Fresh cilantro, lime juice and garlic come together to create a tangy, citrusy, summery marinade for perfectly pinky-orange grilled cilantro lime shrimp in this recipe for cilantro lime grilled shrimp.
Grilling season is in full swing and I may be in the minority but when it comes to go-to “grill food” you’ll find me opting for seafood over burgers and hot dogs every day of the week.
Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good burger or a bratwurst loaded up with all the fixings but, when given the choice, I’ll reach for grilled scallops, maple ginger grilled salmon and cilantro lime grilled shrimp every time. I’m a seafood lover through and through and when the seafood is easy to make and comes together in less than an hour with minimal effort, I’m an even bigger fan!
The easy shrimp recipe I’m sharing with you guys today falls in line with the kind of recipes I prefer to share most often on this blog. It’s made with simple ingredients and you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make it. If you can handle waiting 30 minutes for shrimp to marinate, you’ll be good to go on this one!
Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp Ingredients
To make this recipe for cilantro lime grilled shrimp, you’ll need the following:
- Shrimp: I prefer jumbo shrimp always but especially for this recipe as they’re easier to thread onto a skewer and hold up well on the grill.
- Lime juice: You have fresh lime juice to thank for the tangy, zesty flavor in this marinade. Lemon juice may also be used, but I strongly prefer lime juice in this recipe.
- Cilantro: Team cilantro all the way! Vibrant and green, this fresh herb is the backbone of this dish.
- Garlic: Because where would any of us be without garlic!?
- Olive oil: Avocado oil may also be swapped if you prefer.
- Salt, pepper and cumin: Spice up your liiife!
How to Make Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp
Step 1
Add the shrimp and remaining ingredients to a large bowl or bag and mix well, ensuring all ingredients are mixed together and completely coating the shrimp. Refrigerate shrimp in the marinade for at least 30 minutes but no more than 90 minutes. (Marinating the shrimp for a longer period of time may cause the lime juice in this recipe to soften the shrimp and break them down.)
Step 2
It’s GRILL TIME, babyyy! Heat grill (or a grill pan) over medium-high heat. Pierce the shrimp with skewers and grill for 5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the shrimp are fully cooked, pinkish-orange and firm.
Step 3
Remove the grilled shrimp skewers from grill, allow to cool briefly and enjoy!
I love this recipe served on top of fluffy white rice but it’s also a favorite of mine served chilled for lunch the next day. It makes a great appetizer, salad topper, entrée you name it! It’s a versatile recipe I can’t get enough of, especially in the summer months. I hope you love it!
Cilantro Lime Grilled Shrimp
PrintCilantro Grilled Shrimp
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Category: dinner, lunch, seafood, shrimp
- Method: grill
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 pounds uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 extra large bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1/ 2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine shrimp and remaining ingredients in a large bowl or bag and mix well, ensuring all ingredients are mixed together and completely coating the shrimp.
- Refrigerate shrimp in the marinade for at least 30 minutes but no more than 90 minutes. (Marinating the shrimp for a longer period of time may cause the lime juice in this recipe to soften the shrimp and break them down.)
- Heat grill (or a grill pan) over medium-high heat.
- Pierce the shrimp with skewers and grill for 5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the shrimp are fully cooked, pinkish-orange and firm.
- Remove from grill, allow to briefly cool and enjoy!
What to Serve with Grilled Shrimp
If you’re looking for some ideas for sides to serve with grilled shrimp, here are a few recommendations:
- Shrimp and Edamame Salad: You can use your cilantro lime shrimp directly in this recipe and it’s so, so good! Each bite of this ceviche inspired shrimp and edamame salad is a flavor and texture explosion thanks to vibrant veggies, protein-packed edamame, succulent shrimp, tangy citrus and creamy avocado.
- Simple Summer Pasta Salad: A bright and flavorful pasta salad to make to serve with grilled shrimp if you’re serving a crowd!
- Sesame Cucumber Salad: Talk about a refreshing side dish! It’s cold, crisp, flavorful and refreshing and pairs perfectly with this grilled shrimp recipe.
- Black Bean and Brown Rice Salad: Pair this grain-based salad with cilantro lime grilled shrimp skewers and dinner is done!
Nancy Wilson says
Looks so good. Thanks Julie. We usually get frozen wild raw shrimp, so I guess I’d just defrost them prior to marinating. Can’t wait to try this.
Julie says
Really hope you love it!!
Jackie Freeland Gibbs says
FYI – when printing, the ads will not go away. I just hate wasting so much ink on ads! Aside from this issue – LOVE this recipe!! It is a family FAV with no changes. SO good and we are making it for a second time today! Thanks for sharing it!!
Jackie Freeland Gibbs says
Forgot to rat this – FIVE STARS!!!!! Would give it 10 if I could