Dive into a flavor-packed adventure with this Mexican Shrimp Diablo recipe. Combining the heat of chipotle in adobo with the sweetness of fire-roasted tomatoes, this dish brings a fiery kick to your dining table. The blend of fresh vegetables and succulent shrimp will leave your taste buds dancing.
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be common in every household. Chipotle in adobo adds a smoky heat to the dish and can be found in the international section of most supermarkets. Fire-roasted tomatoes provide a rich, slightly smoky flavor that differs from regular canned tomatoes. Make sure to grab fresh cilantro, zucchini, and avocado for an authentic taste.
Ingredients For Mexican Shrimp Diablo Recipe
Olive oil: Used for sautéing, it adds a subtle flavor and helps in cooking the onions and garlic.
Yellow onion: Provides a sweet and savory base to the dish.
Garlic cloves: Adds a pungent, aromatic element to the sauce.
Fire roasted tomatoes: Gives a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the sauce.
Cilantro: Adds freshness and a hint of citrus flavor.
Chipotle in adobo: Provides a smoky heat that’s essential for the ‘Diablo’ element.
Brown sugar: Balances the heat and acidity of the sauce.
Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavors.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps in sautéing the vegetables.
Corn kernel: Adds sweetness and a crunchy texture.
Zucchini: Provides a fresh and slightly sweet flavor.
Red onion: Adds a sharp, tangy flavor and vibrant color.
Garlic powder: Adds an extra layer of garlic flavor to the vegetables.
Dried oregano: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor.
Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a slight heat and enhances flavors.
Lime juice: Provides a tangy brightness to the dish.
Shrimp: The star protein of the dish, offering a sweet and savory flavor.
Avocado: Adds a creamy texture and a mild flavor.
One reader, Ave Vincent says:
This Mexican shrimp diablo recipe is a flavor explosion! The spicy, smoky sauce perfectly complements the tender shrimp and fresh veggies. It's easy to make and absolutely delicious. My family couldn't get enough!
Techniques for Preparing Mexican Shrimp Diablo
How to sauté onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add chopped yellow onion, and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. How to sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet with the onions and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. How to blend ingredients: Transfer sautéed onions and garlic to a blender along with fire roasted tomatoes, cilantro, chipotle in adobo, brown sugar, and salt, then blend until smooth. How to melt butter: Add butter to the skillet and allow it to melt over medium heat. How to sauté vegetables: Add corn, zucchini, red onion, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to the melted butter in the skillet, and cook until softened and browned on the edges, about 8 minutes. How to squeeze lime juice: Cut a lime in half and squeeze the juice over the sautéed vegetables on the serving platter. How to cook shrimp: Add shrimp to the skillet with the sauce from the blender, coat them well, and cook for 5 minutes until the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce has thickened. How to garnish: Place the shrimp and sauce over the vegetables, then garnish with avocado slices and cilantro.
How To Make Mexican Shrimp Diablo
Seafood lovers are going to enjoy this spicy shrimp recipe! It’s loaded with flavorful seasonings, and can be whipped up in just under an hour.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1tspolive oil
- 1yellow onion,small, diced
- 2garlic cloves,minced
- 14½ozfire roasted tomatoes,diced
- ¼cupcilantro,chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1tbspchipotle in adobo,chopped
- 1tspbrown sugar
- 1tspkosher salt,divided
- 1tbspunsalted butter
- 2cupscorn kernel,from 2 medium ears of corn
- 8ozzucchini,cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½red onion,medium, halved and cut into wedges
- 1tspgarlic powder
- ½tspdried oregano
- freshly ground black pepper,to taste
- ½lime juice
- 1lbshrimp,large peeled and deveined
- 4ozavocado,from 1 small Hass, sliced
Instructions
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In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil.
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Sauté the yellow onion for 3 for 4 minutes or until translucent.
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Add the garlic and sauté 30 seconds more.
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Transfer to a blender with the tomatoes, cilantro, chipotle in adobo, brown sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt.
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In the skillet, add the butter and allow to melt.
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Add the corn, zucchini, red onion, garlic powder, oregano, ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper.
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Sauté until softened and browned on the edges for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Transfer to a serving platter, then squeeze lime juice over the top.
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Transfer the sauce from the blender to the skillet, then add the shrimp.
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Coat the shrimp with the sauce, then allow them to cook in the sauce for 5 minutes until cooked through and sauce has thickened.
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Pour the shrimp and sauce over the top of the vegetables, and garnish with avocado and cilantro.
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Serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 406.72kcal
- Fat: 11.82g
- Saturated Fat: 3.21g
- Trans Fat: 0.14g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 5.02g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.90g
- Carbohydrates: 53.53g
- Fiber: 8.78g
- Sugar: 11.98g
- Protein: 23.70g
- Cholesterol: 150.51mg
- Sodium: 1158.53mg
- Calcium: 117.24mg
- Potassium: 1169.39mg
- Iron: 1.84mg
- Vitamin A: 169.89µg
- Vitamin C: 34.38mg
Expert Technique Tip for Mexican Shrimp Diablo Recipe
To achieve a perfectly balanced sauce for your shrimp diablo, make sure to blend the fire roasted tomatoes, cilantro, chipotle in adobo, brown sugar, and salt until completely smooth. This ensures that the shrimp is evenly coated and the flavors meld together beautifully.
Time-Saving Tips for Mexican Shrimp Diablo Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Chop the onions, garlic, zucchini, and cilantro in advance to streamline the cooking process.
Use pre-cooked shrimp: Opt for pre-cooked shrimp to cut down on cooking time.
Blend sauce early: Make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge until needed.
Frozen corn: Use frozen corn instead of fresh to save time on shucking and cutting.
One-pan method: Cook the vegetables and shrimp in the same skillet to minimize cleanup and save time.
Substitute Ingredients For Mexican Shrimp Diablo Recipe
olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and similar smoke point, making it a good alternative for cooking.
yellow onion - Substitute with white onion: White onions have a slightly sharper flavor but can be used similarly in recipes.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Use 1/8 tsp of garlic powder for each clove to maintain the garlic flavor.
fire roasted tomatoes - Substitute with regular diced tomatoes: Add a pinch of smoked paprika to mimic the smoky flavor of fire-roasted tomatoes.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can replace cilantro in most dishes.
chipotle in adobo - Substitute with smoked paprika and cayenne pepper: Combine 1 tsp smoked paprika with a pinch of cayenne for a similar smoky heat.
brown sugar - Substitute with white sugar and molasses: Mix 1 tsp white sugar with a drop of molasses to replicate the flavor of brown sugar.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a similar texture and flavor, making it a good alternative.
unsalted butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used in the same quantity and provides a similar texture and flavor.
corn kernel - Substitute with frozen corn: Thaw and drain frozen corn to use as a direct substitute for fresh corn kernels.
zucchini - Substitute with yellow squash: Yellow squash has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a good replacement.
red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can be used in place of red onions.
garlic powder - Substitute with granulated garlic: Granulated garlic has a similar flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Thyme has a slightly different flavor but can be used as a substitute in most recipes.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and can be used in the same quantity.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor.
shrimp - Substitute with chicken breast: Cut chicken breast into small pieces to mimic the size and texture of shrimp.
avocado - Substitute with mashed peas: Mashed peas provide a similar creamy texture and mild flavor.
Presenting Mexican Shrimp Diablo
Use a large, white plate: The simplicity of a white plate allows the vibrant colors of the Mexican Shrimp Diablo to stand out, creating a visually appealing presentation.
Create a base layer with vegetables: Arrange the sautéed corn, zucchini, and red onion mixture in a neat, circular mound in the center of the plate. This will serve as the foundation for the dish.
Layer the shrimp and sauce: Carefully place the shrimp coated in the sauce over the vegetable base, ensuring an even distribution. Allow some of the sauce to drizzle artistically around the plate.
Garnish with avocado and cilantro: Add slices of avocado on top of the shrimp, then sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro for a burst of color and freshness.
Add a lime wedge: Place a small lime wedge on the side of the plate for an extra touch of elegance and a hint to the diner to squeeze fresh lime juice over the dish.
Finish with a light drizzle of olive oil: A final, delicate drizzle of olive oil around the plate adds a glossy finish and enhances the overall presentation.
Serve with a warm tortilla: Fold a warm tortilla into a small triangle and place it on the side of the plate, offering a traditional accompaniment to the dish.
Essential Tools for Making Shrimp Diablo
Medium skillet: Used for sautéing the onions, garlic, and cooking the shrimp in the sauce.
Blender: Needed to blend the sautéed onions, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, chipotle in adobo, brown sugar, and salt into a smooth sauce.
Spatula: Useful for stirring the vegetables and ensuring they cook evenly without sticking to the skillet.
Knife: Essential for chopping the yellow onion, garlic, cilantro, and red onion.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping and preparing the vegetables and herbs.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the olive oil, chipotle in adobo, brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, and dried oregano.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the corn kernels and zucchini.
Serving platter: For transferring and presenting the sautéed vegetables before adding the shrimp and sauce.
Citrus juicer: Handy for squeezing the lime juice over the vegetables.
Tongs: Useful for handling and turning the shrimp in the skillet to ensure they cook evenly.
Mixing bowl: Optional, for holding prepped ingredients before cooking.
Storing and Freezing Mexican Shrimp Diablo
- Allow the shrimp diablo to cool completely before storing or freezing.
- Transfer the cooled shrimp diablo to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- If storing in the refrigerator, consume within 3-4 days for best quality and taste.
- To freeze, place the airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the freezer.
- Frozen shrimp diablo can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
- When ready to eat, thaw the frozen shrimp diablo in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat the thawed shrimp diablo in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
- If the sauce appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it out.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and avocado before serving the reheated shrimp diablo.
- Avoid refreezing previously frozen and thawed shrimp diablo to maintain the best texture and quality of the shrimp and vegetables.
How To Reheat Leftover Mexican Shrimp Diablo
Reheat the shrimp and sauce in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. This method will help maintain the texture of the shrimp and prevent them from becoming rubbery. Once heated, spoon the shrimp and sauce over the reheated vegetables.
For the corn, zucchini, and red onion mixture, reheat in a separate skillet over medium heat until warmed through and slightly crispy on the edges. Alternatively, you can reheat the vegetables in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
If you prefer a crispy texture for the vegetables, you can also reheat them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
To reheat the entire dish in the microwave, transfer the shrimp, sauce, and vegetables to a microwave-safe container. Cover the container with a damp paper towel to prevent the shrimp from drying out. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the dish is heated through.
If you have leftover avocado, it's best to add it fresh after reheating the dish, as reheated avocado can become mushy and unappetizing.
Garnish the reheated mexican shrimp diablo with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice to brighten up the flavors before serving.
Interesting Fact About Mexican Shrimp Diablo
A unique aspect of this Mexican Shrimp Diablo recipe is the use of chipotle in adobo, which adds a smoky and spicy flavor to the dish. This ingredient is a staple in Mexican cuisine and is made from dried and smoked jalapeño peppers rehydrated in a tangy, flavorful sauce.
Is Making Shrimp Diablo at Home Cost-Effective?
The Mexican Shrimp Diablo recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The primary ingredients like shrimp, corn, zucchini, and avocado are reasonably priced and widely available. The use of fire roasted tomatoes and chipotle in adobo adds a burst of flavor without breaking the bank. Overall, this dish offers a delightful balance of vegetables and seafood at a moderate cost. Approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $20-$25. Overall Verdict: 8/10.
Is Mexican Shrimp Diablo Healthy or Unhealthy?
This Mexican shrimp diablo recipe has both healthy and unhealthy aspects. On the positive side, it includes nutritious ingredients like:
- Shrimp, which is a lean protein source
- Vegetables such as zucchini, corn, and onions that provide essential vitamins and minerals
- Avocado, a source of healthy fats
- Fire-roasted tomatoes and cilantro, which offer antioxidants and flavor without added calories
However, there are some elements that could be improved:
- The use of butter and olive oil adds extra fat and calories
- Chipotle in adobo and brown sugar contribute to the dish's sodium and sugar content
- The recipe lacks whole grains or complex carbohydrates
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Replace the butter with additional olive oil to reduce saturated fat
- Use less chipotle in adobo and omit the brown sugar to decrease sodium and added sugars
- Serve the shrimp and vegetables over a bed of brown rice or quinoa to incorporate whole grains
- Increase the amount of zucchini and other non-starchy vegetables to boost fiber and nutrient content
- Opt for low-sodium fire-roasted tomatoes to further reduce the dish's sodium levels
By making these adjustments, you can enhance the nutritional value of the Mexican shrimp diablo while still preserving its bold flavors and textures. The inclusion of more vegetables, whole grains, and healthier cooking methods will create a more balanced and nourishing meal that you can feel good about enjoying.
Editor's Opinion on Mexican Shrimp Diablo
This Mexican Shrimp Diablo recipe is a vibrant and flavorful dish that balances heat and sweetness beautifully. The fire-roasted tomatoes and chipotle in adobo provide a smoky depth, while the brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness. The combination of sautéed vegetables with the shrimp creates a delightful texture contrast. The fresh lime juice and avocado garnish add a refreshing finish. Overall, it's a well-rounded dish that is both visually appealing and delicious, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
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Why trust this Mexican Shrimp Diablo Recipe:
This Mexican Shrimp Diablo recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves bold flavors. The combination of fire roasted tomatoes, chipotle in adobo, and cilantro creates a rich, smoky sauce that perfectly complements the shrimp. The addition of corn and zucchini adds a delightful crunch, while the avocado garnish provides a creamy finish. This dish is not only delicious but also easy to prepare, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Trust this recipe for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
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