Refreshing Chilled Cilantro Lime Shrimp

Chilled cilantro lime shrimp combines the flavors of succulent chilled shrimp with fresh lime juice, garlic, olive oil and cilantro. It’s a delicious medley of flavors that capture the essence of summer any time of the year.

cilantro lime shrimp on top of baby arugula on a plate

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This recipe is one of our favorite summer cold dinners or a tasty appetizer during the holidays. Whenever you serve it, it will be a hit as each bite offers a balance of textures and flavors.

Why you will love it

  • It’s a refreshing, healthy salad perfect for hot summer days.
  • Cilantro lime shrimp salad is versatile; customize the salad to your taste. See the recipe variations below
  • Easy! You will only need a few ingredients to make this recipe.
cilantro lime shrimp ingredients photo containing shrimp, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, olive oil

Here is what you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

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Ingredients

    cilantro lime shrimp on a plate with a fork

    How to make chilled cilantro lime shrimp salad

    Prepare the ingredients: Peel and clean the shrimp. Squeeze the lemon and lime juice, chop the garlic and cilantro.

    shrimp cooking in a pan

    STEP 1: Fill a medium-sized saucepan with water until it’s one-quarter full. Cover the pan and heat it over medium-high heat until the water boils. Then, add the raw shrimp to the pan, cover it again, and turn off the heat. Let the shrimp cook in the hot water for 10-15 minutes.

    cilantro lime shrimp salad dressing being mixed in a bowl

    STEP 2: Whisk together the chopped garlic, lemon juice, lime juice and olive oil in a small bowl.

    shrimp in a collander

    STEP 3: After thoroughly cooking the shrimp, drain and rinse it with cold water.

    shrimp salad mixed in a bowl

    STEP 4: Place the cooled shrimp in a big bowl. Add the dressing and chopped cilantro and mix it all together.

    cilantro lime shrimp close up overhead view

    How to store leftovers

    Leftover cilantro lime shrimp salad can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days.

    How to make cilantro lime shrimp ahead of time

    This is an easy recipe to make ahead of time. Simply prepare the recipe in the recipe card. Store it in the refrigerator for up to a day. Toss it with greens just before serving.

    Recipe variations

    Grilled -Instead of steaming the shrimp, marinate them in lime juice, olive oil, and cilantro garlic then grill the shrimp until they are cooked through. Toss them in the dressing and salad greens.

    Citrus – Use all lemon juice and chopped parsley or a combination of chopped parsley and cilantro with lemon juice.

    Spicy – chop a jalapeno pepper, chili powder or add red pepper flakes to the dressing.

    Serving suggestions

    Serve this tender shrimp as salad with a side of pasta salad or potato salad. These tasty shrimp also make a great addition to a charcuterie board or your favorite salad recipes.

    Tips

    • Be sure to use the freshest ingredients such as fresh shrimp instead of frozen.
    • Let the flavors meld: allow for the shrimp to sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving it.
    • Taste and adjust the dressing to achieve the right balance of flavors. The lime juice should be bright while the cilantro and garlic should not overpower the salad.
    Can I use dried cilantro if I don’t have fresh?

    Since this salad is made with fresh ingredients, I highly recommend using fresh cilantro. Dried cilantro will not have the same fresh flavor.

    What is the best way to chop fresh cilantro?

    Place the cilantro on a cutting board and pinch the stems together; use a sharp knife to chop the stems off. Then fold the bunch in half and use a rocking motion with the knife to chop the cilantro.

    cilantro lime shrimp with a lime slice on a plate
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    cilantro lime shrimp with a lime slice on a plate

    Cilantro Lime Shrimp

    Cilantro lime shrimp is a flavorful combination of shrimp, lime juice and garlic.
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Chilling time (optional): 30 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes

    Click on serving size to scale this recipe

    Course: Salads and Salad Dressing Recipes
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 454kcal
    Author: Anne

    Find process photos and variations in the blog post:

    Cilantro Lime Shrimp

    Equipment

    Scale this Recipe 2

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound shrimp cleaned and deveined
    • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice about 2 limes
    • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
    • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 3 to 4 cloves of crushed garlic to taste
    • 1/2 cup fresh packed cilantro chopped

    Instructions

    • Prepare the ingredients:  Peel and clean the shrimp. Squeeze the lemon and lime juice, chop the garlic and cilantro.
    • Fill a medium sized saucepan with water until it's one quarter full. Cover the pan and heat it over medium-high heat until the water boils. Add the shrimp to the pan, cover it again and turn off the heat. Let the shrimp cook in the hot water for 10 to 15 minutes.
    • While the shrimp is cooking, whisk together the chopped garlic, lemon juice, lime juice and olive oil in a small bowl.
    • Once the shrimp are cooked, drain and rinse them with cold water and pat dry.
    • Place the cooked shrimp into a mixing bowl and pour the dressing and cilantro over the top and mix everything together. Serve over a bed of greens or as is at room temperature or chilled.

    Notes

    Serve chilled or at room temperature plain or tossed with salad greens.
    Leftovers will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator
     
    Shrimp is s perfectly cooked once the outside turns pink and the flesh turns translucent.  Shrimp cooks quickly, you can avoid over-cooking the shrimp by turning off the heat once the shrimp are added to the boiling water.  Wait a few minutes until they turn pink and feel tender, then rinse in cold water to stop the cooking.
    Change it up. Use all lemon juice and chopped parsley or a combination of chopped parsley and cilantro with lemon juice.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5 pound | Calories: 454kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 365mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 667mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 282IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

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    2 Comments

    1. 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