Cilantro Lime Marinated Shrimp
On August 11, 2025
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Tangy lime combines with cilantro, garlic, red pepper flakes, and olive oil for a marinade that pairs perfectly with the mild flavors of grilled jumbo shrimp. This Cilantro Lime Marinated Shrimp is about to become your new favorite way to do shrimp on the grill!
Cilantro Lime Marinated Grilled Shrimp
If you’re looking for a shrimp recipe that’s quick, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to impress at your next backyard cookout, you’ve found it. This cilantro lime marinade is downright addictive on shrimp, and I’m not just saying that because I created it. The bright, zesty flavors zhuzh up those mild shrimp and turn them into something truly unforgettable.
I’ve made a lot of shrimp over the years, but this recipe never fails to get people asking for seconds (and the recipe). The best part: it’s ready in just over an hour, and most of that time is hands-off marinating. It’s perfect for those weeknight dinners when you want something that tastes like you fussed, but really didn’t.
Choosing the Right Shrimp
For this recipe, I always go with 21/25 jumbo shrimp (which means 21-25 shrimp per pound). These guys are big enough to handle easily on the grill without falling through the grates, and they stay juicy even when using high heat. Plus, there’s something extra satisfying about biting into a nice, big grilled shrimp.
Make sure you get them peeled and deveined. You can do it yourself, but why make extra work when you’re trying to get dinner on the table? Your seafood counter will usually do this for you, or you can buy them already prepped. Work smarter, not harder.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Fresh or frozen both work great! If you’re using frozen shrimp, make sure they’re completely thawed and patted dry before marinating. You don’t want a watery marinade diluting all that amazing flavor.
Cilantro Lime Marinade for Shrimp
The secret to incredible marinated shrimp is all in the marinade, of course. This cilantro lime version offers the perfect balance of bright, fresh flavors that complement shrimp without overpowering their delicate sweetness. Here’s what you need so you can make your own at home:
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 lime (zest and juice)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ cup olive oil (more as needed)
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
How Long to Marinate Shrimp
When it comes to marinating most meats, longer usually means better. However, that’s not the case with most seafood. Shrimp are a delicate protein, and that lime juice will actually start to “cook” them if you leave them too long. Give the marinade an hour to work its magic, then get those bad boys on the grill.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Marinated Shrimp
Alright, it’s time for you to become a shrimp pro. Here’s how to turn those shrimp into something your family will love:
- Make the marinade. Toss your cilantro, lime zest and juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes into a food processor, then pulse it until smooth. If it looks too thick, add a little more olive oil. You want it to coat the shrimp easily.
- Let the shrimp soak up the flavor. Put your shrimp in a gallon zip-top bag, pour in that gorgeous green marinade, squeeze out the air, and seal it up. Put it in the fridge for an hour (but no longer!). Remember shrimp are delicate, and that lime juice will start to “cook” them if you leave them too long.
- Fire up the grill. Get your grill going for direct heat cooking at medium heat. You’re looking for 375-400 degrees F. While it’s heating up, remove your shrimp from the marinade and pat dry with a paper towel. You want to remove any excess marinade so you avoid flareups on the grill. Reserve the marinade. Trust me, you’ll want it.
- Grill the shrimp. Place those marinated shrimp right on the grill grates. While your shrimp cook, grab a basting brush, then hit them with the reserved marinade while they cook. Grill for 2-3 minutes, flip, then grill another 2-3 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they’re opaque and curled into a loose “C” shape.
- Serve ’em hot. These shrimp are best straight off the grill with fresh lime wedges and maybe some extra cilantro. Serve them on tacos or fajitas, in salads, or any other way you love to enjoy grilled shrimp.
Susie’s Marinated Shrimp Pro Tips
After making more batches of grilled shrimp than I can count, here are my top tips for nailing it every time:
- Clean grates make good shrimp. Shrimp like to stick, so make sure those grill grates are clean and well-oiled. I like to wipe the grates with a little oil on a paper towel right before the shrimp go on.
- Don’t over-marinate. I know I’ve already covered this, but more time isn’t better when it comes to seafood. When it comes to shrimp and citrus, you’ll end up with a mushy finished product. 1-2 hours is more than enough.
- The “C” test. Loose “C” shape shrimp are perfectly grilled shrimp. If your shrimp are still straight and haven’t started to bend, they’re not ready yet. Keep grilling. If you get a tight, “O” shape, you’ve gone too far (but they’ll still taste delicious).
More Grilled Shrimp Recipes
If you still can’t get enough grilled shrimp, check out my Grilled Shrimp Marinade post for another way to rock your shrimp menu. I’ve got even more shrimp recipes here on the site, as well as in the Hey Grill Hey App. For now, take a look at these Hey Grill Hey favorites:
If you love this cilantro lime flavor combo as much as I do, you’ve got to try it on my Grilled Cilantro Lime Salmon too. It’s equally delicious and just as easy!
Simple Cilantro Lime Marinated Shrimp Recipe
Follow the recipe card below, and make some amazing marinated shrimp. And hey, if you make this recipe, I want to see it! Tag @heygrillhey on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube so I can cheer you on. There’s nothing I love more than seeing you become a Backyard BBQ Hero!
Cilantro Lime Marinated Shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound 21-25 (jumbo) shrimp
- 1 lime quartered, for garnish
Cilantro Lime Marinade
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 lime zest and juice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ cup olive oil more as needed
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper cracked
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Make the cilantro lime marinade. In a small food processor, pulse together the cilantro, lime zest and juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Add additional olive oil as needed until you reach a smooth consistency.
- Marinate the shrimp. Place the shrimp in a gallon-sized zip top bag. Add the marinade to the bag, press out any excess air, and seal. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours (not any longer.)
- Preheat the grill. When ready to cook the shrimp, prepare your grill for direct cooking at medium heat. Your target temperature in your grill should be around 375 to 400 degrees F.
- Grill the shrimp. Remove the shrimp from the marinade and place it on your grill. Use a basting brush to spread any additional marinade on top of the shrimp while they grill. Grill for 2-3 minutes, flip, and grill for 2-3 more minutes or until the shrimp is opaque throughout and curled into a loose “C” shape.
- Serve and enjoy. Serve immediately with freshly sliced lime wedges and additional cilantro, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
