Janette Zepeda
TheKitchn.com
I am a sucker for shrimp. I grew up with an uncle who mastered the art of cooking seafood. He made his way from Nayarit, Mexico, to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he is now the chef and owner of Mariscos El Ancla, a Mexican seafood restaurant. Whenever he came to visit, it was almost guaranteed that shrimp would be on the menu. Inspired by my uncle, this recipe for spicy lemon garlic shrimp is the easiest, most flavorful shrimp you’ll ever have.
Here, the vibrant sauce comes together quickly with garlic and lemon juice. While this is a little different from the camarones a la diabla (deviled shrimp) that I grew up with, the addition of the lemon takes this simple-yet-satisfying dish to the next level. Now let’s talk about the heat: I can’t lie and tell you these aren’t particularly spicy, but I will say that the sauce is balanced, thanks to the butter, garlic, smoked paprika, and lemon. Pair it with some steamed rice or just enjoy them on their own garnished with cilantro and an added squeeze of lemon. This easy shrimp dinner is bound to be a crowd-pleaser—even my kids love it.
Why You’ll Love It
- Cooks in just 10 minutes! It comes together so quickly, which makes for a quick weeknight meal or the perfect last-minute appetizer.
- The sauce is spicy yet perfectly balanced. The butter and lemon juice cut through the heat. But if you want all the flavor with little heat, you can always reduce the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
Key Ingredients in Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp
- Smoked paprika: Adds depth with its smoky, peppery flavor.
- Garlic: Makes up the base of the sauce, glazing the shrimp perfectly with its rich and savory flavor.
- Red pepper flakes: Adds all the spice while working along with the lemon to highlight its fruity, smoky, almost citrus-like flavor.
Helpful Swaps
- For more heat, swap smoked paprika with cayenne pepper for a spicy, fiery kick.
- To take the heat down, you can always add half the amount of red pepper flakes.
