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This mouthwatering Cilantro Lime Shrimp (Costco Copycat) is an easy, healthy shrimp recipe that cooks quickly and can be served warm or chilled.

When we do our Costco run, their Cilantro Lime Shrimp always manages to find its way to our cart. Why?
Because their Mexican-inspired cold shrimp is so flavorful, and there are so many ways to use it. If you don't have a store near you or can't get there when the craving hits, you're in luck! This shrimp recipe is easy to make.
Ingredients
Costco's Cilantro Lime Shrimp label is long and full of ingredients you may not have on hand. Luckily, you can get the bold, delicious flavor with these simple ingredients:
- Shrimp - peeled, deveined, tail on or off. Costco takes the tail off. They also use large shrimp. However, any variety or size of shrimp may be used, including rock shrimp. Bump the cooking time up for large-sized shrimp.
- Olive oil and/or butter - We compromise and use half each. However, you can use all of one or the other.
- Lime juice - You'll need one lime. We suggest buying an additional one to cut into sections and squeeze over the top before serving.
- Garlic cloves - Finely chop or press them through a garlic press.
- Fresh cilantro - Use as much as desired!
- Chili pepper or cayenne pepper is optional and can be added for a bit of heat.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.
Tip: Add finely diced and sauteed shallots and onion, and finish with a sprinkling of sesame seeds to more closely mimic the Costco version.
Directions
Although you can cook shrimp in a skillet, I like to double this cilantro lime shrimp recipe, so cooking it in the oven is easier! One pound of shrimp fits perfectly in a 9x13-inch baking dish. So, I use two at once. Here's how to do it:
- Pat shrimp dry with a paper towel and place in a large glass baking dish.
- Mix melted butter and/or olive oil, lime juice, and garlic together and pour it over the shrimp. Toss to coat and then arrange shrimp in a single layer. Add chili pepper in this step if using.
- Allow shrimp to marinate for 15 minutes, but no longer than 30 minutes.
- Bake shrimp for 10 minutes or until shrimp are pink and no longer opaque.
- Finish by sprinkling fresh chopped cilantro over the top. For more intense flavor, squeeze a little more lime on top.
Stovetop Directions
If you're preparing a small portion, the stovetop method may be your best bet for cooking cilantro lime shrimp. Once the shrimp finish marinating (step 3 above), pour them into a large skillet along with the marinade.
Cook over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring periodically to cook all the shrimp evenly. Finish the dish by stirring in fresh cilantro.
FAQ
Below are a few questions that often come up related to this recipe:
Yes. Costco lists cooked shrimp as the first ingredient on the packaging label. It has not been ceviche cooked.
Yes. According to the FDA you can freeze cooked shrimp that has previously been frozen. It's best to freeze it well before the use-by date since it will need time to defrost.
Ways to use Cilantro Lime Shrimp
There are many healthy, low-carb ways to use cilantro lime shrimp, whether you make it yourself or buy it at Costco. Here are some serving ideas:
- Chilled appetizer - Leave the tails on!
- Shrimp Guacamole Bites - layer cucumber slices (or crackers) with guacamole and shrimp.
- Make cold shrimp salad - roughly chop the shrimp and stir in avocado and veggies.
- Over zoodles or pasta.
- Over roasted riced cauliflower or other grain
- In shrimp tacos
- In rice bowls
- In shrimp poke bowls
- On salads
- On pizza
Click here for more of the best side dishes to serve with shrimp!
Storage
Making extra cilantro lime shrimp is a terrific make-ahead meal plan. Here's how to store and reheat it.
- Refrigerator - Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer - Store in a bag with a tight seal for up to 2 months. Squeeze extra air out of the bag as you close it. Keep shrimp in a single layer so it will defrost quickly. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat - If serving shrimp warm, add a little olive oil or butter to a skillet and saute over medium-low heat until the shrimp are heated through.
More Shrimp Recipes
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📋 Recipe
Cilantro Lime Shrimp (Costco Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 pound medium shrimp peel, deveined and tail on or off
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil any combination of olive oil and butter may be used.
- 1 Tablespoon butter melted
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice about 1 fresh lime
- 2-3 garlic cloves pressed or minced
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Pat shrimp dry with a paper towel and place in a large glass baking dish. Mix melted butter and/or olive oil, lime juice, and garlic together and pour it over the shrimp. Toss to coat and then arrange shrimp in a single layer.
- Allow shrimp to marinate for 15 minutes, but no longer than 30 minutes.
- Bake shrimp for 10 minutes or until shrimp are pink and no longer opaque. Finish by sprinkling fresh chopped cilantro over the top. For more intense flavor, squeeze a little more lime on top.
Notes
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- Refrigerator - Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
-
- Freezer - Store in a bag with a tight seal for up to 2 months. Squeeze extra air out of the bag as you close it. Keep shrimp in a single layer so it will defrost quickly. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
-
- Reheat - If serving shrimp warm, add a little olive oil or butter to a skillet and saute over medium-low heat until the shrimp are heated through.
Nutrition
This recipe has been updated to improve the reader experience.
Deb
I like both limes and lemons, but maybe lemons a bit more 🙂 I like the ease of this and would be perfect for a weeknight meal after work - on the table in no time in 30 minutes works for me!
Marjory
Thanks Deb! I love it when there are leftovers too...just had some for lunch!
Jazzy
Made this several times as an easy, no fuss way to prepare shrimp. Nice change of pace from scampi.
Marjory Pilley
I'm so happy you enjoyed it.