Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Lime, and Cilantro
Quickly sautéed shrimp infused with bright lime juice, garlic, and fresh cilantro for a light and flavorful seafood dish perfect for weeknight dinners. This mexican-inspired street food ready in about 16 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb large peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using.
- Step 3: Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on one side until pink and opaque at the edges, then flip and cook another 1-2 minutes until fully cooked.
- Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and immediately stir in 3 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, tossing to coat shrimp evenly with the bright flavors.
- Step 5: Serve shrimp hot, garnished with extra cilantro if desired, alongside rice or a fresh salad.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Lime, and Cilantro take to make?
Total time is about 16 minutes (10 min prep + 6 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 Shrimp with Garlic, Lime, and Cilantro?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic, Lime, and Cilantro?
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 Shrimp with Garlic, Lime, and Cilantro 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 Shrimp with Garlic, Lime, and Cilantro?
Mexican street food 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a quick dinner. The garlic aroma was incredible and the shrimp cooked evenly.
- ★★★★★
My family devoured these shrimp! The lime and cilantro gave it such a fresh kick.
- ★★★★★
This is now my go-to recipe for date nights. So simple but feels fancy.
