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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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
More Mexican Shrimp Recipes:
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!
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Camarones al Mojo de Ajo
Ingredients
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.
Thanks for the great recipe, Maggie. I made this for dinner tonight and it was excellent. Easy too! Definitely a recipe to keep.
That just made my day!! So glad you liked it. 🙂
My favorite Mexican dish! Never had the recipe though, so thank you. No idea it was that simple, yet delish.
Oh my goodness, this looks so scrumptious! I definitely need to make this sometime this week!
Thank so much! I love the recipe! camarones al mojo de ajo are definitely one of my favorites!
What a great idea to use it as a butter spread as well. Two recipes in one. 🙂
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.
Oh yum! Each time I think of this dish, I want to make it. lol. Glad you enjoyed!
I made this today. It came out delicious and it was very easy and quick to make! I served with asparagus and mashed potatoes.
Sounds delicious! Glad you liked it!