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Home By Meal Lunch and Dinner

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Cauliflower Rice

★★★★★ 27 Reviews Recipe Print
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By: Erin7/16/20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

cilantro lime shrimp with coconut cauliflower rice
cilantro lime shrimp with coconut cauliflower rice

For a complete and filling meal, Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Cauliflower Rice is the perfect option. It’s a tangy, zesty dish made of deliciously flavorful ingredients perfect for enjoying any night of the week!

cilantro lime shrimp on plate

The best rice and shrimp recipe of all time

Have you gotten on the cauliflower rice bandwagon yet? Personally, I’m not one to buy into “food hype,” but this one is popular for a reason. Cauliflower rice is absolutely delicious and is the perfect low-carb alternative to using regular rice! When cooked properly, you can hardly tell the difference.

For this recipe, we’re making a delicious coconut version that’s absolutely mouthwatering and is the perfect base for eating alongside cilantro lime shrimp. Oh, yeah. We can’t have a cilantro lime shrimp and coconut cauliflower rice recipe without the zesty, tangy lime shrimp!

This recipe provides a serious flavor blend that’s unmatched. When paired together, the taste of the rice and shrimp is absolutely fabulous. You’re never going to want to go back to boring rice or plain shrimp recipes ever again!

cilantro lime shrimp in pan

Ingredients used to make this shrimp and cauliflower rice recipe

Our recipe will start with a base made of frozen cauliflower rice, coconut milk, lime juice, and salt. Then, we will add shrimp that’s seasoned with garlic, lime, cilantro, and more!

Coconut cauliflower rice:

  • Frozen cauliflower rice
  • Coconut milk
  • Lime juice
  • Salt

Shrimp:

  • Frozen shrimp
  • Minced garlic
  • Cumin
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Avocado oil
  • Lime juice
  • Half lime
  • Chopped cilantro

Kitchen items used for this recipe

Only 4 main tools are needed for this recipe, in addition to a handful of measuring sizes. Here’s a quick list of everything you’ll need:

  • Large saucepan
  • Spatula or stirring utensil
  • Mixing bowl
  • Skillet
  • Measurements: 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/3 cup, 3/4 cup
cilantro lime shrimp on plate

How to make cilantro lime shrimp with coconut cauliflower rice

This recipe will consist of two parts. We will begin by preparing the cauliflower rice, and then we’ll jump into cooking the shrimp (which literally takes less than 5 minutes!). In total, this recipe should require about 20 minutes to prepare.

Cauliflower rice:

We will begin by preparing the cauliflower rice. In a large saucepan, turn the heat to medium and add the riced cauliflower.

Add the coconut milk, lime juice, and salt. Stir until no longer frozen. It may seem dry at first, but it will all blend together.

Let simmer over low heat for ten minutes, stirring occasionally.

Shrimp:

While the rice simmers, we will start the shrimp.

Prepare the shrimp by peeling, deveining, washing, and patting completely dry.

Once dry, add the shrimp to a bowl and toss with garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the avocado oil. Once hot, add in the shrimp. These cook super fast (about 60-90 seconds per side), so watch them closely. You don’t want to overcook, or they’ll become tough.

Once you flip your shrimp, add lime juice, zest, and cilantro. After a minute, stir to combine. Turn off the heat.

Place the coconut rice on a plate and add the shrimp on top. Serve with extra cilantro and lime, and enjoy!

Cauliflower rice vs. regular rice

There are understandably some differences between eating regular grain rice and eating “rice” that’s made from a vegetable. However, when cauliflower is used, the benefits far outweigh the cons!

For starters, cauliflower is extremely nutrient-dense and provides fiber, potassium, Vitamin K, B6, and more. It also tastes great and is filled with antioxidants!

When cooked and seasoned properly, cauliflower rice can definitely hold its own in a rice vs. rice standoff.

cilantro lime shrimp in pan

Helpful tips for making cilantro lime shrimp and coconut cauliflower rice

Use these tips when cooking your recipe to wind up with a cilantro lime shrimp and coconut cauliflower rice dish that’s absolutely to die for!

Avoid overcooking the cauliflower rice
For “crispier,” finer rice, watch the cauliflower rice with a close eye and avoid overcooking. When cooked too long, it can become soggy, which we want to avoid!

Rubbery shrimp
If you find yourself with chewy or rubbery shrimp, it’s probably overcooked. Next time, use the following rule of thumb to cook the shrimp for the correct amount of time.

How to perfectly cook shrimp
When cooking shrimp, it’s so important to avoid overcooking. Look for the color to change to a pink shade all over (with no gray spots), and immediately remove from the heat. It should be at the perfect consistency and ready to enjoy.

Frozen vs. raw shrimp
I usually buy frozen shrimp because it’s easier and honestly more convenient. There aren’t too many differences between buying frozen and raw shrimp, though the frozen may taste slightly less fresh because it has been cooked already. If you want to buy fresh, raw shrimp, feel free!

Try these tasty entrees next

Need more juicy dinner ideas to accompany your cilantro lime shrimp in your weekly meal round up? Try these! From honey mustard chicken and one pan salmon to sweet potato casserole and chicken chili, there’s something for every mood!

  • One Pan Honey Mustard Chicken Dinner
  • Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole
  • Easy One Pan Salmon Dinner
  • One Pan Cabbage and Potato Skillet
  • Easy White Chicken Chili Recipe (Stovetop or Crock Pot)
cilantro lime shrimp on plate

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Quarter Soul Crisis

cilantro lime shrimp on plate
★★★★★ 5 from 27 reviews

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Cauliflower Rice

For a complete and filling meal, Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Coconut Cauliflower Rice is the perfect option. It’s a tangy, zesty dish made of deliciously flavorful ingredients perfect for enjoying any night of the week!

Prep: 10Cook: 20Total: 30 minutes
Yield 4 servings 1x
Print Pin it Rate

Ingredients

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

  • 1 10oz bag frozen cauliflower rice
  • 3/4 cup coconut milk from can (the thick white part at the top)
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Shrimp

  • 1.5 lbs frozen shrimp, thawed, peeled, and deveined. 
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • zest of half lime
  • 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Start by preparing your cauliflower rice. In a large saucepan, turn heat to medium and add riced cauliflower.
  2. Add in the coconut milk, lime juice, and salt. Stir until no longer frozen. It may seem dry at first but it will all blend together.
  3. Let simmer over low heat for ten minutes, stirring occasionally, and begin to prepare your shrimp.
  4. Prepare your shrimp by peeling + deveining, washing and patting completely dry.
  5. Once dry, add shrimp to a bowl and toss with garlic, cumin, salt, pepper.
  6. Heat a skillet over medium heat, add avocado oil, and once hot, add in shrimp. These cook super fast, about 60-90 seconds per side. You don’t want to overcook your shrimp or else they will be tough.
  7. Once you flip your shrimp, add lime juice, zest, and cilantro. After a minute, stir to combine. Turn off heat.
  8. Plate coconut rice and add shrimp on top. Serve with extra cilantro and lime. Enjoy!
Author: Erin MorrisseyCategory: Dinner, gluten-free, pescetarianMethod: StovetopCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free
cilantro lime shrimp on plate

Did you make this?

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Caty says

    Posted on 4/27 at 11:15 am

    Lovedddd thissssss. So easy and so good. Halved the amount of lime juice because I’m not a big savory citrus girl and it was just the right balance for me. Love the flavor combos here. Already made this dish several times.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/27 at 2:47 pm

      Hi Caty, so glad you loved the rice and made it your own!

      Reply
  2. Sam says

    Posted on 4/11 at 8:15 pm

    This is so incredibly delicious and flavorful! Even my husband, who is a “cauliflower is not a substitute for rice” person enjoys it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/12 at 8:27 pm

      Hi Sam, so glad you both liked it!!

      Reply
  3. Sara says

    Posted on 4/1 at 7:45 pm

    yummy, easy, healthy weeknight dinner! Paired it with some cous cous!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/2 at 3:54 pm

      Hi Sara, so glad you loved it and yum!!

      Reply
  4. Sarah says

    Posted on 3/1 at 11:52 am

    This recipe couldn’t be easier or more delicious! The addition of coconut milk makes the cauliflower rice SO creamy. The dish is altogether so refreshing and light! One of my favorites, definitely adding it to my weekly rotation!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/2 at 7:55 pm

      Hi Sarah, so happy you liked it!!

      Reply
  5. Felicia says

    Posted on 1/31 at 9:52 pm

    This recipe was so quick and easy to make with the perfect flavor combination! Tasted healthy yet was also perfectly filling! This is going to definitely be one of my new go to dishes!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/31 at 10:01 pm

      Hi Felicia, I am so glad you liked it so much!

      Reply
  6. Sami says

    Posted on 1/14 at 8:43 am

    I had never made shrimp in my life, but the recipe was so easy to follow & it turned out great! Will definitely be making again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/14 at 11:36 pm

      Hi Sami, I am so happy you tried making shrimp for the first time!!

      Reply
  7. Kendra says

    Posted on 1/6 at 10:19 pm

    This is one of my favorite meals! Such a great high protein, low carb, hide the veggies but keep the flavor kind of meal! It’s creamy and delish, I make it at least once a week!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/7 at 10:32 am

      Hi Kendra, so happy you loved it so much!

      Reply
  8. Jennings Modla says

    Posted on 1/3 at 4:56 pm

    My family and I absolutely loved this recipe! Definitely a keeper.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/4 at 2:52 pm

      Hi Jennings, thanks for sharing!!

      Reply
  9. karen says

    Posted on 12/4 at 7:42 pm

    OMG this was amazing! So easy and very good. I added frozen peas to the cauli rice… will make again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/7 at 4:21 pm

      Hi Karen, I am so happy you loved it!

      Reply
  10. Sarah Schweiker says

    Posted on 10/2 at 1:41 pm

    I have made this meal multiple times in the last couple months because it is so easy and delicious!! I have even made it for a meal train and they loved it too. Perfect combination of flavors!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/3 at 4:23 am

      Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing! I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed it a few times!

      Reply
  11. Linda Gray says

    Posted on 9/14 at 8:36 pm

    One of my go-to recipes when I’m looking for something quick and healthy in between studying!! I usually add a little more milk plus the thick milk on the top to create more of a risotto. SO GOOD

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/16 at 3:56 am

      Hi Linda, I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  12. Miranda says

    Posted on 8/20 at 9:35 pm

    Omg… so so SO GOOD! This will definitely be made on the regular in our house now. Thanks for the amazing recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/21 at 8:01 am

      Hi Miranda, ah I am so glad you enjoyed it and will be a staple in your home! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Jennifer says

    Posted on 7/26 at 6:14 pm

    Made this tonight and it was wonderful!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/2 at 7:28 pm

      Hi Jennifer, so glad you enjoyed the rice. Thanks for your support!! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Linda Shemely says

    Posted on 7/22 at 7:45 pm

    I tried this recipe this evening and used lite coconut milk. Really delicious!!! I will be making this again. It is a great summer meal…well, it would be good anytime actually!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/2 at 7:44 pm

      Hi Linda, thank you so much for the kind words. So happy you liked it and made it your own. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Micaela says

    Posted on 7/21 at 5:35 pm

    Just made this, used jasmine rice instead of cauliflower and it was wonderful!! So creamy and delicious!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/2 at 7:56 pm

      Hi Micaela, so happy you liked the recipe and made it your own!

      Reply
  16. Meghan says

    Posted on 7/19 at 6:58 pm

    This recipe was so tasty!! I used Reduced Fat Coconut Milk from a can and it took maybe 12 minutes for the liquid to cook off the rice but came out great. Love the tangy lime with the hearty coconut flavor. I will definitely make this again.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/2 at 8:07 pm

      Hi Meghan, so glad you enjoyed the rice and made it your own. Thanks for your support!

      Reply
  17. Erika E says

    Posted on 7/18 at 12:45 pm

    So good! This was my first time making cauliflower rice and I’m jumping on the bandwagon. Kind of want to try this “rice” with poké!
    Jazzed up the leftovers with avocado, extra cilantro, and a drizzle of sriracha. 10/10 will make this again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/2 at 8:13 pm

      Hi Erika, I’m so happy you liked the rice and used the leftovers to make it your own! How fun! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Kelly says

    Posted on 7/17 at 6:59 pm

    Delicious! My husband said it was fantastic! It was light and refreshing! Thank you so much for a easy yet yummy dinner 🙂

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/2 at 8:20 pm

      Hi Kelly, thank you so much for tour kind words. So happy you both enjoyed the rice!

      Reply
  19. Laura says

    Posted on 7/17 at 6:32 pm

    My husband absolutely despises cauliflower so I opted for rice vermicelli instead. Cooked basically the same way as the cauli (just sat the noodles in boiling water for 30 seconds to soften before throwing them in the coconut milk, and used closer to a cup of coconut milk)…. THIS IS SO GOOD!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/2 at 8:23 pm

      Hi Laura, so glad you made the recipe your own and enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
  20. leslie gerson says

    Posted on 7/16 at 2:28 pm

    Is lite coconut milk ok to use?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/2 at 9:40 pm

      Hi Leslie, yes, you can definitely use it. I haven’t tried the recipe with lite, so let me know how it goes!

      Reply
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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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