Spicy Grilled Gulf Coast Shrimp with Cilantro Lime Rice

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

Juicy Gulf Coast shrimp marinated in a fiery spice blend and grilled to perfection, served atop fragrant cilantro lime rice for a fresh coastal meal. This latin american-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 20 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp kosher salt. Marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil over high heat.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to a simmer, cover, and cook rice for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Fluff rice with a fork and stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 tsp lime zest. Set aside.
  5. Step 5: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred.
  6. Step 6: Serve grilled shrimp over cilantro lime rice, garnish with extra lime wedges if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Grilled Gulf Coast Shrimp with Cilantro Lime Rice take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 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 Spicy Grilled Gulf Coast 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Grilled Gulf Coast 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 Spicy Grilled Gulf Coast 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 Spicy Grilled Gulf Coast 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.

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