Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spicy Sofrito Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent shrimp sautéed in a vibrant, spicy Puerto Rican sofrito sauce, blending roasted peppers, onions, and garlic for a punchy and aromatic dish. This puerto rican-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, tomato sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

★ 4.1 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 cup sofrito and sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and slightly thickened.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook the sauce for 5 minutes until it thickens and the flavors meld.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet, stirring to coat with the sofrito sauce. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and 1 tbsp fresh lime juice. Serve immediately with rice or crusty bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spicy Sofrito Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spicy Sofrito Sauce?

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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spicy Sofrito Sauce?

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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spicy Sofrito Sauce 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 Sautéed Garlic Shrimp with Spicy Sofrito Sauce?

Puerto Rican 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.

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