Need a good idea for an easy weeknight dinner? Try this easy best Costco cilantro lime shrimp recipe. With such simple ingredients for a quick marinade, it comes together in record time. What’s even better is that the cilantro lime sauce can be tailored to your specific palette and tastebuds. If you like quick and easy shrimp recipes, you may also like these jerk shrimp tacos, shrimp enchilada bowl or this hibachi shrimp meal prep bowl.
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Cilantro lime shrimp is truly a favorite way for me to prepare juicy shrimp. The reason being is because the dish is so versatile and can be used in a variety of ways like shrimp bowls, cilantro lime shrimp tacos, or as lettuce wraps. The options are endless in taking this simple protein and recreating it into a delicious dish.
WHY COSTCO’S CILANTRO LIME SHRIMP
Well for starters, it is delicious. When I shop at Costco, I always tend to take home some of the prepared cilantro lime shrimp since it makes for such an easy and quick meal. Since the shrimp is already pre-cooked and seasoned, it’s a great way of bringing together a meal quickly. You can use this shrimp as a main course and pairing it with some rice and beans or even throw it in a wrap. Or you can use them as an appetizer and pair it with some toasted bread and a homemade pico de gallo.
However, I’m one to always want to prepare meals myself so I can truly control the quality and amount of ingredients used. This easy shrimp recipe is no different. I kept the ingredients list pretty simple and seasoned my shrimp with some pantry staple spices. While my version is slightly different than the Costco version given I prefer to make a marinade with my cilantro lime sauce instead of a cilantro lime finisher, it’s just as tasty and flavorful healthy recipe.
INGREDIENTS FOR CILANTRO LIME SHRIMP RECIPE
I love this recipe because the ingredients are simple. I tweaked them ever so slightly from my traditional cilantro lime marinade that I typically pair with chicken. For this recipe you will need:
- Fresh cilantro – a little bit lemony with a slightly pungent taste
- Fresh lime juice – bright and citrusy and helps cut through the heat. Can also use lemon juice as a good substitute
- Red onion – I generally prefer red onion in this marinade as it’s a milder flavor profile than yellow or white onion
- Fresh Jalapeño – packs some heat and spice with a bit of jalapeño. If you want to lessen the heat then strip the seeds prior to blending
The spices used to season the shrimp are: black pepper, salt, red pepper flakes and old bay seasoning.
COOKING COSTCO’S CILANTRO LIME SHRIMP
Full recipe details are in the recipe card down below along with measurements.
First you will want to prepare your shrimp for the marinade. If using frozen shrimp, defrost in a large bowl and ensure to use a paper towel to soak up any excess liquid or water from the shrimp. Next season the shrimp with the spice blend including pepper, salt, red pepper flakes and old bay seasoning and set aside.
In a blender or food processor, place the ingredients for the cilantro lime marinade including the cilantro, onion, jalapeño and lime juice. Add some olive oil to the mixture and pulse the mixture until it is smooth. Pour the marinade over the shrimp and allow to coat fully. Set aside and let marinade for at least 30 minutes.
In a large skillet (non-stick or cast iron), bring to medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to coat the pan. Add the shrimp in a single layer in the pan and cook a couple of minutes on one side before flipping the shrimp and cooking for another 3 – 4 minutes. You will know when the shrimp is cooked as it will plump and begin to turn pink.
Remove the shrimp from the pan and let rest.
WHAT TYPE OF SHRIMP TO USE
There are a few types of shrimp that I would recommend for this simple recipe. However, the one type I wouldn’t necessarily recommend would be pre-cooked shrimp given this recipe uses a marinade vs. a cilantro lime finisher. The types of raw shrimp that will pair well with this marinade are:
White shrimp – these shrimp are translucent in color when raw however turn pink when cooked. These shrimp are easy to peel and are tender with a slightly sweet flavor.
Pink shrimp – these shrimp are generally pink when raw and a deeper pink when cooked. These shrimp are small and sweet however do tend to be on the smaller side.
Argentina Red Shrimp – with a slightly sweeter flavor, these shrimp have a more elegant feel to them. They have a taste a texture that will remind you of lobster.
HOW TO SERVE LIME SHRIMP
There are so many different ways you can choose to serve up this delicious costco cilantro lime shrimp recipe. For starters, you can choose to serve this as an easy appetizer similar to shrimp cocktail, however cilantro lime flavored. Add a bit of extra lime zest on top and it’s fancy enough to serve on a platter. Another good option would be as a shrimp burrito. Use your favorite whole wheat burrito and load it up with some black beans, bell peppers, pico de gallo and a bit of spinach or another leafy green and it will be delicious with every bite. However, if you wanted to ditch the burrito and swap it out for some red rice and turn it into a burrito bowl that would work as well. You can add the same ingredients and top with some guacamole.
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT LEFTOVERS
If you’re lucky to have any leftovers, these are super easy to store. First, allow the shrimp to come to room temperature. Once done, place in an airtight container and place in the fridge for up to 4 days.
I personally prefer reheating my shrimp on the stovetop as I find reheating in the microwave lends to having the shrimp overcooked and a more rubbery texture. Reheating this recipe is super easy. Heat a skillet to medium-low heat and spray with some spray pam. While the pan is heating, remove the shrimp from the refrigerator. Once the pan is heated, toss the shrimp into the skillet and let it heat through for 30 seconds or so. You will find that this will give you the overall best results.
FAQ’s
Yes, you can choose to do it “in reverse” however what I would recommend is that you hand chop the ingredients for the marinade vs. blending them in a blender. This will make the marinade more of a finisher for the shrimp.
Yes, lemon is a great substitute if you do not have lime on hand (or don’t want to make a trip to the grocery store). Given lemons tend to be [slightly] sweeter, it may add a hint of sweetness to the dish to balance out the heat from the jalapeños.
I get it, cilantro is one of those herbs that can be polarizing and for some people cilantro tastes like soap. You can easily substitute parsley or Thai basil for cilantro however I would add a bit extra of lime to help brighten up the dish more.
If you make this Best Costco Cilantro lime shrimp recipe, feel free to leave a comment down below. Let’s stay in touch! Feel free to follow me on my social media as I share more healthy recipes, fitness workouts and motherhood. Give a follow at: Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest!
Costco Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Equipment
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 Skillet cast iron or non-stick
Ingredients
- 1 lb Shrimp
- 1/3 cup Cilantro
- 1/4 cup Red Onion
- 1 tbsp Jalapeno
- 1/2 Fresh lime squeezed
- 1 tbsp Old Bay
- 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Instructions
- First you will want to prepare your shrimp for the marinade. If using frozen shrimp, defrost in a large bowl and ensure to use a paper towel to soak up any excess liquid or water from the shrimp.
- Next season the shrimp with the spice blend including pepper, salt, red pepper flakes and old bay seasoning and set aside.
- In a blender or food processor, place the ingredients for the cilantro lime marinade including the cilantro, onion, jalapeño and lime juice. Add some olive oil to the mixture and pulse the mixture until it is smooth.
- Pour the marinade over the shrimp and allow to coat fully. Set aside and let marinade for at least 30 minutes.
- In a large skillet, bring to medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to coat the pan.
- Add shrimp in a single layer to the pan and cook a couple of minutes on one side before flipping the shrimp and cooking for another 3 – 4 minutes. You will know when the shrimp is cooked as it will plump and begin to turn pink.
- Remove the shrimp from the pan and let rest.
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