Marinades & Brines
Cilantro Shrimp Marinade
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Prep
10 minutes
Total
10 min
Serves
about 3/4 cup (180 ml)
Garlicky, herby, and bright, a cilantro-lime marinade built for shrimp. It grabs onto the shells fast and needs only a short soak before the shrimp hit the grill or the pan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) lime juice
- 4 garlic cloves, grated
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 1Whisk the olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper together.
- 2Stir in the chopped cilantro.
- 3Toss with peeled shrimp and marinate 15 to 30 minutes before cooking.
Cook's Note
Do not marinate shrimp longer than 30 minutes, the lime will start to cure them and turn the texture rubbery. Pat them dry before searing so they brown instead of steam.
How to Use This
Toss with 1 lb of peeled shrimp and marinate 15 to 30 minutes. Pat dry, then grill or sear over high heat.
Why This Foundation Works
Shrimp are small and porous, so they take on marinade quickly, twenty minutes is plenty. Grating the garlic instead of chopping releases more of it into the oil, and the lime seasons the surface without turning the shrimp mushy in a short soak.
Make It Yours
- Add a minced serrano or a spoonful of adobo for heat
- Stir in lime zest for more citrus
- Use it on fish or chicken instead
Leftover Strategy
Marinade keeps refrigerated for 3 days. Discard any that has touched raw shrimp.
Common Questions
How long do you marinate shrimp?
Fifteen to thirty minutes. Longer and the lime juice starts to cure the shrimp and turn them rubbery.
Should I peel the shrimp before marinating?
Yes, so the marinade reaches the flesh. Leave the tails on for skewers if you like.