• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
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
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Courses
  • Shop
×

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

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo + VIDEO

Last Updated April 13, 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 dish! You’ll want to eat it right from the skillet.

You’re going to fall head over heels for this Mexican seafood recipe. I mean, who doesn’t love shrimp? They are a gift from the ocean.

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

INGREDIENTS

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo ingredients

  • Shrimp
  • Butter
  • Garlic
  • Pepper
  • Olive oil
  • Lime
  • Salt

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

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 and, believe me, I’m no pooper scooper.

If it’s in your budget, buy them already deveined and ready to go. It’s also worth noting that Large to Jumbo Size shrimps are easier to devein.

Raw Unpeeled Garlic on a white cutting board.

No vampires at my house. To make this sauce requires A LOT of garlic.

You will need a full head of garlic. Not just one lonely clove, this adds SO much flavor!

If you feed it to your significant other, two negatives make a positive. See… I learned something in high school math. LOL.

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, 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.

In a way, we’re making a soft butter spread. You can even put this on bread. Yum!

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.

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

  • More butter goes into the pan.
  • 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. This dish is ready as soon as 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

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

You might see this dish also served with lime wedges, cucumber, saltine crackers, and orange slices. Hope you 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!
5 from 4 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




Primary Sidebar

A picture of Maggie Unzueta in her kitchen holding a coffee cup.

iBienvenidos! I'm Maggie. Welcome to my blog! My passion is authentic Mexican food and traveling throughout Mexico to bring you the very BEST in culture and cuisine.

More about me →

Popular

  • Slow Cooker: Birria de Res, or Mexican Beef Stew + VIDEO
  • Camarones a la Diabla [VIDEO]
  • Menudo (or Pancita) + VIDEO
  • Instant Pot Pork Tamales [VIDEO]
  • Caldo de Camarón – Mexican Shrimp Soup + VIDEO
  • Carne En Su Jugo + VIDEO

Featured On

A list of places Mama Maggie's Kitchen has been featured in.

Follow Maggie!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on PinterestFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on YouTube

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