Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Cilantro-Lime Rice
Plump shrimp marinated in fresh citrus and garlic, grilled to perfection and served over fragrant cilantro-lime rice. This latin american-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, divided olive oil, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 16 pieces, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp orange juice
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup, rinsed long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp orange juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add 16 large peeled and deveined shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: While shrimp marinates, bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup rinsed long grain white rice and 1/2 tsp salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is cooked and water absorbed.
- Step 3: Remove rice from heat and gently fluff with a fork. Stir in 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 tsp lime zest. Keep covered until ready to serve.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, with light grill marks.
- Step 5: Serve grilled shrimp over cilantro-lime rice for a bright and flavorful meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Cilantro-Lime Rice take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (25 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep divided olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Cilantro-Lime Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
Latin American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
