Learn how to make these vibrant Spicy Tomatillo Shrimp Bowls featuring tender broiled shrimp and a tangy homemade tomatillo sauce. This quick Mexican-inspired recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love These Tomatillo Shrimp Bowls
These Mexican shrimp bowls combine the tangy brightness of tomatillos with perfectly seasoned shrimp for a meal that’s both impressive and easy to prepare. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe creates a balanced dish with just the right amount of spice, acidity, and freshness. Perfect for busy weeknights but special enough for entertaining guests.
The Perfect Tomatillo Sauce
The vibrant green tomatillo sauce forms the flavorful foundation of this dish. Fresh tomatillos provide a unique tangy flavor that’s difficult to replicate with other ingredients. When simmered with jalapeños, onions, garlic, cilantro, and cumin, they transform into a sauce that perfectly balances fresh, tangy notes with earthy undertones.
This versatile sauce can be adjusted to your preferred spice level by adding or reducing the amount of jalapeños. The natural tanginess of tomatillos complements the shrimp beautifully while creating a sauce substantial enough to form the base of the bowl.
How to Prepare Perfect Broiled Shrimp
The shrimp in this recipe are simply yet perfectly seasoned with a combination of extra virgin olive oil, paprika, and chili powder. This straightforward approach allows the natural sweetness of the shrimp to shine while adding complementary smoky and spicy notes.
Broiling the shrimp creates slight charring that adds depth of flavor while keeping the cooking process quick and hands-off. The high heat seals in juices while creating deliciously crispy edges. The result is tender, flavorful shrimp that pair perfectly with the vibrant tomatillo sauce.
Assembling Your Tomatillo Shrimp Bowls
Creating these bowls is simple but yields impressive results:
- Pour the warm tomatillo sauce into shallow serving bowls
- Arrange the broiled shrimp on top of the sauce
- Garnish with fresh cilantro for brightness
- Add a dollop of sour cream to balance the heat
- Serve with warm tortillas on the side
This presentation not only looks beautiful but also allows diners to enjoy the dish in multiple ways – scooping the shrimp and sauce directly from the bowl, or creating mini tacos with the tortillas.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These versatile shrimp bowls pair beautifully with Mexican-inspired sides. Consider serving with:
- Cilantro lime rice
- Black beans
- Sliced avocado
- Corn salsa
- Queso fresco
For variations, try:
- Substituting chicken for shrimp
- Adding roasted corn for sweetness
- Including diced avocado for creaminess
- Using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter option
Why This Recipe Works
These Spicy Tomatillo Shrimp Bowls succeed by balancing simplicity with bold flavors. The tomatillo sauce provides a tangy base that elevates the seasoned shrimp, while garnishes add freshness and creaminess to round out the dish. The entire recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for weeknight cooking without sacrificing flavor.
Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner solution or wanting to impress guests with your culinary skills, these Spicy Tomatillo Shrimp Bowls deliver Mexican-inspired flavors in a approachable, delicious package.
Spicy Tomatillo Shrimp Bowls
4
servings20
minutes20
minutes40
minutesSpicy Tomatillo Shrimp Bowls feature succulent broiled shrimp atop a tangy, vibrant tomatillo sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro and creamy sour cream, served with warm tortillas for a delightful Mexican-inspired meal.
Ingredients
- For the Shrimp
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
to taste, salt and ground black pepper
- For the Tomatillo Sauce
1 pound tomatillos, husked and rinsed
1 jalapeno, stemmed and seeded
1 large onion, quartered
3 cloves of garlic
1 cup cilantro leaves, loosely packed
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon cumin
- For Serving
warm flour tortillas
freshly chopped cilantro
sour cream
Directions
- Puree the Vegetables:
Combine the tomatillos, jalapeño, onion, garlic, and chicken broth in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. - Simmer the Sauce:
Pour the pureed mixture into a saucepan. Add the cilantro and cumin. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. - Preheat and Prep for Broiling:
Turn on your oven’s broiler and arrange the rack 4 inches from the heat source. - Broil the Shrimp:
In a bowl, toss the shrimp with extra virgin olive oil, paprika, chili powder, salt, and ground black pepper. Arrange the seasoned shrimp on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place under the broiler and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until the shrimp are pink and slightly charred. - Warm the Tortillas:
While the shrimp is broiling, warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for about 30 seconds per side, or wrap them in foil and warm in the oven. - Assemble and Serve:
Spoon some of the spicy tomatillo sauce into each bowl. Top with the broiled shrimp. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with the warm tortillas on the side.
SUGGESTED RECIPE: Sweet Corn Margarita
A Sweet Corn Margarita would make an exceptional pairing with the Spicy Tomatillo Shrimp Bowls. The natural sweetness of the corn in the margarita beautifully complements the tangy and spicy flavors of the tomatillo sauce, providing a delightful contrast. The refreshing citrus notes of the margarita help cleanse the palate between bites of the savory shrimp, enhancing each flavor without overpowering them. This pairing not only bridges traditional and modern tastes but also adds a playful, summery twist to the meal, making it even more enjoyable.
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