Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Mexican-Style Garlic Shrimp)
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on Mar 26, 2020, Updated Mar 24, 2025
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This Camarones al Mojo de Ajo is buttery, garlicky, and packed with flavor from smoked paprika, fresh lime juice, and vibrant parsley. Think of it as a Mexican twist on shrimp scampi—simple, quick, and loaded with flavor. Made in just 20 minutes, this dish is a go-to for an easy shrimp dinner that feels restaurant-worthy.
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What are Camarones al Mojo de Ajo?
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo translates to “shrimp in garlic sauce” in English. This beloved Mexican shrimp recipe features shrimp simmered in olive oil and butter with lots of garlic and sliced onions. It’s rich, savory, and brightened with lime and parsley.
The sauce, known as mojo de ajo, is a silky garlic butter that coats every bite of shrimp—making this dish perfect served over cilantro lime rice, garlic butter rice, pasta, or tucked into shrimp tacos. It’s not spicy, which makes it ideal for the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ready in under 20 minutes
Made with simple ingredients you already have
A perfect blend of smoky, garlicky, buttery goodness
Versatile—serve with rice, pasta, or tortillas
Feels fancy but super easy for a weeknight dinner
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need for this Mexican garlic shrimp recipe. The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- Shrimp: Use large shrimp that are peeled and deveined. Frozen pre-cleaned shrimp are a great shortcut.
- Butter & Olive Oil: You can use both separately or a pre-mixed Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt for convenience.
- Red Onion: Adds a subtle bite and color. Sub with white or yellow onion if preferred.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic is key for that rich, authentic mojo de ajo flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky depth.
- Salt: Use coarse salt, but adjust based on whether you’re using salted or unsalted butter.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed for the best zesty balance.
- Parsley: Flat-leaf or Italian parsley adds a mild brightness; sub with cilantro for a more traditional earthy twist.
Optional Variations
This recipe has not been tested with all of these substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
- Swap parsley with cilantro.
- Stir in a splash of white wine for extra richness.
- Add sliced jalapeños for a spicier version.
How to Make Camarones al Mojo de Ajo
Step 1: Season the Shrimp: In a small bowl, mix paprika and salt. Season the shrimp evenly.
Step 2: Sauté Onion & Garlic: Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until fragrant and softened.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the pan. Cook for 6–8 minutes, turning halfway, until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
Step 4: Finish & Serve: Add fresh lime juice and chopped parsley. Serve hot over rice, pasta, or with homemade corn tortillas. Optional: sprinkle red pepper flakes for heat.
🎥 Watch this video to see how simple this dish comes together!
Serving & Topping Suggestions
Serve this mojo de ajo shrimp in a variety of delicious ways:
- Over cilantro lime rice or garlic butter rice
- Tossed with Mexican green spaghetti or creamy chipotle spaghetti
- Alongside sopa de fideo for a cozy comfort meal
- Inside warm homemade corn tortillas for easy shrimp tacos
- With easy refried beans and authentic Mexican rice for a hearty plate
- Pair with a crisp white wine or a tangy Mexican chelada for a refreshing finish.
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo Expert Tips & Tricks
Buy frozen pre-cleaned shrimp: Saves time and mess.
Quick thaw tip: Place shrimp in a colander and rinse with cold water for 15 minutes if you’re short on time.
Don’t overcook: Shrimp are done when they’re pink and opaque. If they curl into tight O’s, they’re overcooked.
Storage & Heating Instructions
Store any leftover Mexican garlic shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze, as shrimp can become rubbery when reheated.
To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat just until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mexican shrimp can be seasoned with spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic, and lime juice. In this recipe, we use smoked paprika, garlic, and salt for a smoky and savory profile.
“Mexican shrimp” can refer to wild-caught shrimp from Mexico’s coastlines, known for their high quality. It can also mean shrimp prepared in traditional Mexican styles like Camarones al Mojo de Ajo, Camarones a la Diabla, or shrimp ceviche.
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo are shrimp cooked in a rich garlic sauce made from butter, olive oil, and plenty of fresh garlic. It’s a classic and beloved Mexican shrimp recipe that’s packed with flavor but not spicy.
Mojo de ajo translates to “garlic sauce” in English. It’s made by slowly cooking garlic in oil or butter until golden and fragrant. It’s a staple in many Latin American and Spanish dishes.
More Recipes
If you tried this Camarones al Mojo de Ajo or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Camarones al Mojo de Ajo Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 pounds large shrimp, defrosted, peeled, and deveined
- 1/2 cup Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (flat-leaf or Italian)
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine paprika and salt.
- Season the shrimp with spice mixture.
- Add the Land O Lakes® Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt to a frying pan over medium heat until it begins to melt.
- Add the onion and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until they are completely cooked through.
- Add the lime juice and parsley.
- Enjoy with white rice, angel hair pasta, or tortillas.
Video
Notes
- Shortcut: Purchase frozen, peeled, and deveined shrimp.
- How to defrost frozen shrimp: Let it thaw overnight in the fridge, or for faster thawing, take the shrimp out of its package, put it in a strainer, and rinse in cold water. The shrimp should be ready to cook in about 15 minutes.
- Do not overcook shrimp: The shrimp will cook in 6 to 8 minutes. If they curl up into tight little O’s, they’re overcooked.
- Parsley vs Cilantro: I made this recipe with parsley for a bright mild flavor, but feel free to substitute with cilantro for an earthy bolder flavor.
- How to store leftovers: Refrigerate cooked shrimp for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezingthis dish because shrimp becomes rubbery when reheated.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Jenna Sparks
GREATTTT……
I served this over rice, and it was good. But my husband thought it would be better over angel hair pasta next time. I added a little water to make it more saucy. We served it with refried beans and avocado slices.
What if you don’t have land of lakes butter with olive oil and sea salt, how do you substitute?
Simply replace with salted butter. Enjoy!
Great recipe! I make mine with mushrooms and cauliflower (no carbs) and sometimes use chipotle in adobo instead of smoked paprika for my hubby because he likes it HOT …
Muy buena receta, me gustó la forma en que combinaste los ingredientes. Encontré también la receta de camarones al mojo de ajo estilo Veracruz, se ve deliciosa!
This recipe is DELICIOUS!
I’ve made this at least three times this summer (my boyfriend has requested this more than that ) and it will forever be a go-to recipe for me. It’s got great flavor with minimal ingredients, and is such a simple recipe for a quick meal.
Oh my! I’ve never made any type of shrimp and this was amazing! Perfect! And easy! Yum! Thank you for sharing your art!
My only comment is salt 1/2 teaspoon and paprika 1/2 of teaspoon, It gets to salty at the end of cooking.
muy buena tus recetas!! , ya quiero ponerlas en practica para una cena familiar. tengo una receta buenisima en la cual preparo camarones a la barbacoa de carbon . Quedan deliciosas
Excelente!!