Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Sofrito Butter
Juicy shrimp marinated in a zesty citrus blend, grilled to perfection, and finished with a vibrant sofrito-infused butter for an explosion of Caribbean flavors. This caribbean-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, orange juice, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp sofrito
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in 3 tbsp sofrito and cook for 2 minutes until aromatic. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread shrimp onto skewers.
- Step 4: Grill shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Remove shrimp from grill and immediately brush generously with the sofrito butter. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Sofrito Butter take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 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 Sofrito Butter?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Marinated Grilled Shrimp with Sofrito Butter?
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 Sofrito Butter 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 Sofrito Butter?
Caribbean 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The sofrito butter transformed the shrimp into something magical—my kids begged for seconds!
- ★★★★★
Served this at my beach party and everyone asked for the recipe! So fresh.
- ★★★★☆
Perfect balance of citrus and spice, though the grilling time was a bit longer than listed.









