Shrimp Fajitas Recipe

Quick & Zesty Shrimp Fajitas Recipe for Flavorful Family Dinners

Salty ocean breezes and zesty shrimp fajitas dance together in a culinary celebration that screams summer excitement.

Peppers and onions create a vibrant backdrop for succulent seafood.

Mexican kitchens inspire this quick and delicious meal that comes together faster than you can say “delicioso”.

Each bite promises a burst of flavor that will transport you straight to a bustling street market in mexico.

Marinating the shrimp unlocks incredible depth and tenderness in every single morsel.

Crisp tortillas wait to embrace these spicy, smoky treasures ready to become your new favorite weeknight dinner.

Grab your skillet and let the magic begin, your taste buds will thank you later.

Why Easy Shrimp Fajitas Recipe Quick And Delicious Is A Crowd Pleaser

  • Swiftly Prepare Delicious Meal: Minimal ingredients and simple cooking steps make this recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
  • Customize Flavor Explosion: Easily adjust spice levels and swap ingredients to match personal taste preferences, making it an adaptable recipe for various palates and dietary needs.
  • Transform Weeknight Dining: Elevate ordinary dinner routine with restaurant-quality meal that's packed with vibrant colors, bold spices, and mouthwatering combinations of protein and vegetables.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dinner Solution: Perfect for family gatherings, casual get-togethers, or spontaneous meal prep that guarantees satisfaction for both adults and kids who love interactive dining experiences.

What You’ll Need For Easy Shrimp Fajitas Recipe Quick And Delicious

Proteins:
  • Shrimp: Fresh seafood that serves as the main protein for these delicious fajitas.
Spices and Seasonings:
  • Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Black Pepper: A blend of spices that creates a bold and flavorful marinade for the shrimp.
Vegetables:
  • Bell Pepper, Onion: Colorful vegetables that add sweetness and crunch to the fajitas.
Additional Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Helps to create a smooth marinade and prevents sticking during cooking.
  • Tortillas: Soft flatbreads used to wrap the shrimp and vegetables.
  • Cilantro: Fresh herb that provides a bright, citrusy garnish.
  • Lime: Adds a zesty, tangy flavor when squeezed over the fajitas.

How To Cook Easy Shrimp Fajitas Recipe Quick And Delicious

Step 1: Marinate Shrimp with Zesty Spices

Create a flavor explosion by mixing these spices in a large bowl:
  • Olive oil
  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Smoked paprika
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Gently toss the shrimp in the marinade, coating each piece thoroughly. Let the shrimp soak up the delicious flavors for 15-20 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 2: Sauté Colorful Vegetables

Fire up a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Toss in sliced onions and bell peppers, creating a vibrant mix of colors and textures. Stir the vegetables occasionally, allowing them to develop a beautiful char and become wonderfully tender. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the vegetables to a separate plate.

Step 3: Cook Perfectly Seasoned Shrimp

Using the same sizzling skillet, add the marinated shrimp. Watch them transform from grayish to a beautiful pink color. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, ensuring they’re just cooked through. Be cautious not to overcook, as shrimp can quickly become tough and rubbery.

Step 4: Combine and Create Magic

Reunite the sautéed vegetables with the cooked shrimp in the skillet. Toss everything together, letting the flavors mingle and dance for about a minute. The result will be a mouthwatering blend of spices, seafood, and vegetables.

Step 5: Assemble Your Fajita Feast

Warm up your tortillas and create a build-your-own fajita station. Pile the shrimp and vegetable mixture onto tortillas. Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over the top for a burst of freshness. Serve with lime wedges on the side, allowing everyone to add a zesty squeeze of citrus to their creation.

Pro Tips For Easy Shrimp Fajitas Recipe Quick And Delicious

  • Marinate Smartly: Use fresh shrimp and let them sit in the marinade for exactly 15-20 minutes to maximize flavor absorption without making the seafood tough.
  • Prevent Overcooking Shrimp: Watch carefully while cooking – pink color and slight curl indicate doneness, so remove from heat immediately to maintain tender texture.
  • Boost Vegetable Flavor: Char bell peppers and onions on high heat to develop deeper, caramelized notes that enhance the overall fajita taste profile.
  • Select Tortilla Options: Warm corn or flour tortillas briefly on a skillet for extra softness and authentic restaurant-style presentation.
  • Quick Customization Tip: Swap protein by using chicken or plant-based alternatives for different dietary preferences while keeping the same delicious spice blend.

Flavor Swaps For Easy Shrimp Fajitas Recipe Quick And Delicious

  • Vegetarian Veggie Fajitas: Replace shrimp with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms, marinated in the same spice blend for a meat-free alternative.
  • Chicken Swap Fajitas: Substitute shrimp with sliced chicken breast, using identical marinade and cooking method for a protein-packed meal.
  • Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Skip tortillas and serve fajita mixture in large lettuce leaves for a gluten-free, low-carbohydrate option.
  • Spicy Caribbean Remix: Add diced pineapple and extra cayenne pepper to create a tropical-inspired fajita with a fiery kick.

Best Sides For Easy Shrimp Fajitas Recipe Quick And Delicious

  • Pair Vibrant Margaritas: Zesty lime margaritas complement the spicy shrimp fajitas perfectly, cutting through the rich flavors with citrusy brightness and tequila's warmth.
  • Enhance with Fresh Guacamole: Creamy avocado-based guacamole balances the fajitas' spiciness, adding cool, smooth texture and healthy fat that elevates every bite.
  • Select Crisp Mexican Cerveza: Light Mexican beers like Corona or Modelo provide refreshing contrast, washing down the spices and cleansing the palate between delicious bites.
  • Match with Cilantro-Lime Rice: Herbal, tangy rice side dish absorbs the fajitas' marinade flavors, creating a harmonious plate that enhances the overall dining experience.

Storage Info For Easy Shrimp Fajitas Recipe Quick And Delicious

  • Store leftover shrimp fajitas in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and place in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep vegetables and shrimp together to maintain flavor.
  • Transfer cooled fajita mixture to a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for up to 2 months. Separate tortillas before freezing to prevent soggy texture.
  • Thaw refrigerated or frozen fajitas in the refrigerator overnight. Warm in a skillet over medium heat, stirring gently to prevent breaking shrimp. Add a splash of water to prevent drying and restore moisture.
  • Place fajita mixture in a microwave-safe dish.

FAQs For Easy Shrimp Fajitas Recipe Quick And Delicious

  • What type of shrimp works best for this recipe?

Medium or large wild-caught shrimp are ideal. They provide the best texture and flavor. Ensure they’re peeled and deveined for easier preparation.

  • Can I use frozen shrimp?

Yes, absolutely! Thaw frozen shrimp completely before marinating. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve better browning and prevents steaming.

  • How spicy are these fajitas?

The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level. The cayenne pepper adds a slight kick, but you can adjust by reducing or eliminating it for a milder version. For more heat, add extra cayenne or include sliced jalapeños.

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Shrimp Fajitas Recipe

Shrimp Fajitas Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling Shrimp Fajitas bring Mexican-inspired flavors straight to your kitchen, promising a zesty culinary adventure. Crisp peppers, juicy shrimp, and warm tortillas combine for a quick, delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb (454 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 bell pepper (red, yellow, or green), sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 8 small flour or corn tortillas

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Garnishes:

  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Prepare a zesty marinade by combining olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  2. Gently coat shrimp with the marinade, ensuring even coverage, and let sit for 15-20 minutes at room temperature to absorb flavors.
  3. Heat a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat, adding a light drizzle of olive oil if needed.
  4. Sauté sliced onions and bell peppers for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables become tender and develop a slight char.
  5. Transfer cooked vegetables to a separate plate, keeping the skillet hot.
  6. Add marinated shrimp to the same skillet, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until they turn completely pink and opaque.
  7. Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent a rubbery texture.
  8. Return sautéed vegetables to the skillet with cooked shrimp, gently tossing to combine and warm through for an additional minute.
  9. Serve immediately with warm tortillas, garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
  10. Squeeze lime over fajitas just before eating to enhance the bright, fresh flavors.

Notes

  • Enhance the marinade by adding a splash of lime juice for extra zesty flavor that brightens the entire dish.
  • Swap out shrimp for chicken or tofu to create versatile protein options for different dietary preferences.
  • Let shrimp sit in marinade exactly 15-20 minutes to prevent over-seasoning or making seafood too salty.
  • Use cast-iron skillet for better caramelization and deeper flavor development during cooking process.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 22 g
  • Cholesterol: 160 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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