There's almost nothing better than shrimp when it comes to easy-to-prepare, healthy proteins for dinnertime. Shrimp cooks so quickly, and it is a great vehicle for all sorts of flavorings. Latin spices and flavor profiles are an especially good match for this sweet, mild seafood. But if you've never cooked shrimp before or always cook it the same way, you might find yourself a little overwhelmed at the thought of preparing shrimp, so we've rounded up some of the most amazing Latin-inspired recipes for you to try.
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As you're preparing your shrimp dinner, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that shrimp cooks really quickly, which is great but also means that shrimp can be easy to overcook. Of course, rubbery shrimp isn't the least bit appetizing, so be sure not to walk away while your shrimp is cooking. It takes only a few minutes to cook all the way through.
You'll also want to carefully decide whether you will cook your shrimp with the shell and tail on or removed and what size shrimp you prefer—both will make a big difference in cook time. Once you figure that out, be sure to buy the correct type at the store. There are usually several varieties available, and accidentally buying the wrong one could put a wrench in your dinner plans. Otherwise, preparing a shrimp dinner should be smooth sailing, and dinner will be on the table in no time.
Spicy shrimp fajitas are quick and simple.
Shrimp fajitas are a quick-cooking and satisfying dish, especially when you spice them up with some jalapeño, chili, and a splash of tequila. You can really pack some major flavor into the shrimp!
Get the full recipe from CafeDelites.
Puerto Rican-style shrimp empanadas are super savory.
Delicious Puerto Rican shrimp empanadas have a flaky, crispy crust and are filled with delicately cooked shrimp in a tomato and sofrito-based sauce. You can even add a bit of cheese to add some creaminess.
Get the full recipe from The Spruce Eats.
This shrimp and grits is a fusion dish.
Shrimp and grits is a classic Creole dish from the American South, but the ingredients and concept lend themselves to Latin flavors really well. Seasoning the shrimp with chipotles, achiote, and oregano brings in some Latin flair, and a delicious salsa verde is the perfect accompaniment.
Get the full recipe from Fine Cooking.
Turn fajitas into an easy sheet pan dinner.
Shrimp fajitas make for the easiest sheet pan dinner. Sliced peppers and onions have almost the exact same cook time as shrimp, so a healthy dinner can be on the table in literally minutes. This is especially awesome on busy nights.
Get the recipe from No. 2 Pencil.
These shrimp and avocado tacos are light and creamy.
This light and tasty recipe for shrimp tacos features a crunchy slaw and slices of creamy, ripe avocado for a totally refreshing and healthy dinner that is super simple to prepare.
Get the full recipe from Chelsea's Messy Apron.
Shrimp quesadillas are cheesy and delicious.
This recipe for shrimp quesadillas calls for only a few basic ingredients, but results in a totally easy and incredibly delicious dinner, with the flavor profile of fajitas. It literally takes just 15 minutes to prepare.
Get the full recipe from Gimme Delicious.
Cut carbs with these taco lettuce wraps.
These spicy shrimp taco lettuce wraps are a tasty option if you're cutting carbs or just want to give your dinner a nutritious boost. They are filled with spicy shrimp and topped with avocado salsa and a creamy cilantro sauce.
Get the full recipe from Gimme Delicious.
This spicy shrimp burrito bowl is so healthy.
You can skip the takeout and throw together this quick and easy spicy shrimp burrito bowl instead. It gets lots of flavor from spices like cumin and cayenne pepper, in addition to the fresh cilantro and lime juice that are added to the rice.
Get the full recipe from Two Sisters Kitchens.
This shrimp skillet is basically a burrito without the tortilla.
This simple, nutritious shrimp skillet dinner is loaded with tons of yummy burrito fillings, like black beans, tomatoes, corn, and garlicky, spicy shrimp. Bonus: you'll just have one pan to wash after dinner.
Get the full recipe from Clean Food Crush.
Shrimp burritos covered in cheese? Yes, please.
These cheesy shrimp burritos are definitely an indulgence, but oh so good. Plus, the filling is loaded with chiles, tomatillos, and zucchini so you'll still get a dose of vitamins despite the insane cheese sauce.
Get the full recipe from Cooking on the Ranch.
These crunchy shrimp tostadas look to die for.
A crispy, cheesy tortilla is the base for these yummy tostadas which are then mounded with creamy guacamole and topped with chili- and cumin-spiced shrimp. Simple, but layered with amazing flavors.
Get the full recipe from Bev Cooks.
Shrimp-stuffed poblano peppers are sure to be crowd-pleasers.
Instead of fried, the smoky poblano peppers in this recipe are roasted to perfection then stuffed with shrimp tossed in a savory cream sauce. While it's still a rich dish, it's much simpler to prepare than the fried version.
Get the full recipe from LouLou Sucre.
These shrimp chalupas are smothered in refried beans and guacamole.
The star of this shrimp chalupa recipe is the roasted poblano sauce that's drizzled on top, but the refried beans and guacamole definitely bring it all together. Add a bit of crispy shredded cabbage and this is a dinner full of flavor and amazing textures.
Get the full recipe from Erica's Recipes.
Shrimp is so good as a filling for tamales.
In this recipe, traditional tamales are filled with garlicky, herby shrimp combined with just a bit of salsa. The tamales are cooked on the grill and take only 45 minutes to prepare from start to finish. How could you go wrong?
Get the full recipe from Ricardo Cuisine.
This easy sauteed shrimp can be served in various ways.
This simple recipe is essentially shrimp and peppers seasoned well with garlic, cumin, chili and coriander and quickly sauteed together. It's great to heap into tortillas or to serve over rice or quinoa for a fast weeknight dinner.
Get the full recipe from Family Food on the Table.
Mofongo topped with saucy shrimp is a Puerto Rican favorite.
Mofongo—a traditional Puerto Rican dish of fried and mashed plantains—is often served with saucy, savory shrimp and the flavor is absolutely to die for. This version has a sauce that's seasoned with lime and garlic. So yummy!
Get the full recipe from The Kreative Life.
This recipe offers a low-carb twist on mofongo.
Traditional mofongo is not to be messed with, but if you have to cut carbs or calories for health reasons but still want to indulge occasionally, this sweet potato version is a yummy option. The sweet potatoes are lower carb and not fried, so it's healthier all around and topped with shrimp, it makes a complete meal.
Get the full recipe from Slow Burning Passion.
Make shrimp tamales even simpler in casserole form.
You can get all the flavor of shrimp filled tamales without all the fuss by turning it into a casserole. Masa is layered with shrimp and baked, then topped with a delicious mole for a quick and easy meal any day of the week.
Get the full recipe from Eating Well.
Impress your dinner guests with this shrimp and plantain dish.
Simple fried plantains are elevated by filling them with a light and delicious shrimp and avocado salad that is sure to impress your family as well as dinner guests. They can be served as an appetizer or in larger portions as a complete meal.
Get the full recipe from Delish D'Lites.
Salad for dinner gets an upgrade with shrimp and avocado.
Salad for dinner never looked as good as this simple shrimp and avocado salad. The use of lime juice, chili powder, and cilantro make this salad more than satisfying—it's absolutely delicious. Serve with some tortilla chips for a bit of crunch.
Get the full recipe from BuzzFeed.
These shrimp empanadas are made with a corn masa.
In this unusual empanada recipe, a spicy shrimp mixture featuring jalapenos and cilantro is stuffed into a corn masa and fried until almost impossibly crispy and hot. Yum!
Get the full recipe from La Piña en la Cocina.
This Brazilian-style empanada is also stuffed with shrimp.
This Brazilian shrimp pastel (empanada) features a flaky dough filled with a simple mixture of shrimp, tomatoes, and onions. The recipe is easy and straightforward, but incredibly tasty.
Get the full recipe from Travel Cook Tell.
Shrimp and mussels are the stars of this quick seafood stew.
This Mexican-inspired spicy seafood stew contains shrimp, mussels, fish, and scallops and is flavored with cilantro, onion, paprika, and a garlicky guajillo pepper puree. It's fairly easy to prepare and absolutely tasty.
Get the full recipe from Food Fidelity.
Puerto Rican-style stewed shrimp is delicious with rice.
Puerto Rican camarones enchilados—a stewed shrimp dish—is full of Spanish flavors and is delicious served over white rice. The shrimp is cooked with tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, capers, and wine to create a quick, savory dinner.
Get the full recipe from Always Order Dessert.
This Peruvian seafood stew looks impressive.
Peruvian seafood stew looks incredibly fancy thanks to its vibrant green color, but actually takes much less than an hour to prepare. It gets spice and flavor from a variety of peppers, spices, and cilantro and a dose of protein from tender shrimp.
Get the full recipe from Feasting at Home.
Gambas al ajillo are a classic.
Gambas al ajillo, also known as Spanish garlic shrimp, are a classic throughout Spain and Latin America. This simple shrimp dish is always a crowd-pleaser, thanks to its spicy, garlic-laden sauce. Serve simply with some crusty bread and you'll have a great dinner.
Get the full recipe from Fox and Briar.
Shrimp and rice are a perfect combination.
Arroz con camarones—rice with shrimp—is so tasty. The rice is cooked in a quick shrimp broth and flavored with onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, and wine, and then tossed with cooked shrimp at the end.
Get the full recipe from Laylita's Recipes.
It takes just 30 minutes to make Brazilian shrimp stew.
This 30-minute Brazilian shrimp stew is creamy and full of flavor thanks to the use of coconut milk in the broth. It also features garlic, onion, tomato, and red bell pepper, all of which meld beautifully with shrimp.
Get the full recipe from My Gourmet Connection.
Citrus fruits give this Cuban-inspired shrimp lots of zing.
The sauce for this Cuban-inspired shrimp dish is inspired by the Latin "mojo" marinade. A combination of lime, lemon, and sour orange juices make it extra zesty and perfect for serving with a simple grain like quinoa or rice.
Get the full recipe from Betsy Life.
The sauce for this shrimp and pasta dish is unexpected.
If you've never used avocado as a pasta sauce, you're in for a treat. When pureed with lime, sour cream, and cilantro, avocado creates the perfect creamy sauce for shrimp pasta. It's a great way to switch things up a bit.
Get the full recipe from My Colombian Recipes.
Yuca gives this shrimp risotto a Latin twist.
You can make a simple seafood dinner with a Latin twist with this shrimp risotto recipe. It features yuca and coconut milk, which make it a bit more interesting than your standard risotto.
Find the full recipe on MamásLatinas.
Ceviche is a classic preparation for shrimp.
Shrimp ceviche is a popular dish all across Latin America. This Ecuadorian version is made with onions, tomatoes, cilantro and orange and lemon juices. So simple an so incredibly tasty.
Find the full recipe on MamásLatinas.
Simple grilled shrimp is always a winner.
Grilled shrimp is always a good idea, but it's an especially good dish when it's prepared with Latin flavors like lime, chili, and cumin and finished with a creamy avocado and cilantro sauce. Serve over rice, in tortillas, or alongside grilled vegetables.
Get the full recipe from The Recipe Critic.
