These San Pedro-inspired shrimp fajitas combine the flavors of a seafood boil with classic shrimp fajitas for an easy dinner that's ready in about 30 minutes. Juicy shrimp, sautéed peppers and onions, garlic, butter, and a bold homemade seasoning blend come together in one skillet or on the Blackstone for a meal that's packed with flavor.
Inspired by the famous shrimp trays served at the San Pedro Fish Market in California, this recipe takes those same seafood market flavors and turns them into an easy weeknight dinner. Pile everything into warm flour tortillas and serve with guacamole, pico de gallo, and fresh lime wedges for a meal that always disappears fast.
A Note From My Kitchen
One of my favorite food memories from Southern California is visiting the San Pedro Fish Market.
If you've never been, it's hard to describe the scale of the place. Giant platters loaded with shrimp, peppers, onions, and potatoes seem to come flying out of the kitchen nonstop. The smell of garlic and seafood seasoning fills the air, and families crowd around picnic tables sharing trays that look big enough to feed an army.
The first time I saw one of their famous shrimp trays, I couldn't believe how much food was piled onto a single platter.
When we got back home to Texas, I found myself craving those same flavors. This recipe isn't an exact copycat of the famous San Pedro shrimp tray, but it was definitely inspired by it. You still get the juicy shrimp, tender peppers and onions, and bold seasoning that made the original so memorable.
These days, we usually cook them on the Blackstone Griddle and serve them with guacamole, chips, and plenty of lime wedges. The shrimp cook in just a few minutes, the peppers and onions get a little char from the griddle, and dinner is on the table before anyone has a chance to ask what's taking so long.
~ Holly ❤️
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes. The shrimp cook quickly, making this an easy option for busy weeknights.
- Perfect for the Blackstone or stovetop. Whether you're cooking outside on the griddle or using a large skillet in the kitchen, the recipe works either way.
- Inspired by the famous San Pedro shrimp tray. The homemade seasoning blend gives these fajitas a flavor that's somewhere between a seafood boil and classic shrimp fajitas.
- Easy to customize. Serve the shrimp in tortillas, over rice, on a salad, or in a bowl with your favorite toppings.
- Great for entertaining. Set out tortillas, guacamole, salsa, cheese, and lime wedges, and let everyone build their own fajitas.
- A lighter alternative to steak or chicken fajitas. Shrimp cook in minutes and make dinner feel fresh and satisfying without being heavy.
San Pedro-Inspired Seasoning Blend
The seasoning is what makes these shrimp fajitas different from a traditional fajita recipe. Instead of using a standard Tex-Mex blend, this homemade mix leans more toward the flavors of a seafood market shrimp tray with paprika, Old Bay, oregano, garlic, onion, and a little cayenne.
Let's Gather Up the Ingredients
- Large shrimp - I prefer large shrimp for this recipe because they stay juicy and cook quickly without becoming rubbery.
- Bell peppers - A mix of colors adds sweetness, texture, and plenty of color to the finished fajitas.
- Yellow onion - The onions soften and caramelize on the griddle, adding flavor to every bite.
- Roma tomato - Adds freshness and a little extra juiciness to the fajitas.
- Fresh garlic - Garlic is one of the signature flavors that reminds me of the famous shrimp trays at San Pedro Fish Market.
- Baby potatoes (optional) - Inspired by the famous shrimp trays at San Pedro Fish Market, these seasoned potatoes cook alongside the vegetables and make a great side dish for the fajitas.
- Butter - This is where a lot of the flavor comes from. The butter combines with the garlic and seasonings to coat the shrimp, vegetables, and potatoes.
- Olive oil - Helps the vegetables cook evenly and keeps everything from sticking to the griddle.
- San Pedro-inspired seasoning blend - This homemade blend combines smoked paprika, paprika, Old Bay, oregano, thyme, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt to give these shrimp fajitas their signature flavor. The complete seasoning recipe can be found in the recipe card below.
- Fresh lime juice - Adds brightness and balances the richness of the butter.
For Serving
- Warm flour tortillas
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo
- Lime wedges
- Shredded cheese (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
Tips for Success
- Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps the shrimp sear instead of steam.
- Don't overcook the shrimp. Shrimp cook quickly and are done as soon as they turn pink and opaque. Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery.
- Cook the vegetables over high heat. A little char on the peppers and onions adds flavor and mimics the restaurant-style fajitas we all love.
- Warm the tortillas before serving. A few seconds on the griddle or in a dry skillet makes a big difference.
- Prep everything before you start cooking. Once the shrimp hit the griddle, dinner comes together fast.
- Make extra seasoning blend. The leftover seasoning is great on fish, chicken, roasted vegetables, and potatoes.
How to Make San Pedro Shrimp Fajitas
Clean the Shrimp
When they serve this dish at San Pedro Fish Market, the shrimp are cooked with the shells on. Since we're making fajitas, peel and devein 1 pound large shrimp and rinse them under cold water. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels.
Transfer the shrimp to a large bowl and set aside while you prepare the seasoning blend.
Tip: Save the shrimp shells in a freezer bag. Once you've collected enough, use them to make homemade shrimp stock.
Make the Seasoning Blend
In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the San Pedro-inspired seasoning blend. Stir until well combined.
Taste the mixture and adjust the salt if needed. For a spicier version, add the optional cayenne pepper.
Season the Shrimp
Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the seasoning blend over the shrimp and toss to coat. Let the shrimp sit while you prepare the vegetables.
Prepare the Vegetables
Slice the bell peppers into thin strips.
Trim, peel, and slice the onion into half moons.
Mince 3 cloves garlic.
Slice 2 Roma tomatoes.
Tip: Slice tomatoes cut-side up for easier slicing, especially if your knife isn't razor sharp.
Once everything is prepped, dinner comes together quickly.
Cook the Shrimp
Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
Add the seasoned shrimp and spread them into an even layer. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until the shrimp are pink and lightly browned in spots.
Transfer the cooked shrimp to a platter and set aside.
Cook the Vegetables
Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet.
Add the bell peppers and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir in the onion and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened to your liking.
Add the sliced tomatoes and 1 to 2 teaspoons of the seasoning blend. Stir well and cook for about 2 minutes more.
Finish the Fajitas
Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss everything together. The shrimp are already cooked, so you only need to warm them through.
Serve
Spoon the shrimp and vegetables into warm flour tortillas and add your favorite toppings. I like mine with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
What to serve with these Shrimp Fajitas
At the San Pedro Fish Market Grille, their shrimp tray has baby red potatoes, so I like to serve these fajitas with a side of Smoked Potatoes and refried beans, but Mexican Rice would also be delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before seasoning. If you're cooking for two, simply use half the bag and save the rest for another recipe later in the week.
Absolutely. Cook the shrimp and vegetables on a lightly oiled Blackstone over medium-high heat, keeping the shrimp and vegetables in separate areas until everything is cooked through.
The tomatoes add freshness and a little extra moisture to the finished dish. They also help recreate some of the flavors that inspired this recipe.
The seasoning blend is inspired by the flavors of the famous shrimp trays served at San Pedro Fish Market. It combines paprika, Old Bay, herbs, garlic, onion, and a few other spices to create a flavor that's different from traditional fajita seasoning.
Cooking for Two
This recipe can easily be cut in half for two people. Simply reduce the ingredients by half and prepare the recipe as directed.
If you're buying frozen shrimp, use half the bag and save the rest for another recipe later in the week. If you're shopping at the seafood counter, just ask for a half pound of shrimp instead of a full pound.
More Shrimp Recipes You'll Love
If shrimp is always on your grocery list like it is on mine, here are a few more easy seafood dinners to try next:
Final Thoughts
If you're looking for a quick dinner that's packed with flavor, these San Pedro-inspired shrimp fajitas are hard to beat. The homemade seasoning blend, tender shrimp, and colorful vegetables come together in about 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
Whether you cook them in a skillet or on a Blackstone griddle, don't forget the warm tortillas, guacamole, and a squeeze of fresh lime. They're simple, satisfying, and always a hit at our house.
Cooking for two these days?
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Easy Shrimp Fajitas Inspired by San Pedro Fish Market
Equipment
- Large heavy-bottomed skillet or griddle
Ingredients
San Pedro Seasoning Mix
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ tablespoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon Old Bay
- ½ tablespoon dry oregano
- ½ tablespoon chile powder
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon onion powder
- ½ tablespoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons San Pedro Seasoning Mix
- 1 pound jumbo or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic, minced
- ½ red bell pepper, sliced into strips see note
- ½ yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips see note
- ½ yellow onion, sliced into half moons
- 1 Roma tomato, sliced
Instructions
Make the seasoning mix
- Add the salt, paprika, Old Bay, dry oregano, chile powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried basil, and dried thyme to a small bowl and mix with a spoon until fully incorporated. Once mixed, give it a taste and add more salt if desired. If you want it spicy, add the cayenne pepper. If not, leave it out.
Season the shrimp
- Sprinkle two teaspoons of the seasoning mix over the shrimp and toss to combine. Let the shrimp marinate in the spices while you slice your vegetables.
Cook the fajitas
- Heat half of the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute the garlic for about a minute before adding the shrimp in an even layer. Turn the heat up to high and cook for three minutes on each side. They should be orange and golden brown in spots. Remove the cooked shrimp to a platter and set aside while you cook the vegetables.
- Turn the heat back down to medium. Add the remaining butter and oil . Add the sliced peppers. Cook for about three minutes before adding the onion. Cook until the onion has softened as much as you'd like, about 3-5 minutes longer. Now add the sliced tomato and season with 1-2 teaspoons of the seasoning mix. Combine well and cook for two more minutes. Add the shrimp back into the skillet and mix to combine. The shrimp are fully cooked so you just want to warm them back up a bit.
Assemble the shrimp fajitas
- Spoon some shrimp and veggies into warm flour tortillas and add your favorite toppings. I like mine with sour cream, cheddar cheese, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Notes
- Feel free to use whatever color bell pepper you'd like in this recipe. This is just what I had on hand.
Kushigalu says
Drooling over this shrimp fajitas. Looks so delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Anjali says
These fajitas were so flavorful, filling and delicious and were super easy to make too! We loved this recipe!
Ned says
Shrimp fajitas are my favorite! I loved the addition of Old Bay seasoning in your recipe. Thank you for this awesome recipe!
whitney says
I am always looking for more way to add seafood to our diet and this will be an easy swap. I love spicy foods and the flavors sound so good!
Kechi says
This was a fabulous recipe to try! My entire family enjoyed it; I served it with white rice!
Traci says
I was intimidated to make shrimp fajitas until I found your recipe. I love your helpful tips and all the photos showing the process. Thanks for being so thorough!
Beth says
This is one of the best shrimp recipes I've made in a long time. I'm a big fan of zesty, spicy recipes that pack a kick, and every bite of this does that!
Chenee says
I simply cannot get enough of shrimp in any form and these look incredible. Can't wait to try them!
Casey says
I've always wanted to try shrimp fajitas but wasn't sure how to make them. These look so easy. I am excited to make them this week!
Kim says
I really loved the seasoning on this! I think it would be great on chicken, too!
Entertaining the RV Life says
It is! I use it on chicken all the time 🙂
Emily says
I am a certified shrimp lover so when I come across a new shrimp recipe, I'm always eager to try it. Tried this shrimp fajitas and I've been making it regularly now. I have to admit though on my first try, I unfortunately overcooked the shrimp so it was a bit hard to chew but that's on me.. lol! Nonetheless, it still tasted delicious! I look forward to your other shirmp recipe ideas. thank you so much!
Freddi says
We LOVE this for dinner. I eat low carb and the rest of my family does not, so I can make this and eat without the tortilla and the rest of my family eats with tortillas. So easy, everybody is happy.
Julia T. says
We had a very busy week, but I wasn't ready to spend money to order in. I searched for shrimp fajitas and your recipe came up. It looked so delicious, so I gave it a try. My whole family was blown away by the wonderful flavors. We used yellow and red bell peppers. Not only was it more delicious than anything we could have ordered in, it was way cheaper! This fed my family of 4 easily and we were happily stuffed by the end. This is definitely going to be our top go-to 5 dinner recipes.
Sidney says
I made these fajitas today and my whole family loved them. We always use chicken or steak, but these were just perfect! And easier than I thought they'd be. Thanks for the great recipe!
Patricia says
It's so fun to recreate restaurant faves! I love how simple AND flavorful this recipe is. The shrimp is great as the main ingredient in tacos - love it!