Cilantro Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
I love tacos, and my husband is obsessed with them. He could eat them every day. With this in mind, I started making lettuce wraps as a lighter alternative to a taco shell, and they now sit beside my taco board and my Pace chicken lettuce wraps in our regular rotation.
Cilantro and lime are two of our favorite flavors. In particular, I use Bibb lettuce as the shell because the leaves are large enough to hold the toppings and they are flavorful yet low in calories. If you love shrimp as much as we do, try my pesto basil shrimp with chickpea pasta and my lemon shrimp with white beans next.
Shrimp is easy to prepare, which keeps this meal quick and low-carb. What’s more, the Cajun seasoning and lime give it a spicy, tangy kick. As a result, it works as dinner or as a party bite next to surf and turf bites and cheesy shrimp and crab dip.
What Are Cilantro Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps?
In essence, they are shrimp tacos without the shell. Shrimp are cooked with garlic, lime, Cajun seasoning and peppercorn seasoning, then spooned into Bibb lettuce leaves and topped with red onion, pico de gallo, cilantro and lime.
Ingredients (With Purpose & Flavor Notes)
- Small shrimp (1 pound). Quick-cooking and tender.
- Olive oil and garlic (2 teaspoons). The start of the pan sauce.
- Lime zest (1 1/2 teaspoons) and lime juice (1/3 cup). Bright and tangy.
- Cajun seasoning (1 tablespoon). The spice.
- Peppercorn seasoning (4 teaspoons). A peppery bite.
- Salt and pepper. To taste.
- Bibb lettuce (1 container). The leaves are the taco shells.
- Red onion (1, diced) and pico de gallo (1 cup). The toppings.
- Cilantro (1 bundle) and limes (3 small, sliced). The fresh finish.
Everything I Love for This Recipe
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Large Skillet
Room for a pound of shrimp in one layer.
Citrus Zester
For the lime zest.
Citrus Juicer
For a third of a cup of lime juice.
Tongs
For turning the shrimp.
Chef’s Knife
For dicing onion and chopping cilantro.
Cutting Board
A sturdy prep surface.
Mixing Bowl
Holds the cooked shrimp.
Small Serving Bowls
For pico de gallo and red onion.
Serving Platter
For arranging the lettuce cups.
Salad Spinner
Dries the lettuce so the wraps stay crisp.
Garlic Press
Quick minced garlic.
Measuring Spoons
For the seasonings.
How To Make Cilantro Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Step 1: Start the Pan
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and garlic and sauté for one minute.
Step 2: Cook the Shrimp
Add the lime zest, lime juice, Cajun seasoning, peppercorn seasoning, salt, pepper and shrimp. Cook until the shrimp are pink, about seven to ten minutes.
Step 3: Rest
Turn off the heat and transfer the shrimp to a bowl.
Step 4: Fill the Lettuce
Spoon the shrimp into the Bibb lettuce leaves. Top with red onion, pico de gallo, cilantro and a lime slice.
Step 5: Serve
Serve and enjoy!
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients
- olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic
- 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest
- 1/3 cup lime juice
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 4 teaspoons peppercorn seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound small shrimp
- 1 container Bibb lettuce leaves separated, for the wraps
- 1 red onion diced, for garnish
- 1 cup pico de gallo for garnish
- 1 bundle cilantro
- 3 small limes sliced
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and garlic and sauté for one minute.
- Add the lime zest, lime juice, Cajun seasoning, peppercorn seasoning, salt, pepper and shrimp. Cook until the shrimp are pink, about seven to ten minutes.
- Turn off the heat and transfer the cooked shrimp to a bowl.
- Spoon the shrimp into the lettuce leaves. Top with red onion, pico de gallo, cilantro and a lime slice.
- Serve and enjoy!
KEEP HOSTING
More to make and share — fresh wraps and shrimp bites.
Pace Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Crisp lettuce cups filled with savory, seasoned chicken.
Get the Recipe →
Spicy Shrimp Buffalo Dip
A bold, creamy buffalo dip with a spicy shrimp kick.
Get the Recipe →Variations
Change the Protein
Use chicken, as in my Pace chicken lettuce wraps linked above.
Go Meatless
Spinach, onion and mushroom quesadillas are another light option.
Adjust the Heat
Use less Cajun seasoning for a milder wrap.
Make It a Bowl
Serve the shrimp over a cucumber tomato avocado salad.
When I Love Serving These Wraps
Taco Tuesday
All the flavor, none of the shell.
Light Weeknight Dinners
Furthermore, dinner is ready in about 20 minutes.
Summer Parties
They look beautiful on a platter.
Cinco de Mayo
Serve them with a pitcher of something cold.
Girls’ Night In
Equally important, everyone can build their own.
Lunch at Home
A fresh break from sandwiches.
What To Serve With Them
A Salad
An easy chicken cobb mason jar salad or honey basil peach fruit salad.
A Seafood Starter
Easy crab toast with lemon mayo or a spring tinned fish board.
Fresh Vegetables
An epic veggie tray.
A Cold Drink
A cucumber mule, a watermelon basil spritzer or raspberry lemonade.
Shelf Life & Storage Tips
- Serve right away. Fill the lettuce just before serving so it stays crisp.
- Leftover shrimp. Refrigerate in a covered container, separate from the lettuce.
- Prep ahead. Dice the onion and slice the limes before you start cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lettuce works best?
Bibb lettuce. The leaves are large enough to hold the toppings.
How do I know the shrimp are done?
They turn pink.
Are they spicy?
The Cajun seasoning and peppercorn seasoning give them a kick.
What toppings do I use?
Red onion, pico de gallo, cilantro and a slice of lime.
Are they low-carb?
Yes. The lettuce replaces the taco shell.
Final Thoughts
All things considered, these wraps give us everything we love about taco night in a lighter form. Without a doubt, the cilantro and lime make them. I promise your family will love them.
