This shrimp fajitas recipe is an easy weeknight dinner idea. Seasoned shrimp are loaded with peppers and onions in a perfect one-skillet dinner.
My family always welcomes shrimp dinners. Shrimp are my kids' favorite protein to have for dinner at home or outside. They usually choose chicken and shrimp fajitas at Mexican restaurants.
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❓Why This Recipe Works
- This recipe needs a few simple pantry ingredients.
- Cooked to perfection, this is a quick 30-minute meal that your family will enjoy.
📝 Ingredients
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
- Shrimp, you will need large shrimp for this recipe.
- Cornstarch
- Seasoning for shrimp fajitas include: chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt.
- Olive oil
- Onions, bell peppers and lime juice
🥣 Equipment
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- Cast iron skillet or a large skillet
- Large mixing bowl
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Make your seasoning mix in a jar or a small bowl.
- Add oil to a large skillet or a cast iron skillet and saute vegetables until slightly charred; set aside.
- Pour remaining oil and place shrimp then cook for just a minute or so.
- Add all the seasonings and cornstarch then mix well.
- Add lemon juice and water, and stir for another 5-7 minutes or until shrimp cooks.
💡Amira's Tips
- Use Extra large or Jumbo raw shrimp if you can; you get the best shrimp fajitas with big shrimp.
- For a spicy shrimp fajita, I've used ¼th teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Feel free to skip or add more, depending on your liking.
- I've used the tail on deveined shrimp.
- Use a variety of colorful bell peppers in your fajitas, more colors makes it even better and looks pretty.
💬 FAQs
To cook shrimp fajitas on the grill, spray your grill with grilling oil and preheat it. Place shrimp in a large bowl and season with the seasoning for shrimp fajitas listed in the recipe. Grill until done; squeeze lemon/lime when done. Grill vegetables or cook in a skillet.
To make sheet-pan shrimp fajitas, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and spray or line your baking sheet with foil. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together, including the oil and lime/lemon juice, then spread on a sheet pan. Bake until done for about 8 minutes. For the vegetables, mix them with some oil and fajita seasoning and place them under the broiler until charred.
Shrimp curl when they are cooked. A "c" shaped shrimp means they are done, and an "o" shape means they are overcooked. Shrimp should have no grey color and should turn pink with some whites in them. Watch out, as overcooked shrimp does not taste good.
🍽️ Serve With
- Serve with warm tortillas topped with Guacamole, sour cream, and some salsa.
- Add some Homemade Doritos and this Smoked Queso Dip.
- If you have rice lovers at home, try this Rice Cooker Mexican Rice.
🧺 Storage
Refrigerate - Store in an airtight container or bag in the fridge for up to 3 days
Freezer - Store in a sealed freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
Reheat - Reheat on the stove in a warm skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
📣 Related Recipes
- Craving Shrimp Scampi without Wine? Try my delicious recipe with all the garlicky goodness and a simple substitution!
- Baked shrimp scampi is a simple and delicious meal that makes for a perfect weeknight dinner. Tender shrimp are baked with garlic, lemon, and butter, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish that is ready in just 20 minutes.
- Air fryer shrimp tacos ready in less than 15 minutes making it a great healthy weeknight dinner.
- This Shrimp Stew is a quick 20-minute healthy weeknight dinner for busy days. Succulent shrimp in rich bold tomato sauce to scoop over white rice or mop with a crusty piece of bread.
- This Baked Sea Bass is one of our favorite fish recipes. A whole fish is seasoned and topped with the most fresh and flavorful vegetable mix and baked perfectly for a flaky healthy dinner.
Mexican Inspired Recipes
- These Chicken Fajita Wraps are a perfect weeknight dinner or a fun get together meal. Perfectly seasoned tender chicken with colorful peppers all in a crispy wrap for a satisfying meal.
- This Chicken Fajita Salad is a healthy twist on fajitas. Skip the tortillas and enjoy the bold flavors of fajitas on a bed of crisp lettuce.
Shrimp fajitas
Ingredients
Seasoning mix:
- 2 teaspoon chili powder.
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to your liking.
- 3-4 Tablespoons olive oil divided.
- 1 Large onion sliced.
- 2 Large bell pepper yellow, orange, red or green bell pepper, sliced.
- 1 pound large shrimp
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- In a jar or a small bowl, mix all the seasoning ingredients well together, set aside.
- In a large pan or cast iron skillet heat 1 Tablespoon of oil, then sauté onions and bell peppers until slightly charred, remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet add the remaining Tablespoon of oil, add shrimps then sprinkle the seasoning mix over.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch and mix everything well together.
- Pour the water and lemon, stir everything well and cook for about 5-7 minutes until the sauce is thickened and the shrimps are opaque.
- Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve with tortillas or white rice.
Nutrition
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🧕My Personal Experience
Before I came here to the United States, I paid a couple of visits to the ONLY Mexican restaurant that was in Egypt. This was like 19 years ago. The first time, I decided to go with what I knew...BURGERS!! Second time, I convinced myself to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.. it was the fajitas served with black beans. I did not like anything on my plate, and I especially hated the black beans. Fast forward 19 years, and I still order the same thing over and over again. To make you even more surprised, I eat my kids' black beans because now I love them.
The only other cuisine that I was willing to experience was Asian cuisine and the Chinese one, to be specific. I was hesitant to try anything new, and I did not even like sweet and sour dishes!! This shows you that I've come a long way, and I have given myself the chance to taste and re-taste recipes from different countries. So I highly encourage you to try new things more than once, you might find something interesting, and you might even end up liking what you've disliked in the past.
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NancyJ
These turned out better than expected. The only modification I made is that I've used crushed garlic instead of powder and used only one bell pepper and a medium onion. Served it with spanish rice.
Amira
Great tips Nancy, this is awesome. Thank you for trying the recipe.
John @ Kitchen Riffs
I've never used shrimp in fajitas. Gotta try it -- terrific idea. Thanks!
Amira
Thanks John, it is great and so tasty. Try it and let me know how it went with you.