Cilantro Lime Shrimp (Costco Copycat)

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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.

Costco Copycat Cilantro Lime Shrimp in serving dish.

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.

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Ingredients
Directions
FAQ
Ways to use Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Storage
More Shrimp Recipes
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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 refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and detailed 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.

Open package of Costco's cilantro lime shrimp. — I picked up this package of cilantro lime shrimp at Costco so you could see what it looks like!

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:

Is Costco Cilantro Lime Shrimp fully cooked?

Yes. Costco lists cooked shrimp as the first ingredient on the packaging label. It has not been ceviche cooked.

Can you freeze Costco Cilantro Lime Shrimp?

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!

Chilled cilantro lime shrimp on a plate with forks next to it.

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.

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