Camarones A La Diabla, or Mexican Deviled Shrimp, is a spicy shrimp dish that packs a punch! With flavorful ingredients like chipotle peppers and tomatoes, it’s sure to wake up your taste buds!
This dish is like a fiesta on your plate. I love serving it with rice, which helps mellow the heat just a bit. Trust me, you won’t want to skip seconds—everyone gets hooked! 🌶️🍤
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Shrimp: Large shrimp are ideal for this dish, but you can use medium or even smaller shrimp; just adjust cooking time accordingly. If seafood isn’t your thing, try tofu or cooked chicken as a substitute.
Dried Chilies: Guajillo chilies provide a mild fruity flavor. If unavailable, use a mix of smoked paprika and cayenne for a similar taste. For chipotles, feel free to skip them if you prefer a milder dish.
Onion: I used white onion for its slightly sweet flavor, but yellow onion works too. For a milder taste, you can use green onions or shallots instead!
Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes are best, but canned diced tomatoes are a great substitute. Just drain them a bit to avoid excess moisture in your sauce.
How Do I Blend the Sauce Smoothly?
Getting that silky sauce is important for this recipe and can be straightforward. Here’s how:
- Make sure the chilies are well-soaked for about 15-20 minutes in hot water. This softens them, making blending easier.
- When blending, add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices along with half a cup of water for a smoother consistency. Don’t worry if it’s a bit chunky – it will cook down!
Using a high-speed blender or an immersion blender can yield a nicer texture.
How to Make Camarones A La Diabla (Mexican Deviled Shrimp)
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on)
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 dried guajillo chilies, seeds removed and soaked in hot water
- 1-2 dried chipotle chilies (optional for extra heat), seeds removed and soaked
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
- 1 cup water or shrimp broth
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 30 minutes in total. You’ll spend around 10 minutes preparing the ingredients and blending the sauce, and then around 20 minutes cooking everything together. It’s fast and packed with flavor!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Blend the Sauce:
Start by taking the soaked guajillo and chipotle chilies and placing them in a blender. Add the chopped tomatoes, onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, and 1/2 cup of water. Blend it all together until smooth. This will be your delicious base sauce. Set it aside for now.
2. Cook the Sauce:
In a deep skillet or pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once it’s nice and hot, pour the blended chili sauce into the pan. Cook this for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. As you cook, you’ll see the sauce thicken and change to a deeper color. This is where the flavor gets really intense!
3. Season the Sauce:
After 10 minutes, it’s time to season your sauce! Sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste. Give it a good stir to make sure those flavors meld together perfectly.
4. Add the Shrimp:
Now, add the peeled and deveined shrimp into the sauce. Make sure each shrimp gets a nice coating of that tasty sauce. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. You’ll know they’re done when they look perfectly cooked and delicious!
5. Adjust the Sauce:
If you notice the sauce is becoming a bit too thick, don’t worry! Just add the remaining 1/2 cup of water or shrimp broth to the pan and simmer for a few more minutes. This will keep your dish nice and saucy.
6. Garnish and Serve:
Once everything is cooked, take it off the heat. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a pop of color and flavor. Serve your Camarones A La Diabla with lime wedges on the side for a zesty touch!
7. Enjoy!
Serve hot with warm tortillas or a side of Mexican rice for a complete and satisfying meal. Dive in and enjoy every flavorful bite of your spicy shrimp dish!
Can I Use Fresh Shrimp Instead of Frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh shrimp will provide the best flavor and texture, but if you only have frozen shrimp, just make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. You can thaw shrimp in the fridge overnight or quickly by placing them in a sealed bag and submerging them in cold water.
What Can I Use If I Can’t Find Dried Chilies?
If dried guajillo or chipotle chilies are unavailable, you can use a combination of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Start with about 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika and adjust the cayenne to your spice preference for a similar flavor profile.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Leftover Camarones A La Diabla can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat until heated through. You may want to add a splash of water or broth to loosen up the sauce if it thickened during storage.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the chili sauce in advance and store it in the fridge. Just cook the shrimp fresh when you’re ready to serve. This way, they’ll retain their best texture and flavor!