Charred Mezcal-Lime Shrimp with Cilantro and Toasted Oaxacan Pepitas

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Succulent shrimp marinated in smoky mezcal and lime, quickly charred and garnished with fresh cilantro and crunchy toasted pepitas for a vibrant Oaxacan-inspired appetizer. This Mexican-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 31 minutes, pairs large shrimp, mezcal, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 220 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Grilling tools worth buying → Best Grilling Tools and BBQ Gadgets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 3 tbsp mezcal, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; toss to coat and marinate for 20 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, toast 1/4 cup pepitas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until lightly browned and fragrant; set aside.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated shrimp in a single layer, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp are opaque and have a slight char.
  5. Step 5: Remove shrimp from heat and transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and the toasted pepitas evenly over the shrimp.
  6. Step 6: Optionally, sprinkle with 1/4 tsp red chili flakes for a touch of heat. Serve immediately as a smoky, bright appetizer or light main.

Related recipes