This recipe for shrimp fajitas is a quick and easy one skillet dinner made with fajita marinated shrimp and sauteed peppers and onions. This sizzling dish is so flavorful!
This restaurant quality Mexican recipe is irresistible just like my sheet pan chicken fajitas and steak fajitas!
Table of Contents
Easy Skillet Shrimp Fajitas
This recipe for shrimp fajitas can be ready to serve in under 30 minutes for a quick and easy dinner! It’s made with juicy shrimp marinated in a zesty lime, garlic, and fajita seasoning combination then pan-seared until perfectly cooked and deliciously charred.
You can create something new this shrimp fajita recipe each time you make it. In the same way we make chicken fajita bowls and this fajita salad recipe with chicken or beef, we can use shrimp to make them, too!
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple and flavorful: Plenty of bold flavor from the shrimp fajita marinade, plus the smoky char on the sweet bell peppers. This easy shrimp recipe is a taste explosion!
- Easy and adaptable. Shrimp fajitas can be whipped up quickly on busy weeknights! Adjust spices, add extra vegetables, load it up with toppings, or keep it simple.
Shrimp Fajitas Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- For the marinade: Olive oil, lime juice, fajita seasoning, and minced garlic. If you have taco seasoning, that works as well.
- Shrimp: I use extra large, raw shrimp that have been peeled and deveined. I find the extra-large ones stay nice and juicy and are harder to overcook.
- Fajita veggies: Olive oil for sauteing, bell peppers, and sliced onion. Together onions and peppers are signature fajita veggies that are caramelized and charred with sweet and smoky flavors.
How to Make Shrimp Fajitas
- Marinate the shrimp. Whisk the olive oil, lime juice, fajita seasoning, and garlic in a large bowl. Toss in the shrimp to coat it and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. Any longer than that and the lime juice will start to “cook” them which will change their texture. We don’t want that!
- Sauté the vegetables. While they are marinating, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the peppers and onions until sizzling and the edges are beginning to char. Then, transfer them to a plate.
- Cook the shrimp. In the same skillet, add the shrimp being careful not to overlap them. Cook for 2 minutes then flip and cook until no longer translucent. Do not overcook them!
- Combine everything. Add the peppers back into the skillet and toss everything together. Remove the skillet from the heat. Serve warm in lettuce cups, or warm tortillas. You can also turn it into a salad or rice bowl with your favorite toppings!
Expert Tips
- For extra char consider grilling your shrimp. You can even grill the veggies in a pan over the grill if you’ve already got it fired up.
- Even slices. Be sure to cut the onions and peppers into even slices so they cook evenly.
- Don’t cook the shrimp too long. Keep them in the skillet until no longer pink and then remove them from the heat. Otherwise, they’ll become rubbery.
- Fresh lime juice. Finish the dish with a squirt of lime juice and a sprinkling of fresh cilantro. Having extra lime wedges on the table is also a good idea.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Instead of a skillet, use a sheet pan. Mix ingredients together than spread onto the sheet pan and bake until done .
To ensure they are properly cooked through for safety reasons, your shrimp will be pink in color with red tails and an opaque appearance. They should feel firm when touched.
There isn’t too much you can do ahead of time, which is ok because this dish is so easy to whip up anyway. There is only a 10-minute marinating time, and in the meantime, you can slice your peppers and onions. It’s best served freshly made, so there’s really no need to make this ahead.
While these are best enjoyed the day they are made, you can keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat, add to a skillet until warmed through. You can also use the microwave, just be careful not to overdo it with the heat. The shrimp will turn rubbery when overcooked.
Fajita Serving Suggestions
Serve in a warm flour tortillas with guacamole, red salsa, pico de gallo, avocados, shredded cheese and lime crema or sour cream on the side.
It also pairs well with black beans and rice, white rice, Mexican rice, or cilantro lime rice for a restaurant-style meal perfect for a delicious family meal idea!
Looking for more delicious recipes? Don’t miss this recipe for shrimp scampi, crockpot chicken fajitas and kung pao shrimp!
More Delicious Shrimp Recipes
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Shrimp Fajitas
Video
Ingredients
Marinade
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon fajita seasoning
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 pounds extra large (16-20) raw shrimp , peeled and deveined
Fajitas
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2-3 bell peppers , sliced into thin strips
- ½ onion , sliced
For serving: Lettuce cups, Flour or corn tortillas, Rice, Cilantro, Guacamole, Sour cream, and/or Salsa
Instructions
Marinade
- In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, lime juice, fajita seasoning, and garlic until combined. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate 10 minutes.
Fajitas
- While the shrimp is marinating, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-heat heat. Add bell peppers and onion sauté until sizzling hot and edges are beginning to char, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet over medium-high heat, arrange marinated shrimp in a single layer. Flip after 2 minutes and cook until pink, being careful not to overcook.
- Stir bell pepper mixture into the shrimp. Remove from heat.
- Serve warm in lettuce cups or tortillas, or on top of a salad or rice bowl. Top with favorite toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, Cinco De Mayo, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Mexican, Nut-Free
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
Less time and easy to cook..thank you..love to cook this recipe…
Absolutely loaded with flavor! All of my kids loved these so much.
I made this for a dinner last night because we had guests over and they were a hit! Thank you so much for making this recipe easy to follow!
You are welcome! I am so glad that you loved these shrimp fajitas. Thanks for the great review!
This was so easy and delicious! I love that it’s all cooked in one pan – makes clean up so much easier!