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Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp with Tomatillo Sauce

Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp on a plate with a cup of homemade Roasted Tomatillo Sauce

Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp served with homemade Tomatillo Sauce – filled with fresh cilantro lime flavors this classic appetizer with a twist will definitely be your new favorite!

I feel like the beginning of a post is key. If I don’t grab your attention then your probably just going to scroll right down to the recipe and not see or read all the goodness that is in the actual post. Just a dilema.

I was trying to think of an awesome can’t-resist-reading-on-hook to the beginning of this post … but I got nothing.

So instead. I’m just gonna get right into what I’m thinking today. What do you think of God?

I know big question right?!

Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp on a parchment-lined baking sheet

Do you think he is some big overarching dictator in the sky looking at you with condemnation and disappointment when you don’t “live up to his expectations?” Or do you think of him as a good loving Father?

WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT GOD WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING?

Think about it. Some people have had rough times in life. Lost loved ones, not understanding why. Lived in abusive homes and not seen a way out, or worse yet maybe never had a home. They probably see God as someone who doesn’t care about them -not a loving God.

Others have had to work hard for everything, nothing came easy. Work hard … and you get what you want. They see God as someone they have to earn their love from.

Others may see God as some high being in the sky who keeps a tally of the good things you do in life verses the bad things you do – basically a glorified Santa Clause.

Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp on a plate with a cup of homemade Roasted Tomatillo Sauce

Here is the truth of what I know and have experienced in life. I have seen God mend marriages that seem hopeless. I have seen God break addictions – alcoholic,  sexual, drugs… that seem unbreakable! I have seen God bring orphaned abused children into loving homes. I have seen God bless families with a child after years of infertility.

It has taken me a while, but God has been patient and constant to show who he really is. Out of all the hard times and pain in life I have seen that God is faithful. He will not leave us in pain. He will not abandon us in our weakness. He will not let us continue to get “hammered” by life.

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, Bring her into the wilderness And speak kindly to her. Then I will give her her vineyards from there, And the valley of Achor as a door of hope.”  Hosea 2:14-15

Collage of Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp before and after cooking

This verse is beautiful to me, God is saying that in our hardest time when we feel all alone {or in our “dessert”} he is going to meet us there and speak tenderly to us. He is going to show us his heart for us.

I just envision a father bending down to his little girl and whispering… “I love you. I am right here with you. I will protect you. Don’t carry this burden alone. I will help you. I am your shelter. I am your comforter, you can cry in my arms.”

Then after he consoles us and shows us how much he loves us and then says he will give us “vineyards.”  Not only that, the place that were broken, where all the hurt happen – that place will be a “door of hope.”

How incredible is that!? Seriously just love it! That is God’s heart towards us, a loving consoling gracious tender father who cares deeply for his children!

Top view of Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp on a plate with a cup of homemade Roasted Tomatillo Sauce

So what do you believe about God? How do you see him? Do you see him as a good loving father or an all powerful being keeping track of your rights and wrongs?

Thats what was on my mind today. Now that I’ve filled your hearts and minds how bout I fill those tummies!

Way back in November I posted these Garlic Herb Roasted Shrimp served with a Homemade Cocktail Sauce and it BLEW UP on pinterest … literally. It has had over 148,000 pins/repins (that I can see) since then which is crazy to me. So clearly I know that people like Shrimp!

Since Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner and I will use any excuse I can to make Mexican Food – todays recipe is a Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp with a Tomatillo Sauce.

The shrimp is covered fresh cilantro, lime, garlic, and smoked paprika – roasted to perfection in 8 minutes. The tomatillo sauce is made with roasted fresh tomatillo, poblanos, and red onions and finished off with lots of lime juice and fresh cilantro.

BEST appetizer ever! Period!

It’s a fun southwestern twist on a classic appetizer that everyone will love.

Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp being dipped into roasted tomatillo sauce

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A pile of Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Tomatillo Sauce in a bowl.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Roasted Tomatillo Sauce

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Cook Time: 28 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 35 jumbo shrimp 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Roasted
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

The easy shrimp appetizer is covered with fresh cilantro, tangy lime, spicy garlic, and smoked paprika. It’s served with a fresh tomatillo lime sauce.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Shrimp:

  • 3135 jumbo shrimp, shell off and deveined
  • 3/4 cup of fresh cilantro, diced
  • 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • juice of 1 lime (about 1 tablespoons)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon of pepper
  • zest of one lime

For the Tomatillo Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 poblano, roast it whole but only use half in the sauce
  • 45 tomatillos
  • 1/4 cup of of red onions (cut in a big wedge)
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro
  • 23 tablespoons of lime juice
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Place red onion, tomatillos, and poblano on baking sheet. Season 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Bake for 20 minutes.
  4. Remove from oven and place in blender with cilantro, lime juice, garlic clove, salt, & pepper to taste. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
  5. In a small bowl mix, 3/4 cup of fresh cilantro, red wine vinegar, olive oil, lime juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, lime zest, salt, and pepper. Whisk until combined.
  6. Pour cilantro lime sauce over shrimp that has been patted dry, toss to coat everything.
  7. Spread seasoned shrimp out on a baking sheet, making sure they are in a single layer.
  8. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until pink.
  9. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with tomatillo sauce.

Filed Under:

 IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO SNAP A PIC AND HASHTAG IT#JOYFULHEALTHYEATS. I LOVE SEEING WHAT YOU MAKE!

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48 comments on “Cilantro Lime Roasted Shrimp with Tomatillo Sauce”

  1. Wonderful layers of flavor on the shrimp! We doubled the tomatillos, used the whole poblano and added some cumin and happy pepper and made rice/quinoa to turn it into a meal for the two of us Loved it!






    1. I have not. I’m not sure that it would stick to the shrimp and adhere as well as it will to raw shrimp. But you could still use the tomatillo sauce for dipping.

  2. I came here for a recipe but got so much more. Thank you for your thoughts on God! I still plan on trying the recipe but the food that you reminded me my soul needs was truly appreciated. I can’t thank you enough. I needed that today.

    1. Ohhh thank you so much for the encouragement Marilyn, that means the world. So glad that you found a recipe and boost from the Lord today!

  3. The shrimp are a starter much appreciated, I’m going to try this sauce special, congratulations






  4. That was a word for me in this moment ,because I don’t eat shrimp but I will be making it for family . GOD BLESS YOU !!

  5. Avatar photo
    Thalia @ butter and brioche

    These shrimp look SO delicious and addictive. I love making snacks like this to munch on – so you definitely can consider I will be making the recipe!

    1. THEY ARE!!! I had to start rationing or I would have eaten them all. 🙂 hope you like them Thalia!

  6. Avatar photo
    Renee Beckman

    I love the tomatillo sauce with this recipe. I made pasta with grilled veggies and put the shrimp and the sauce in the pasta! It was amazing!






    1. Oh.. genius idea Renee! I am soo trying that next time I make these. Perfect way to make it a meal instead of an appetizer!

  7. Avatar photo
    Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files

    I always love when I come to your post and get a lesson in centering my life around God! I definitely have been on both sides – doubtful and loving – but luckily I am on the same side as him and let him more in my life than ever before. And its a beautiful thing! It takes work and dedication but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

    And these shrimp? The last ones blew up on pinterest because they were INCREDIBLE and these are going too as well! I know these are calling my name as my dad, hubby and myself could devour a couple batches of these!

    1. So awesome Meg! 🙂 The best things in life you have to make an effort for!

      Including these shrimp, some serious good stuff girl! Thanks for the words of encouragement, you are so sweet! 🙂

  8. Avatar photo
    Patricia @ Grab a Plate

    The shrimp looks amazing and the tomatillo sauce? Wow! One of my favorite things! Lovely verse, too. Thanks for giving me food for thought 🙂

    1. Absolutely Patricia, I love giving more than just a recipe. 🙂 Hope you get a chance to try these shrimp, you’ll love them!

  9. Avatar photo
    Kelly @ Mostly Homemade Mom

    What beautiful words about our loving and faithful God! I think it’s hard when we go through really tough things, or have close friends who go through really tough things, to encourage them to not give up on Him. He really is faithful and no matter how many times we want to give up on Him, He will never give up on us. What an awesome God we serve! This post really uplifted me today, and of course that beautiful shrimp puts me in the summer grilling mood – yum!

  10. Krista, I so appreciate your openness! You encourage me to be more open with my readers about my faith!

    1. Ah… thanks Beth! Do it!!! There is so much freedom in it! You will start to love it and who knows maybe something you say will drastically impact someone for the better! 🙂

  11. Avatar photo
    Heather - Butter&Burlap

    This is my first time to your site and I’m so impressed! Being a new blogger – I clearly have a long way to go! But I love the message you’ve provided and it’s so beautifully written. I also love this recipe! Clearly I need to be making more shrimp if it’s gonna look that good! Also.. is it really almost Cinco de Mayo?!

    1. Thank you so much Heather! You so need to make more shrimp, especially in the summer months – its mandatory! 🙂

      So glad you found me on the web, always love “meeting” new readers! If you ever need anything just give me a shout, I’d love to encourage you as you begin your journey blogging!

  12. Avatar photo
    Nicole @ Or Whatever You Do

    What a beautiful post! All of it. Its amazing to have a relationship with God that makes me 100% certain of where I’m headed when I die.

  13. Avatar photo
    Erin @ Platings and Pairins

    This looks AMAZING – I love shrimp and I love tomatillos so of course I can’t wait to try. Pinned!

  14. Yo! WHERE do you buy your shrimp? Maybe it’s because I’m from the Gulf Coast and I’m used to crazy-amazing fresh seafood, but I haven’t been able to find any shrimp here that’s not puny and slimy! Your pics don’t look like that at all…spill it. 🙂

    1. haha… you crack me up Jennifer! My secret is HEB (its our local grocery store) and they get all their shrimp from the gulf coast because I live near the gulf! Woot Woot!

      1. Avatar photo
        Barbara Espinosa

        I used to live in Texas on the Gulf coast and my dad bought shrimp right off the boat just as soon as they docked.






  15. Avatar photo
    Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness

    You write the more beautiful posts girl! I am seriously working hard on my relationship with God. I see Hm as a loving father, but I feel like I don’t measure up and deserve that love sometimes. SO amazing that He offers it so freely though…trying to remember that he is the God of love AND mercy and doesn’t need perfection.
    But, you what is perfection? These shrimp. I need them all! Pinned!

    1. YES!!! Amen to that girl, I’ve struggled with that “unworthiness” feeling before too! But best thing is there is no shame, no guilt, no unworthiness is Jesus mind its just beauty! And thats exactly what you are to him, beautiful – both inside and out! Hugs sweet friend!

      Thanks for the pin girl, always appreciate the love1

  16. Avatar photo
    Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)

    What do I think about God? God is EVERYTHING. I believe that everything is divine order so I try to stay positive in everything I do so I can truly always be connected to the voice of God so I can be guided in the right direction. Easier said than done that’s for sure. Also this shrimp is absolutely perfect. I would seriously eat this for breakfast this morning.

    1. Amen to that girl! Love that. God’s voice, hearing him, and then seeing him work is life changing! Love that you are doing that! Wish we lived closer so we could sit, have coffee and just chat about what He’s doing! 🙂

  17. Avatar photo
    Kacey @ The Cookie Writer

    Wow, do these shrimp ever look amazing! Love the ease of the recipe and cannot wait to share with my husband. Keep up with your beliefs and don’t let others detour you 🙂

  18. Avatar photo
    Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me

    Such a beautiful recipe. I love shrimp, it is so easy and quick to make and goes with so many wonderful flavors.