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Close-up of hand holding a spicy shrimp topped with fresh herbs, cooked in flavorful sauce in a skillet.

Shrimp Mozambique

Peri Peri Shrimp or Shrimp Mozambique is a beloved Portuguese dish with a rich, spicy sauce that highlights the culinary fusion of Portuguese and African flavors. With origins tied to Mozambique, this dish features succulent shrimp cooked in a savory, slightly spicy sauce, making it a staple in Portuguese cuisine.
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Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: African, portuguese
Keyword: garlic shrimp
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 5
Calories: 263kcal
Author: Lola Jay

Ingredients

Shrimp

  • 1.5 lbs gulf shrimp cleaned & deveined
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Sauce

  • 4 tablespoon butter 2 when sauteing and two at end to emulsify sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ white onion diced
  • 6 garlic cloves crushed
  • 1 packet sazon con azafran seasoning or I made my own healthier version; recipe below
  • 1 teaspoon paprika skip if making your own sazon
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Peri peri hot sauce
  • 1.5 cups light lager beer
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Sazon seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 pinch saffron
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground annatto
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prepare the Shrimp

  • In a bowl, combine the cleaned and deveined shrimp with ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon paprika. Mix well to coat the shrimp evenly. Set aside.
    1.5 lbs gulf shrimp, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika
    Person mixing shrimp with spices in a stainless steel bowl on a wooden countertop. Perfect for seafood recipes.

Sauté the Aromatics

  • In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced white onion and crushed garlic cloves. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ white onion diced, 6 garlic cloves crushed
    Chopped onions sautéing in a cast iron skillet on a kitchen stove.

Add the Seasoning and Tomato Paste

  • Stir in the sazon seasoning (or homemade version), 2 teaspoon paprika (if using store-bought sazon), and tomato paste. Cook for about 2 minutes, allowing the spices and tomato paste to meld with the onions and garlic.
    1 packet sazon con azafran seasoning, 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    Cooking onions and spices in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon, adding seasoning, in a cozy kitchen setting.

Deglaze with Beer

  • Pour in the light lager beer, stirring to deglaze the pan. Scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate into the sauce. Let the mixture simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly reduced.
    1.5 cups light lager beer
    Cooking tomato sauce in a cast-iron skillet with a wooden spoon and pouring broth for a simmering recipe.
  • Add in the peri peri hot sauce and simmer for 1 minute. Taste for salt and spice level.
    1 tablespoon Peri peri hot sauce
    Person holding Nando's Medium Peri-Peri sauce bottle on a wooden table. Gluten-free and non-GMO.

Cook the Shrimp

  • Add the seasoned shrimp to the pan. Add in the parsley and cilantro. If cilantro taste like soap to you please skip :) Make sure all the shrimp are covered in the sauce. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp.
    ¼ cup chopped parsley, ¼ cup chopped cilantro
    Sizzling shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce with fresh herbs in a pan, creating a flavorful seafood dish.

Emulsify the Sauce

  • Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoon of butter, allowing it to melt and emulsify into the sauce. This will give the sauce a rich, silky texture.
    Spicy shrimp cooking in a skillet with fresh herbs and vibrant sauce. Ideal for seafood lovers.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and top with fresh lemon juice.
    1 tablespoon lemon juice
    Sizzling shrimp in garlic tomato sauce with herbs in a cast iron skillet, a flavorful seafood delicacy being garnished.

Serve

  • Serve the Shrimp Mozambique hot, with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce, or over rice or pasta for a heartier meal.
    Spicy shrimp in a skillet with lemon slices and bread, garnished with herbs for a flavorful seafood dish.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 243mg | Sodium: 497mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1118IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1mg