Skillet Shrimp Fajitas
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Shrimp Fajitas are an easy and flavorful Mexican dinner packed with juicy blackened shrimp, bell peppers and onions. Seasoned with cumin powder, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper and cooked in one pan!
Shrimp fajitas are one of my top go-to weeknight recipes because it’s on your dinner table in 15 minutes and clean up is a breeze.
After making these Mexican shrimp many times, I have discovered the little secret that brings out the best flavor: coat the shrimp with Fajita Seasoning before adding to a skillet Skillet. It acts like a rub and creates much more flavorful shrimp!
How Do You Make Shrimp Fajitas
- Make fajita seasoning by mixing cumin powder, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Mix the thawed shrimp with half of the fajita seasoning.
- Sautee onion and bell peppers.
- Add the rest of Fajita seasoning and cook until onions have wilted and the bell peppers are tender.
- Add in the seasoned shrimp and sauté until shrimp turn pink.
If you prefer to serve with warm flour tortillas, you can place the tortilla in a separate pan or microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Serve shrimp mixture in a tortilla with sour cream and chopped cilantro.
What Kind of Shrimp is Best for Fajitas
You need raw shrimp for this recipe. If you can find fresh shrimp, by all means this is the best option! In most cases, you’ll find frozen or defrosted shrimp at the supermarket. Here is a guide on how to buy shrimp.
This recipe works best with large or jumbo size shrimp that are peeled and deveined. If you can only find smaller or larger shrimp, be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the size.
Fajita Seasoning
Although you can always use store-bought fajita seasoning, I highly recommend Homemade Fajita Seasoning. Not only is it really easy to make, but it also tastes so much better!
To make fajita seasoning, you only need six ingredients: cumin powder, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix them together and store in an airtight container for up to one year.
Fajita Seasoning Substitute: While fajita seasoning is the traditional flavoring, you can experiment with Taco Seasoning and Cajun Seasoning to get amazing results too.
Top Tips for Making Best Shrimp Fajitas
- Make sure to thaw your shrimp before cooking, otherwise, they will come out chewy.
- Coating the shrimp with Fajita Seasoning and then cooking in oil will create more flavor than adding shrimp directly to the pan.
- Heat the pan until it’s hot before adding shrimp.
- Don’t over-crowd the pan with too many shrimp. Cook the shrimp in batches if need to.
- Remove shrimp as soon as they turn pink and opaque. Overcooking will make them rubbery. A minute or two on each side in a hot pan is enough.
How Do You Know if Shrimp is Cooked
The secret to getting the perfect shrimp texture is not to overcook them. As soon as they turn pink and start to curl, you need to remove them from heat immediately.
It usually takes 3-4 minutes to cook medium-sized raw shrimp (about 2 minutes each side). If you use the pre-cooked shrimp, they may turn tough and chewy quickly when you cook them the second time.
Assemble Fajitas
- Take a hot flour tortilla, top with the desired amount of shrimp fajita mixture using a large spoon.
- Drizzle evenly with freshly squeezed lime juice
- Add sour cream and chopped cilantro
- (optional) Add hot sauce or avocado slices if desired.
Can I Bake Shrimp Fajitas? Yes, baked shrimp fajitas are easy to make. all you need to do is to bake the vegetables with seasoning on a sheet pan for 10 minutes at 400°F, add the shrimp and bake for another 5-8 minutes depending on the size of your shrimp. Wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil and add to the pan as well.
Skillet Shrimp Fajitas
Ingredients
Shrimp and Veggie
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, thawed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2 mixed bell peppers, seeded and sliced (see note)
- 8 flour tortillas, 8-inch size
Fajita Seasoning
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Toppings
- cilantro, chopped
- salsa, optional
- sour cream, optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the shrimp and half of the fajita seasoning together. Set aside.
- Place a medium-large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the olive oil, onion, bell peppers and remaining fajita seasoning.
- Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions have wilted and the bell peppers are tender.
- Add the shrimp to the pan and sauté for 2-3 more minutes until cooked.
- While the shrimp are cooking, place a second skillet over medium-high heat. Place a tortilla in the pan for 30 seconds to heat and then remove to a serving plate. Repeat for remaining tortillas.
- Serve shrimp mixture in tortillas with optional salsa, sour cream and cilantro. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use larger or smaller shrimp for this recipe, just increase or decrease the shrimp cooking time accordingly.
- Make sure to thaw your shrimp before cooking, otherwise, they will come out chewy.
- Coat the shrimp with Fajita Seasoning and then cook in oil. This will create more flavor than adding shrimp directly to the pan.
- Heat the pan until it’s hot before adding shrimp.
- Don’t over-crowd the pan with too many shrimp. Cook the shrimp in batches if need to.
- Remove shrimp as soon as they turn pink and opaque. Overcooking will make them rubbery. A minute or two on each side in a hot pan is enough.
- Make it Healthier: serve with whole wheat tortillas.
- Make it Low Carb:serve it on lettuce with avocado.
Please read our nutrition disclaimer.
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Delicious! Sprinkled seasoning over shrimp and let marinate 30 mins. Served with cilantro creme!
Hi Liza, Sounds delish and thanks for your feedback! 🙂
What are the measurements for your fajita mix? I would love to try this recipe. thanks!
Hi Jan, Great to hear! The fajita mix seasoning ingredients are right here: https://tipbuzz.com/fajita-seasoning/ 🙂