One-Skillet Shrimp Fajitas
On March 31, 2025
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Marinated in zesty lime, fresh garlic, and a tailor-made seasoning blend, these One-Skillet Shrimp Fajitas are perfect for a weeknight meal.
Marinated One-Skillet Shrimp Fajitas
There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of shrimp hitting a smoking hot cast-iron skillet, the citrusy aroma of lime and garlic filling the air. These sizzling shrimp fajitas are my go-to recipe when I want to serve something bold, flavorful, and easy to throw together.
Succulent jumbo shrimp soak in a bright lime and garlic marinade before being tossed in a screaming hot skillet alongside vibrant bell peppers and onions. The result? Tender, perfectly spiced shrimp with slightly charred, crisp-tender veggies that deliver an irresistible combination of flavors and textures.
Whether you’re hosting a casual Friday night dinner or looking for a crowd-pleasing option for your next backyard gathering, these fajitas are guaranteed to have everyone coming back for seconds. Even kids, who can sometimes be picky about seafood, clean their plates when these fajitas are on the menu.
The Best Shrimp for Fajitas
When it comes to creating the perfect shrimp fajitas, size really does matter. I recommend using 21/25 jumbo shrimp for this recipe because they’re substantial enough to stand up to high heat without overcooking. These larger shrimp also hold their own against the bold marinade flavors and provide that satisfying bite that makes each fajita so delicious.
If you’re using frozen shrimp (which I often do), make sure to thaw them completely before marinating. The best way is to let them thaw overnight in the fridge, but if you’re short on time, you can run them under cold water for several minutes. Properly thawed shrimp will absorb the marinade more effectively and cook evenly, so make sure yours are thawed.
Marinade for Shrimp Fajitas
The marinade is where the real flavor magic happens. This zesty mixture infuses the shrimp with bright, tangy flavor while keeping them tender and juicy.
Marinade
- ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 6 cloves garlic (finely diced)
- 1 Tablespoon fajita seasoning
Fajita Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon lime zest (0r ¼ teaspoon dehydrated lime juice)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic (or garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Check out my Fajita Seasoning post if you want to learn even more about this seasoning. You can also use my Hey Grill Hey Fiesta Rub, if you don’t feel like making a blend.
How Long to Marinate Shrimp
Marinating time is key for building flavor, but timing is everything. 30-60 minutes is the sweet spot for shrimp to absorb all the great flavors without starting to cook in the acidic lime juice.
Less than 30 minutes? You’ll still get some flavor, but not as much penetration. More than an hour? The acid can start to break down the shrimp’s proteins too much, leading to a mushy texture.
If you’re in a rush, even 15 minutes will add some flavor, but aim for that 30-minute mark for the best results.
How to Make Shrimp Fajitas in a Skillet
Now that your shrimp are marinated and your taste buds are ready, let’s get cooking! These fajitas come together quickly in a few simple steps.
- Marinate the shrimp. Combine all marinade ingredients in a large zip-top bag, add your shrimp, and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. This rest time allows the lime juice and garlic to work their magic.
- Preheat the skillet. Get your cast-iron skillet smoking hot over medium-high heat on your favorite grill or stovetop. A properly preheated pan creates that crave-worthy sear on the shrimp while keeping them juicy inside.
- Season the onions and peppers. Toss your sliced yellow onion and bell peppers in avocado oil and coat thoroughly with fajita seasoning. These colorful vegetables add texture, flavor, and visual appeal to your fajita feast.
- Prep the toppings. While your skillet heats up, arrange all your favorite toppings so they’re ready to go. Nothing’s worse than perfectly cooked fajitas getting cold while you’re frantically grating cheese!
- Cook the shrimp. Add avocado oil to your hot skillet, then place the marinated shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until they reach 140 degrees F internal temperature with an instant-read food thermometer, and turn pink with slight char marks.
- Cook the vegetables. Once the shrimp are resting, toss those seasoned veggies into the same skillet. The residual shrimp flavor adds an extra dimension as the vegetables soften and char around the edges.
- Assemble and serve. Return the shrimp to the sizzling skillet with the vegetables for an impressive restaurant-style presentation. Serve with warmed tortillas and your favorite toppings.
Fajita Toppings
One of the best things about fajitas is how customizable they are! Set up a DIY toppings bar so everyone can build their perfect fajita. Here are some of our family favorites to get your started, but feel free to get creative with yours:
- sour cream
- shredded cheddar cheese (shredded)
- guacamole (make your own with this recipe)
- smoked salsa (make your own with this recipe)
- fresh cilantro leaves
- lime wedges
- tortillas (corn tortilla recipe here, flour tortilla recipe here)
More Shrimp Recipes
If you love these shrimp fajitas as much as my family does, you’ll be thrilled to know I have dozens more shrimp recipes waiting for you in the Hey Grill Hey App! From sizzling appetizers to healthy salads, there’s something for any occasion:
Marinated Shrimp Fajitas Recipe
Try this recipe, then let me hear about it! Leave a 5-star rating and comment below, and don’t forget to share your sizzling shrimp fajitas with the @heygrillhey community. Share some photos of your BBQ masterpieces to my Instagram and Facebook pages so we can all see!
One-Skillet Shrimp Fajitas
Ingredients
- 3 pounds 21-25 (jumbo) shrimp shells and tails removed
- 1 yellow onion sliced
- 2 green bell pepper sliced, or any color you like
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil divided use
- 1 Tablespoon fajita seasoning recipe link in notes section
Fajita Marinade
- ½ cup fresh lime juice about 4 limes
- ¼ cup avocado oil
- 6 cloves garlic finely diced
- 1 Tablespoon fajita seasoning
Fajita Toppings
- sour cream
- medium cheddar cheese shredded
- guacamole
- smoked salsa
- fresh cilantro leaves
- lime wedges
- 12 soft flour or corn tortillas
Instructions
- Marinate the shrimp. Combine all ingredients for the marinade in a large zip-top bag, then add your shrimp. Seal the bag, removing any excess air, then marinate in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes.3 pounds 21-25 (jumbo) shrimp, ½ cup fresh lime juice, ¼ cup avocado oil, 6 cloves garlic, 1 Tablespoon fajita seasoning
- Preheat the skillet. Preheat a large cast iron skillet or pan over medium-high heat on your grill or stovetop.
- Season onions and peppers. Toss your onions and peppers in avocado oil to thoroughly coat, then season with fajita seasoning, or Hey Grill Hey Fiesta Rub.1 yellow onion, 2 green bell pepper, 2 Tablespoons avocado oil, 1 Tablespoon fajita seasoning
- Prep the toppings. Assemble all of your fajita toppings so you are ready to eat just as the food finishes cooking.sour cream, medium cheddar cheese, guacamole, smoked salsa, fresh cilantro leaves, lime wedges, 12 soft flour or corn tortillas
- Cook the shrimp. Add 1 Tablespoon avocado oil to the preheated skillet. Remove the shrimp from the marinade and then add to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the shrimp reads 140 degrees F internal temperature. Remove the shrimp to a bowl and let rest.
- Cook the vegetables. Add the seasoned vegetables to the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat on the skillet.
- Assemble and serve. Return the shrimp to the hot skillet with the vegetables and serve to your family for a restaurant-style sizzling finish. Serve with warmed tortillas and all of your favorite fajita toppings.
Notes
- Make your own following the recipe here
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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