Zesty Lime Shrimp Bites

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 6 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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Zesty Lime Shrimp Bites are the perfect blend of fresh and spicy, bringing a vibrant twist to your appetizer lineup. Ideal for summer gatherings or a light, refreshing snack, these bites are sure to impress with their simplicity and flavor.

Ingredients for Zesty Lime Shrimp Bites

Shrimp serves as the star of this dish, offering a tender and juicy bite. Choose medium-sized shrimp for the best texture. The olive oil helps to coat the shrimp, ensuring even cooking and a slight richness. Lime juice and lime zest provide a refreshing zing, while chili flakes add just the right amount of heat. Salt and black pepper enhance all the flavors, and fresh cilantro gives a pop of color and herbal notes. Finally, the cucumber slices act as a cool, crisp base for the shrimp, complementing the spice and citrus.

Tips & Tricks

  • Pat the shrimp dry before marinating for better flavor absorption.
  • Don't overcrowd the skillet — cook in batches if needed to ensure even cooking.
  • Use a microplane to zest the lime for a finer texture that's easier to mix.

Serving Suggestions

These shrimp bites pair wonderfully with a chilled white wine or a light beer. Consider serving alongside a fresh garden salad or a fruit platter for a balanced appetizer spread. They also work well as a topping for a vibrant green salad, adding protein and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just make sure they are fully thawed and patted dry before marinating.
How can I make this dish less spicy?
Simply reduce the amount of chili flakes or omit them entirely for a milder version.

Zesty Lime Shrimp Bites Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a large bowl and mixing together the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. This marinade is your key to flavorful shrimp. Toss the shrimp into this zesty concoction, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Let them marinate for about 10 minutes — just enough time to soak up all those flavors.

Next, heat a skillet over medium heat. Once heated, place the shrimp in the skillet in a single layer. Cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side, watching them turn pink and opaque. This is when they're perfectly cooked. Remove them from the skillet and give them a moment to cool slightly.

While the shrimp cools, arrange the cucumber slices on your serving platter. Once the shrimp are ready to handle, place one on each cucumber slice. Finish off with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for that final touch of flavor and color.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare — done in under 30 minutes.
  • Perfectly balanced flavors with a zesty lime kick and a hint of spice.
  • Beautiful presentation that will wow your guests.
  • Healthy and fresh ingredients that are satisfying yet light.

Ingredients

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp lime zest
1 tsp chili flakes
1 medium cucumber, sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
2. Add shrimp to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque.
4. Remove shrimp from skillet and let cool slightly.
5. Arrange cucumber slices on a serving platter and place a cooked shrimp on each slice.
6. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

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