Satisfy everyone at your next scorching summer barbecue with this sizzling shrimp fajita recipe from Simply Recipes. These fajitas take advantage of the grilling heat element by charring your fresh shrimp atop the grill as well as a few serrano chiles, giving your salsa a much-needed kick.
Since everyone typically likes their shrimp fajitas topped with certain ingredients, lean into the grab-and-go, buffet-style preparation of this meal and have everything from the tortillas to the sour cream laid out on the table with covered serving platters. Consider also whipping up some Mexican-adjacent recipes of your own to counterbalance these spicy flavors such as homemade tomato salsa, southwestern rice and beans, white queso, or even guacamole.
No matter what you decide for your serving table, just be sure that you have plenty of tortillas, condiments, toppings, and utensils on hand, as the following recipe tends to produce shrimp fajitas that come in high demand.
Ingredients for Shrimp Fajitas
Charred Serrano Salsa:
½ cup of medium red salsa (store-bought)
Pinch of salt
Spice Mix:
2 teaspoons mild chili powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon granulated onion
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Toppings
Fresh avocado
Salsa
Fresh cilantro
Sour Cream
Fajitas:
1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
1 red pepper, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
½ large red onion, sliced
Recipe for Shrimp Fajitas
- You’ll begin this recipe by combining the necessary ingredients to make your salsa. Start by heating a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and then char your two serrano chiles for approximately two to three minutes per side. Once cooked, remove the chile, chop the peppers in half, and dispose of your seeds. Chop up the chiles and stir them into your pre-made salsa alongside your lime juice and salt to boost the flavor of your overall salsa.
- Prepare your shrimp’s seasoning by mixing up your spice mix of chili powder, onion, cumin, oregano, red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle your shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of spice mix. Coat the shrimp by thoroughly tossing them with the seasoning.
- Add 1 additional tablespoon of olive oil to your peppers and onions and then sprinkle the remaining spice mix atop the veggies. Meanwhile, you can heat your large skillet over medium-high heat, and you can add your seasoned veggies to the pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and char in select spots.
- When the veggies are spotted with char, use a cooking utensil to slide them over to one side of the pan and add your seasoned shrimp directly to the cast-iron skillet. Cook the shrimp for 3 to 4 minutes apiece, stirring regularly. Be sure to keep an eye on them, as they tend to cook rather quickly.
- Remove the skillet from the stovetop once the shrimp is cooked, and toss the ingredients before covering. Spread your toppings, salsa, and sauces out on a counter or table for a buffet-style dinner. Also, you can consider adding texture to your tortillas by lightly heating them on your stovetop.
Note:
Instead of charring your peppers and cooking your veggies and shrimp on a stovetop, you can use a combination of aluminum foil and a hefty grill pan to properly char the ingredients on a propane or charcoal-based grill. This will allow for a more smoky flavor to accompany the spiciness of the shrimp and peppers for a great summer shrimp fajita.
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