• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Mamá Maggie's Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beef
    • Breakfast
    • Chicken
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Vegetarian
    • Healthy
    • Mexican
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Learn
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • Courses
    • Tamales
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Courses
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • Courses
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Seafood » Camarones al Mojo de Ajo + VIDEO

    Camarones al Mojo de Ajo + VIDEO

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted June 24, 2019 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Camarones al Mojo de Ajo is an amazingly delicious Mexican recipe made with succulent shrimp in a butter garlic sauce. All ready in under 30 MINUTES!
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Shrimp and rice served in a glass plate with lime slices as garnish

    Shrimp and rice served in a glass plate with lime slices as garnish

    Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (or Mexican Garlic Shrimp) is such a tasty and simple dish.

    You’ll want to eat it right from the skillet. It tastes better than the ones they serve at a Mexican restaurant.

    Next time you’re looking to get food on the table fast, remember this dish.

    Juicy, tender shrimp swimming in all those gorgeous, fragrant garlic flavor… YUM!

    INGREDIENTS

    Camarones al Mojo de Ajo ingredients

    • Shrimp – large or jumbo shrimp preferred
    • Butter
    • Garlic
    • Pepper
    • Olive oil
    • Lime
    • Salt

    Simple ingredients that are packed with flavor.

    Here, we are using both butter and oil. However, you can use one or the other. Butter is preferred for the flavor.

    To make this sauce requires A LOT of garlic. You will need a full head of garlic to make this Mexican garlic shrimp recipe.

    INSTRUCTIONS

    Shrimps served in a big bowl

    • Peel, devein, and wash the shrimps.
    • Set aside until ready to use.

    If the shrimp still have their digestive tract, you need to remove it.

    Taking out the poop vein can be quite the chore. If it’s in your budget, buy them already deveined and ready to go. It’s also worth noting that larger shrimp are easier to devein.

    Garlic, pepper and butter in a glass blender

    • Use half of a stick of butter for the mojo, or the sauce.
    • Add to the blender along with the garlic, olive oil, fresh lime juice, salt, and pepper.

    Can I use minced garlic?

    Minced garlic is sold at the stores, you can buy some instead and avoid having to chop up all.

    A sauce of garlic, pepper and butter mixed in a glass blender

    • Zippity zappity blend until smooth.
    • Make sure that the butter is soft. That will get the blender going.

    See the bottom? There’s a lot of goodness down there. Make sure you get all of it when you’re adding it to the pan.

    Remember to scrape the sides of the blender too, a long thin spatula works well in cases like this. You want everything last bit of this magic sauce.

    In a way, we’re making a soft butter spread.

    Melted butter, garlic and pepper sauce in a pan on the stove

    • More butter goes into a large skillet.
    • Add the mojo sauce and let it melt.

    Try this sauce with fish, scallops, mussels, or just about any seafood would go well with this sauce.

    Isn’t this dish called Camarones al Ajillo?

    • In some Spanish-speaking countries, these two dishes are exactly the same.
    • In Mexico, Camarones al Ajillo is made with a garlic butter sauce, but it also includes chiles.

    Shrimp cooked in a sauce of melted butter, garlic and pepper in a pan on the stove

    • Next up, add the shrimp.
    • Stir constantly.

    Larger shrimp take a longer time to cook. Smaller shrimp are done in minutes.

    This makes a great appetizer, but as the main course, this is a delicious meal.

    Shrimp cooked in a sauce of melted butter, garlic and pepper in a pan on the stove

    • Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until shrimp is pink.

    Don’t go far from the skillet. The cooking process ends when the shrimp turn pink.

    Use your best judgment on how long they should cook.

    Camarones al Mojo de Ajo served on a glass plate with lime slices as garnish.

    PRO TIP

    • For a party, make the sauce and clean the shrimp ahead of time. Simply put the sauce in plastic wrap and roll-up. Place in the fridge until ready to use, and when your guests arrive, greet them with the smell of buttery garlic sauce.

    How long will it last?

    I do not recommend freezing this dish because reheated shrimp turn rubbery. However, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    A fork holding a shrimp above a plate of Camarones al Mojo de Ajo.

    More Mexican Shrimp Recipes:

    • Camarones a la Diabla
    •  Camarones en Crema Chipotle
    •  Camarones Rancheros
    • Tacos de Camaron

    This Camarones al Mojo de Ajo recipe is ready in under 30 minutes. It’s an appetizing Mexican seafood dish that is sure to win the hearts of anyone who tastes it.

    Serve with a flour tortilla, rice, and enjoy!

    Hungry for More?

    Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter for my latest recipes and videos.

    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!
    Shrimp and rice served in a glass plate with lime slices as garnish

    Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

    Camarones al Mojo de Ajo is an amazingly delicious Mexican recipe made with succulent shrimp in a butter garlic sauce. All ready in under 30 MINUTES!
    4.98 from 47 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 6 minutes
    Total Time: 21 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 358kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb shrimp medium
    • 1 stick butter divided
    • 1 head garlic peeled and whole
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • 1 tbspn Salt
    • 1/2 tspn Pepper
    • Chopped cilantro topping

    Instructions

    • Peel, devein, and wash shrimp.
    • Set aside until ready to use.
    • In a blender, add ½ stick of butter, garlic, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
    • Blend until smooth.
    • In a large skillet, melt the remaining stick of butter.
    • Add all of the garlic mixture from the blender.
    • Melt. About 1 minute.
    • Add the raw shrimp.
    • Cook for 3-4 minutes or until shrimp is pink.
    • Serve.
    • Top shrimp with butter sauce and chopped cilantro.
    • Enjoy.

    Video

    Notes

    Depending on the size of shrimp you use, cooking time may vary.  Larger shrimp take a longer time to cook. 
    Freezing this dish is not recommended.
    This dish lasts up to 3 days in the fridge. 
    The sauce can be made ahead of time. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 347mg | Sodium: 2516mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 706IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Mexican, Recipes, Seafood

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vanessa

      March 17, 2018 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the great recipe, Maggie. I made this for dinner tonight and it was excellent. Easy too! Definitely a recipe to keep.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 20, 2018 at 11:34 am

        That just made my day!! So glad you liked it. 🙂

        Reply
    2. KarlaB

      March 20, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      My favorite Mexican dish! Never had the recipe though, so thank you. No idea it was that simple, yet delish.

      Reply
    3. Suzanne

      July 8, 2019 at 8:16 am

      Oh my goodness, this looks so scrumptious! I definitely need to make this sometime this week!

      Reply
    4. Pilar

      July 8, 2019 at 9:50 am

      Thank so much! I love the recipe! camarones al mojo de ajo are definitely one of my favorites!

      Reply
    5. Rosey

      July 8, 2019 at 7:34 pm

      What a great idea to use it as a butter spread as well. Two recipes in one. 🙂

      Reply
    6. IRC

      February 24, 2020 at 8:49 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was delicious and easy! I had to double the recipe and was scared the garlic (2 heads) was going to be too much but it was perfect! Who am I kidding I love garlic. Putting it in the blender was a great tip, cut prep time.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 4, 2020 at 8:50 am

        Oh yum! Each time I think of this dish, I want to make it. lol. Glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    7. Stephanie Carrillo

      September 17, 2020 at 5:38 pm

      5 stars
      I made this today. It came out delicious and it was very easy and quick to make! I served with asparagus and mashed potatoes.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 22, 2020 at 1:12 pm

        Sounds delicious! Glad you liked it!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Maggie
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • PR/ Advertise
    • Email maggie @ mamamaggieskitchen.com