of those days!
Kim S says
Loving this recipe! You’ve combined 2 of my favorite flavors together!
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says
Cilantro and lime are just the best combo, and so perfect for seafood! I love a flavorful simple recipe, so I can't wait to try these out!
ChihYu Smith says
Love all the flavor of this recipe. Simply gorgeous!
Kathryn says
I love the cilantro and lime flavors! It's been awhile since we've had shrimp, this is the perfect recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica says
Love ALL the flavours in this dish! What's not to love about cilantro and lime and shrimp??
Definitely one of my favourites! Thanks!
shelby says
Cilantro and lime are two of my favorite flavors, and I love shrimp. This recipe looks delicious!
anne says
Thanks Shelby!
Caroline says
I love these flavors, this would be great as a make ahead appetizer.
Kate says
Such bright flavors! I love this!
Stephanie says
I love all the fresh ingredients you used! Shrimp is such a great blank canvas to soak up all these delicious flavors. Can’t wait to try
Jenna says
Yum! I love the combination of cilantro, lime, and shrimp. Saving for a taco night before the end of summer!
anne says
Thanks Jenna! I bet this would taste great on tacos!
Raia Todd says
Love the pairing of citrus with the seafood! So yummy!
Jean Choi says
Love shirmp recipes, and this looks so delicious! All the spices and herbs I love in one dish.
Irena Macri says
I love shrimp and if you get good quality, fresh stuff, you really don't need to do much to it and that's why I loved this recipe so much. A little garlic, citrus and cilantro and you have such a beautiful dish. Thanks for sharing!
ChihYu says
Cool, savory and delicious!
paleoglutenfreeguy says
I love cold shrimp. Why do I never think to make it this way? Thanks for the great idea!
Cathy says
What a delicious combination! I love shrimp and cilantro!
STACEY CRAWFORD says
This is simple & so delicious. I adore shrimp with cilantro & lime so this is a keeper!
Linda says
This cilantro lime shrimp recipe sounds so refreshingly good. I love the way you let the shrimp soaks in flavors without fry or grill them. Super easy and yet super flavorful.
Erin says
Ooooh, cilantro lime! Love that combination. This sounds really incredible!
anne says
Thanks Erin!
Heather says
Looks like a quick and easy meal that is perfect for summer
Jennifer says
Was looking for a quick shrimp recipe with lime and cilantro. I usually marinate and grill but I loved the simplicity of this and the fact that it was served cold. Great flavor combination. Thank you
Anne says
Thank you Jennifer, I'm glad you liked it!