Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (2024)

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Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) cooked in a garlic and butter sauce, and seasoned with fresh lime and herbs. Serve over rice, in tacos, or on tostadas for an easy and quick dinner recipe!

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (1)

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If you’re looking to make a quick and easy recipe that’s bursting with flavor, then this Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) is for you!

The shrimp are cooked in a luxurious garlic and butter sauce that’s rich and succulent, yet bright and light thanks to the addition of lime zest and lime juice.

It’s ready from start to finish in only 22 minutes, it’s made with just 8 simple ingredients and can be served on its own or as a protein in many dishes.

I found myself licking my fingers many times the first time I made this recipe because the sauce is just that good!

What Is Camarones Al Mojo de Ajo?

Camarones al mojo de ajo translates to “shrimp in garlic sauce” in English. Similar to a shrimp scampi, the fresh shrimp are cooked in a butter and garlic sauce that’s brightened with a touch of acid from a lime or lemon. Instead of being served with pasta, camarones al mojo de ajo is typically served with rice, on tostadas, or with fresh tortillas.

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Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (2)

Ingredients in Camarones Al Mojo de Ajo

  • Shrimp – You can use frozen or fresh shrimp for this recipe, but fresh is always best. I prefer jumbo shrimp, but any size will work. Smaller shrimp will cook faster.
  • Butter – This gives the garlic sauce that rich buttery flavor that makes this dish amazing!
  • Garlic – One of the stars of this dish! When the sauteed garlic comes together with the butter and lime, you have the most succulent and tender garlic butter shrimp.
  • Onion – Some thinly sliced onion is cooked in the butter and garlic sauce to add even more depth of flavor. It also soaks in a lot of the sauce during the cooking process, making each bite of onion burst with buttery flavor!
  • Lime – You’ll use the zest and the juice to add a fresh pop of acidity in each bite.
  • Cilantro – Gives the shrimp a fresh herb taste that cuts through the garlic and butter. Feel free to use parsley here if you prefer.
  • Salt and black pepper – The two simple ingredients are the only spices you need. They really help the butter and garlic shine.
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (3)

How to Make Camarones Al Mojo de Ajo

  1. Get your skillet nice and hot over medium heat, then add the butter. Toss in the onion, salt, and pepper and saute for 2 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and the onion is translucent, about 3 more minutes.
  3. Add the lime zest and lime juice, and cook for 2 more minutes to really incorporate those flavors into the butter sauce.
  4. Add the shrimp and saute until they just turn pink on both sides. This should only take about 3 minutes.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat, garnish with cilantro, and serve immediately.

Tips and Substitutions

  • If you’re using frozen shrimp, make sure they are completely thawed before using them. I also recommend patting them dry with a few paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
  • Don’t like shrimp? The flavors are still delicious whether you make this recipe with thinly sliced chicken breast or a different kind of seafood like halibut or scallops.
  • Looking for more spice? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and paprika to the mix.
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (4)

What to Serve with Mexican Garlic Shrimp

This succulent and tender shrimp is delicious over a serving of simple white rice or with some tortilla chips. Here are some more serving suggestions:

  • Green Spaghetti (Espagueti Verde)
  • Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
  • Mexican Quinoa Salad
  • Easy Avocado Salad
  • Mexican Rice
  • Easy Flour Tortillas
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (5)

Storage and Reheating

To store, keep the shrimp in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for 1 or 2 days.

This seafood recipe is best when eaten immediately, but if you have some leftovers that need to be reheated, then you can reheat it in the microwave until just heated through, about 1 minute or so. Try not to overheat it or the shrimp may become tough and chewy.

More Shrimp Recipes

  • Camarones a la Diabla
  • Shrimp Quesadillas
  • Shrimp Fajitas
  • Aguachile
  • Grilled Shrimp Skewers
  • Ceviche

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (6)

4.77 from 13 votes

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp)

servings: 4 servings

Print Pin Review Save

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 12 minutes minutes

Total: 22 minutes minutes

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) cooked in garlic butter and seasoned with lime and herbs. An easy and quick dinner recipe!

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lime, zested
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped cilantro

Instructions

  • Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until it fully melts.

  • Add the onion, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Add the garlic and cook for 3 more minutes, stirring frequently until the garlic is fragrant and the onion becomes translucent.

  • Add the lime zest and lime juice. Cook for 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

  • Raise the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp. Cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through, until the shrimp turns pink and is just cooked.

  • Remove from heat, garnish with cilantro, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 248kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 6g (2%), Protein: 16g (32%), Fat: 18g (28%), Saturated Fat: 11g (55%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 188mg (63%), Sodium: 936mg (39%), Potassium: 189mg (5%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 744IU (15%), Vitamin C: 9mg (11%), Calcium: 85mg (9%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

Author: Isabel Orozco-Moore

Category: Mexican

4.77 from 13 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

  1. Janet

    Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (7)
    Isabel, thank you for this recipe!! It far exceeds the best camarones al mojo de ajo we’ve ever eaten at restaurants in México! Recently, hubby ordered this at our local fav Mexican restaurant, turned to me, and said the recipe we’re using is much better. So, so, yummy! I think I’m a little heavy-handed with the ajo, but that’s ok with me.

    Reply

  2. Laura

    Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (8)
    Super garlicky and delicious. Came together quickly. Good weeknight meal with some rice!

    Reply

  3. Steven Cottler

    Will try your recipe.

    Reply

  4. Lizbeth

    Sorry but this is just regular butter garlic shrimp. Definitely not mojo de ajo shrimp

    Reply

    1. Ana @ Isabel Eats

      Hi Lizbeth, thank you for your feedback. We’ll consider this when moving forward.

      Reply

  5. Frances

    Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (9)
    Made Camarones al Mojo on an evening when it was getting later than usual for dinner time.

    I had all ingredients except fresh shrimp, but I did have some frozen.
    So I used the frozen shrimp it was a very easy recipe to follow and quick. It was so convenient. I served it with white rice, delicioso!

    Reply

Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (10)

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Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican Garlic Shrimp) - Isabel Eats (2024)

FAQs

What is camarones al ajillo made of? ›

Cooked stovetop in a single skillet, Camarones Al Ajillo is a classic Spanish garlic shrimp recipe made with succulent shrimp (fresh or frozen) and a simple garlic sauce that consists of 5 simple ingredients: olive oil, lots of fresh garlic, dry cooking wine, salt and pepper, and chopped fresh parsley.

What is al mojo in english? ›

“Al mojo” means “in sauce” and it may refer to different herbs and spices, but in Mexico it has always been a mix of olive oil, butter, a hint of lime, salt and pepper, and tons of chopped garlic.

How many calories are in camarones al mojo de ajo? ›

1 serving of mexican shrimp in garlic sauce (camarones al mojo de ajo) (Don't add the garlic–lime juice mixture without first allowing the skillet to cool for about 5 minutes.) contains 221 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 8% carbs, 62% fat, and 29% protein.

How do you pronounce mojo de ajo? ›

al mojo de ajo
  1. ahl. moh. - hoh. deh. ah. - hoh.
  2. al. mo. - xo. ðe. a. - xo.
  3. al. mo. - jo. de. a. - jo.

What does Ajillo mean in English? ›

Al ajillo is a typical condiment in the cuisines of the Spanish-speaking world. The likely origin, through colonization, is the Spanish dish gambas al ajillo, prawns cooked in a garlic and hot paprika oil. In Mexico, it combines guajillo chili peppers and ajo (garlic).

What does camarones mean in food? ›

medium shrimp, peeled and deveined.

Does mojo sauce have sugar? ›

You may notice that none of the sauces listed contain detailed information about sugar levels. This is partly because the serving size is so small, and in the case of Mojos Sauce's the only added sugar we use is a small amount in our pickled pepper brine, which is then used in our sauces.

How many carbs are in mojo marinade? ›

Goyo Mojo Criollo Marinade (30 ml) contains 2g total carbs, 2g net carbs, 0g fat, 0g protein, and 10 calories.

How many calories are in a mojo Bowl? ›

1 serving of mojo pork bowls contains 692 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 8% carbs, 66% fat, and 26% protein. This is a good source of protein (81% of your Daily Value), fiber (20% of your Daily Value), and potassium (18% of your Daily Value).

What does "mojo" mean in Spanish? ›

Mojo (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmoxo], from Portuguese molho [ˈmoʎu], meaning "sauce") is the name, or abbreviated name, of several types of sauces, varying in spiciness, consisting primarily of olive oil, local pepper varieties (called pimienta in the Spain), garlic, paprika (called pimentón in Spain), cumin or ...

What is ajo in English? ›

The word “Ajo” itself is the biggest clue to the system's origins. It is a Yoruba word that translates to “group or organisational savings” in English.

Why do they call it mojo? ›

Mojo is of uncertain origin but is most likely related to the word moco “witchcraft, magic” in Gullah, a creole language spoken by an African-American population located along the southern Atlantic coast.

What is Camaron tacos made of? ›

Tacos de Camaron are marinated shrimp tacos with honey jalapeno coleslaw, chipotle sour cream and pico de gallo on a warm corn tortilla. Quick and easy dinner!

What is Camarones a la diabla made of? ›

Also known as Mexican Deviled shrimp or Diablo shrimp, camarones a la diabla is a seafood dish made by tossing shrimp is a spicy chile tomato sauce. What kinds of chiles are used in the A La Diabla sauce? Guajillo chiles are the traditional chiles used in this sauce.

What is shrimp cocktail made of? ›

Place shrimp in a large bowl. Stir in red onion, cilantro, and garlic. Add tomato and clam juice, ketchup, lime juice, horseradish, and hot pepper sauce; mix well to combine. Season with salt.

What is the difference between camarones and mariscos? ›

"Marisco" is a form of "marisco", a noun which is often translated as "seafood". "Camarón" is a noun which is often translated as "shrimp".

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