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Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) cooked in a garlic and butter sauce, and seasoned with fresh lime and herbs. Serve over rice, in tacos, or on tostadas for an easy and quick dinner recipe!
If you’re looking to make a quick and easy recipe that’s bursting with flavor, then this Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) is for you!
The shrimp are cooked in a luxurious garlic and butter sauce that’s rich and succulent, yet bright and light thanks to the addition of lime zest and lime juice.
It’s ready from start to finish in only 22 minutes, it’s made with just 8 simple ingredients and can be served on its own or as a protein in many dishes.
I found myself licking my fingers many times the first time I made this recipe because the sauce is just that good!
What Is Camarones Al Mojo de Ajo?
Camarones al mojo de ajo translates to “shrimp in garlic sauce” in English. Similar to a shrimp scampi, the fresh shrimp are cooked in a butter and garlic sauce that’s brightened with a touch of acid from a lime or lemon. Instead of being served with pasta, camarones al mojo de ajo is typically served with rice, on tostadas, or with fresh tortillas.
Ingredients in Camarones Al Mojo de Ajo
- Shrimp – You can use frozen or fresh shrimp for this recipe, but fresh is always best. I prefer jumbo shrimp, but any size will work. Smaller shrimp will cook faster.
- Butter – This gives the garlic sauce that rich buttery flavor that makes this dish amazing!
- Garlic – One of the stars of this dish! When the sauteed garlic comes together with the butter and lime, you have the most succulent and tender garlic butter shrimp.
- Onion – Some thinly sliced onion is cooked in the butter and garlic sauce to add even more depth of flavor. It also soaks in a lot of the sauce during the cooking process, making each bite of onion burst with buttery flavor!
- Lime – You’ll use the zest and the juice to add a fresh pop of acidity in each bite.
- Cilantro – Gives the shrimp a fresh herb taste that cuts through the garlic and butter. Feel free to use parsley here if you prefer.
- Salt and black pepper – The two simple ingredients are the only spices you need. They really help the butter and garlic shine.
How to Make Camarones Al Mojo de Ajo
- Get your skillet nice and hot over medium heat, then add the butter. Toss in the onion, salt, and pepper and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and the onion is translucent, about 3 more minutes.
- Add the lime zest and lime juice, and cook for 2 more minutes to really incorporate those flavors into the butter sauce.
- Add the shrimp and saute until they just turn pink on both sides. This should only take about 3 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat, garnish with cilantro, and serve immediately.
Tips and Substitutions
- If you’re using frozen shrimp, make sure they are completely thawed before using them. I also recommend patting them dry with a few paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
- Don’t like shrimp? The flavors are still delicious whether you make this recipe with thinly sliced chicken breast or a different kind of seafood like halibut or scallops.
- Looking for more spice? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and paprika to the mix.
What to Serve with Mexican Garlic Shrimp
This succulent and tender shrimp is delicious over a serving of simple white rice or with some tortilla chips. Here are some more serving suggestions:
- Green Spaghetti (Espagueti Verde)
- Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- Mexican Quinoa Salad
- Easy Avocado Salad
- Mexican Rice
- Easy Flour Tortillas
Storage and Reheating
To store, keep the shrimp in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for 1 or 2 days.
This seafood recipe is best when eaten immediately, but if you have some leftovers that need to be reheated, then you can reheat it in the microwave until just heated through, about 1 minute or so. Try not to overheat it or the shrimp may become tough and chewy.
More Shrimp Recipes
- Camarones a la Diabla
- Shrimp Quesadillas
- Shrimp Fajitas
- Aguachile
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Ceviche
- Cóctel de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp)
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lime, zested
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until it fully melts.
- Add the onion, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the garlic and cook for 3 more minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic is fragrant and the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the lime zest and lime juice. Cook for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Raise the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp. Cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through, until the shrimp turns pink and is just cooked.
- Remove from heat, garnish with cilantro, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Isabel, thank you for this recipe!! It far exceeds the best camarones al mojo de ajo we’ve ever eaten at restaurants in México! Recently, hubby ordered this at our local fav Mexican restaurant, turned to me, and said the recipe we’re using is much better. So, so, yummy! I think I’m a little heavy-handed with the ajo, but that’s ok with me.
Super garlicky and delicious. Came together quickly. Good weeknight meal with some rice!
Will try your recipe.
Sorry but this is just regular butter garlic shrimp. Definitely not mojo de ajo shrimp
Hi Lizbeth, thank you for your feedback. We’ll consider this when moving forward.
Made Camarones al Mojo on an evening when it was getting later than usual for dinner time.
I had all ingredients except fresh shrimp, but I did have some frozen.
So I used the frozen shrimp it was a very easy recipe to follow and quick. It was so convenient. I served it with white rice, delicioso!