30 Minute Shrimp Fajitas (OnePan)

What Are Fajitas?

A classic fajita is a savory dish consisting of a combination of grilled meat (most commonly chicken, steak, or shrimp), peppers, and onions served in a tortilla. A shrimp fajita is a fajita that uses shrimp as the main protein. Fajitas are similar to tacos as they use similar seasonings and are wrapped in tortillas. However, fajita ingredients are almost always grilled, whereas taco ingredients (specifically the veggies) are often fresh/raw.

Fajita, literally translated as “little strips” in Spanish, is part of Tex-Mex cuisine. This type of cuisine is a blend of food and ingredients from the border regions between Texas and Mexico. Fajitas are said to have been first made in the US, but because of their strong Mexican flavor, they are considered a fusion dish.

How to Make Shrimp Fajitas

Before beginning to make shrimp fajitas, make sure the shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry with a paper towel. Then, prepare the remaining ingredients and sauté. Here’s a quick overview of the process.

• Season the shrimp: Season the shrimp with our crazy good fajita seasoning.
• Cook the shrimp: In a preheated large skillet at medium-high heat, add olive oil. Cook the shrimp until light pink in color. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
• Sauté the vegetables: Add an extra tablespoon of oil into the pan, then sauté the bell peppers and onions until soft and slightly golden.
• Combine: Place all ingredients back into the pan and combine by stirring.

Shrimp Fajitas 101: Tips You Must Know

Even though this shrimp fajita recipe is easy to make and the fajitas will surely turn out uber tasty, go above and beyond by following these tips.

• Buy frozen peeled/deveined large or jumbo shrimp: In general, frozen shrimp is best as it is usually frozen right away, preserving its fresh quality. For ease of cooking, buy peeled and deveined large/jumbo shrimp. Larger shrimp is harder to overcook compared to small shrimp. If you buy shrimp that still has the tail on, remove the tail prior to cooking.
• Use raw shrimp: Raw shrimp have a better flavor compared to cooked shrimp. Also, it is easier to control doneness when using raw shrimp. If you use cooked shrimp, you may overcook the shrimp, making it rubbery. If using frozen raw shrimp, defrost in the fridge or in cold water.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan: Allow room between shrimp when sauteeing in the pan. If shrimp are packed too tightly, they will cook unevenly. Cook the shrimp in batches, if needed.
• Cook shrimp until just done: Shrimp is ready when it turns a light pink color, or once the temperature reaches 165°F. Avoid overcooking shrimp as this alters the taste and texture of the meat.
• Marinate the shrimp (optional): For a boost of flavor, place the shrimp in the fajita seasoning marinade and allow shrimp to marinate for about 20 minutes prior to cooking.
• Cut veggies equally: For even cooking, cut the veggies to approximately the same size.

Serving Shrimp Fajitas

The Classic Way

The classic way to serve shrimp fajitas is in warm homemade flour tortillas (or corn tortillas) with a variety of toppings like sour cream, pico de gallo, creamy tomatillo dressing with fresh cilantro, guacamole, and/or salsa. Simply scoop a generous portion of the shrimp fajitas into a warm tortilla, add preferred toppings, squirt fresh lime juice on top, then wrap the tortilla up like a burrito.

Make a Burrito Bowl

If you want to skip the classic way and take a new path, serve the shrimp fajitas in a “burrito bowl”. In a bowl, layer your choice of toppings over the shrimp fajitas. In addition to sour cream, guacamole, and tomatillo dressing, some other great options include refried beans, cilantro lime rice, Mexican corn salad, and black bean and corn salsa. Is your mouth watering yet?

How to Best Store and Reheat Fajitas

Shrimp fajitas are the most mouth-wateringly delicious when served warm and fresh off the stove. However, if you made a big batch, don’t fret — these fajitas also keep well!

• Refrigerator: To store up to three or four days, place fajita leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Reheating: For the best reheated shrimp fajitas, use the stove or oven. Heat in a skillet or oven safe dish/pan over medium heat until warmed through. Avoid overheating as this can further cook the shrimp, making even the tastiest cooked shrimp turn rubbery.

FAQ

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

• Crock Pot Chicken – Creamy and flavorful shredded chicken in sauce
• The Best Steak Fajitas – Classic fajitas with onion, bell peppers and your favorite tortilla!
• Grilled Chicken Street Tacos – Marinated in a citrusy cilantro marinade.
• Stuffed Bell Peppers – Tex-Mex inspired ground turkey, rice, veggies, beans, and cheese, stuffed into a bell pepper
• Mexican Street Corn Salad – Elote in a bowl
• Ground Beef Quesadillas – Ground beef and cheese stuffed between two tortillas
• Taco Seasoning – Homemade, zesty blend of spices perfect for tacos

Recipe

30 Minute Shrimp Fajitas (OnePan)

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Servings

6 servings

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

Are you craving Tex-Mex flavor but also want minimal clean up? These 30 minute one-pan shrimp fajitas are sure to make fajita night a weekly rotation.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs large shrimp peeled & deveined
• 3 tbsp Fajita seasoning
• 1 red bell pepper julienned
• 1 green bell pepper julienned
• 1 large yellow onion half rings
• 2 tbsp oil olive or avocado

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Season shrimp with fajita seasoning.
  
• Preheat your skillet with 1 tbsp of oil to medium high. Add the shrimp and cook until light pink for about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  
• Julienne bell peppers and cut onions into half rings. To the same pan, add 1 tbsp of oil and cook all the veggies until they are soft and slightly golden.
  
• Add shrimp back into the pan. Toss together and enjoy!
  

Nutrition Facts

30 Minute Shrimp Fajitas (OnePan)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 167 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Trans Fat 0.03g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 191mg64%

Sodium 959mg40%

Potassium 274mg8%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 21g42%

Vitamin A 1084IU22%

Vitamin C 43mg52%

Calcium 89mg9%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.