Amazing 28-Minute shrimp fajitas

If you’re like me, that 5 PM panic of figuring out dinner is real. Juggling deadlines, appointments, and suddenly realizing you need a full meal on the table fast can turn anyone toward the takeout menu. That’s exactly why I developed this recipe! I needed a way to bring that amazing, vibrant Tex-Mex flavor home without spending an hour over a hot stove. I’m Carla Davis, and I promise you, these Lightning-Fast Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas are the answer. They cook up beautifully in under 30 minutes on just one single sheet pan, which means cleanup is practically non-existent. It brings back the joy of cooking, even on a hectic Tuesday!

If you’re looking for more quick ideas to conquer your week, check out my full guide to weeknight dinners here on the site.

Why These Lightning-Fast Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas Are Your New Weeknight Hero

Honestly, these shrimp fajitas changed my life during those hectic marketing days! Who has time for multiple pots and pans when you’re racing against the clock? The beauty of this recipe is how it maximizes flavor while completely minimizing effort. It’s one of my favorite go-to 30 Minute Shrimp Dinners.

We’re talking about getting vibrant, smoky Tex-Mex perfection on the table in under 30 minutes with almost zero scrubbing required. That means more time relaxing and less time dealing with dishes. These truly are the definition of Low Cleanup Meals!

Speed and Simplicity for Busy Schedules

The total time is only 28 minutes, and most of that is just the oven doing the work! That speed, combined with the sheet pan method, makes this perfect for even the most reluctant weeknight cook. Seriously, it’s so easy, you can whip up huge batches for Family Friendly Fajitas or even a quick lunch the next day. You just toss everything together—it’s foolproof!

Flavorful Fajita Seasoning Profile

Don’t let the speed fool you into thinking the flavor scales back. Nope! We use a zesty blend of chili powder, cumin, and plenty of fresh lime juice to make sure these Quick Shrimp Fajitas taste authentic and bright. If you love a little southern heat, I sometimes sneak in a bit of Cajun spice for a delicious twist. It really pops against the sweet peppers!

If you love easy sheet pan cooking, you absolutely have to try my sheet pan chicken and vegetables recipe next week!

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Gathering Ingredients for Perfect Shrimp Fajitas

When we are moving this quickly, the quality of the few ingredients we use really matters. For these shrimp fajitas, you want large shrimp—the little salad shrimp always turn rubbery when roasted! We need about a pound of those beauties, peeled and deveined, of course.

Grab two bright bell peppers (I love using red and yellow for color!) and one big red onion, all sliced up nice and neat. Don’t ever skip the fresh lime juice or the vibrant pop of cilantro; they are the key players here that make the dish sing!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Trust me on the shrimp size; large is crucial for that satisfying bite! And please, for the love of good flavor, use fresh lime juice, not that stuff bottled up on the shelf—the flavor difference is night and day. If you’re out of red onion, a yellow one works fine, but red gives you a better color contrast when it chars a little.

Oh, and if you want to sneak in some extra greens, chopped zucchini slices blend right in with the peppers! Want the perfect sidekick for these zesty fajitas? You should totally check out my recipe for fluffy cilantro lime rice!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Getting these shrimp fajitas on the table so fast means we have to be organized! The whole process hinges on starting the vegetables a tiny bit before the shrimp. It sounds minor, but that small timing difference guarantees everything is perfectly cooked when it comes out of the oven. You want tender-crisp veggies and plump, never rubbery, shrimp every single time!

Prepping the Pan and Seasoning

First things first: fire up that oven to 400°F (200°C). Lining your big baking sheet with parchment paper is my favorite move—it’s the secret to those great Low Cleanup Meals! While you’re prepping, quickly mix up your seasoning blend in one small bowl: oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Once it’s mixed, divide it mentally—half for the veggies, half for the shrimp. I don’t want you dumping it all on the shrimp first, or they’ll get clumpy!

The Two-Stage Roasting Method

Toss your sliced peppers and onions with their half of the seasoning and spread them out on the sheet pan in a single layer. Pop that into the oven for exactly 10 minutes. They need a head start! While they roast, toss your seasoned shrimp in that bowl—that’s the second half of your seasoning mix. When those 10 minutes are up, pull the pan out carefully. Shove those veggies over to one side, and lay the seasoned shrimp down on the empty space, again, keeping them in a single layer so they cook evenly. Back in the oven for another 6 to 8 minutes max! Pull them out the second they turn pink. For more quick cooking inspiration, maybe check out my air fryer shrimp recipe sometime!

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Finally, just sprinkle that fresh cilantro all over everything right there on the pan and give it a gentle toss. Serve them immediately while they are still piping hot for that amazing, slightly charred, ‘sizzling’ effect.

Tips for Achieving Perfect Shrimp Fajitas Every Time

Even though these shrimp fajitas move fast, a couple of little things can trip you up if you aren’t watching. My top piece of advice? Never, ever overcook the shrimp! They go from perfectly juicy to rubbery little ping-pong balls in about 30 seconds flat. Pull them out when they are just pink and slightly curled; they’ll keep cooking a tiny bit on the hot pan.

If you really want that authentic, smoky, slightly char-broiled flavor that only high heat can give, switching to a skillet is an option. I mention it in my recipe notes, but the trick is to sauté the veggies first until they are tender-crisp, pull them off the heat, then sear those seasoned shrimp quickly in that same pan before tossing everything back together at the very end. It’s a bit more active, but wow, that sizzle is worth it! If you need other quick inspiration, you can always browse my full recipe blog here.

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Serving Suggestions for Your Fast Tex Mex Dinner

Alright, the shrimp and vegetables are hot, zesty, and ready to go! This is where the fun really starts because these shrimp fajitas are so versatile. The most classic way, of course, is loading them into warmed flour or corn tortillas. That’s just good, honest Tex-Mex comfort food right there!

But if you’re looking for something a little lighter, these are amazing served over a bed of lettuce as super Healthy Shrimp Tacos, or toss them into shallow bowls with some rice. Don’t forget those essential toppings—a dollop of cool sour cream, a sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese, and maybe some salsa verde if you have it handy. Makes a huge difference!

If you want a side dish that feels like a full meal, check out my creamy taco pasta salad—it pairs perfectly!

Storage and Make Ahead Prep for Shrimp Fajitas

One of the best things about these lightning-fast shrimp fajitas is knowing you can totally cheat on the prep work ahead of time! If you’re doing your Make Ahead Shrimp Prep on Sunday, you are setting yourself up for an amazing Tuesday night dinner. You can chop all your peppers and onions and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I also keep the seasoning mix pre-mixed—just measure out the dry spices and the oil/lime part separately until you are ready to toss!

When it comes to leftovers, cook the shrimp and the veggies together on the sheet pan as directed. Once cooled, store them in a sealed container. They stay fresh and flavorful in the refrigerator for about three full days. When you reheat them, just use a non-stick skillet over medium heat for a couple of minutes until they are warmed back up, and a final squeeze of fresh lime juice really wakes the flavors back up!

If you’re into planning ahead for other meals, you’ll love my freezer-friendly make ahead breakfast burritos. Having those on hand saves my mornings!

Frequently Asked Questions About Quick Shrimp Fajitas

We all have questions when we try a new recipe, especially when we’re trying to squeeze it into a busy schedule! These are the most common things folks ask me about making these fantastic shrimp fajitas quickly. Happy to help clear up anything!

Can I use frozen shrimp for these shrimp fajitas?

Oh, absolutely you can! We’ve all been there, opening the freezer last minute. If you use frozen shrimp, the absolute most important thing is that they are completely thawed before you mix them with the seasoning. And then—pat them bone dry with paper towels! If they have too much surface moisture, they’ll steam in the oven instead of roasting, and we want that lovely, slight char you get in Quick Shrimp Fajitas, not watery shrimp.

What is the best way to keep the shrimp fajitas sizzling when serving?

That sizzling sound is half the fun, right? Because we use parchment paper for the easy cleanup, it’s hard to get that massive, theatrical sizzle from the oven alone. If you are determined to get that big ‘Wow!’ factor, you can transfer the hot vegetables and shrimp right off the sheet pan and onto a waiting cast iron skillet before you bring it to the table. Just be careful—that pan will be scorching hot! Seriously, cast iron really helps achieve that ‘Sizzling Shrimp Skillet‘ effect.

How can I make this a ‘Healthy Shrimp Tacos’ option?

That is such a great question! If you are keeping the carb count down, you have tons of great options. Ditch the tortillas entirely and serve these flavor-packed shrimp and veggies over some fluffy cauliflower rice. I have a recipe for cheesy garlic and parmesan cauliflower rice that works wonderfully as a base! Alternatively, piling everything into crisp lettuce cups makes for fantastic, low-carb Healthy Shrimp Tacos. It’s all about personal preference!

If you’re looking for other super simple recipes that come together in a flash, you should definitely browse my collection of quick and easy English muffin pizzas for a fun snack or super low-effort lunch!

Estimated Nutritional Snapshot for Shrimp Fajitas

I always want to give you a good idea of what you’re eating, but please keep in mind that these numbers can swing a bit based on exactly how much oil your vegetables soak up or the size of your tortillas. That said, this is a pretty fantastic, flavorful dinner that keeps things relatively light!

The estimates below are based on one serving (which generally includes about two tortillas) from the full recipe batch:

• Calories: About 320 per serving. That’s a win for a weeknight meal!
• Protein: We’re rocking 33 grams of protein, mostly from that wonderful shrimp!
• Fat: Around 10 grams total fat.
• Carbohydrates: About 25 grams, which mostly comes from the peppers, onions, and the tortillas you choose to serve them in.

This is based on the standard ingredients listed, so if you load yours up with cheese and sour cream, expect those totals to tick up a bit! It truly is a great option if you are watching your portions but still craving big Tex-Mex flavor.

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Share Your Favorite Shrimp Fajitas Creations

Now that you’ve whipped up a batch of these zesty, quick shrimp fajitas—and I hope you found they tasted just as good as they smell!<—I would absolutely love to hear what you thought! Cooking is so much better when we share the results, isn't it?

If you found this recipe to be the perfect answer to your busy evenings and enjoyed your Fast Tex Mex Dinner, please take a minute to leave a star rating right here on the page! Five stars lets me know I’m on the right track with getting delicious, speedy family meals onto your table.

Did you spice up your seasoning blend? Did you try serving them as lettuce wraps? Pop a comment below and tell me all about it! And if you snapped a picture of your sizzling sheet pan, feel free to send it my way through my contact page. I try my best to share reader photos on my social media—seeing your wonderful cooking brings me so much joy.

Lightning-Fast Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas with Lime & Cilantro

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Make these zesty shrimp fajitas on one sheet pan for quick prep and minimal cleanup. This recipe delivers bold Tex-Mex flavor in under 30 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 18 min
• Total Time: 28 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 large bell peppers (one red, one yellow), sliced
• 1 large red onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas, warmed
• Lime wedges, for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced bell peppers and onion.
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper to create the seasoning mix.
4. Pour half of the seasoning mix over the vegetables on the baking sheet and toss to coat them evenly. Spread the vegetables into a single layer.
5. Roast the vegetables for 10 minutes.
6. While the vegetables roast, add the shrimp to the bowl with the remaining half of the seasoning mix and toss to coat.
7. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Push the partially cooked vegetables to one side of the pan. Add the seasoned shrimp to the empty side of the sheet pan, spreading them into a single layer.
8. Return the sheet pan to the oven and roast for another 6 to 8 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Do not overcook the shrimp.
9. Remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro over the shrimp and vegetables. Gently toss everything together right on the pan.
10. Serve immediately with warm tortillas and lime wedges. You can also serve these as healthy shrimp tacos or in bowls.

Notes

• For extra flavor, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of Cajun spices to the seasoning mix for a Cajun shrimp fajitas twist.
• You can prepare the vegetables and the seasoning mix ahead of time to make this a true 15-minute dinner. Store them separately in the refrigerator.
• If you prefer a skillet method, sauté the vegetables first until tender-crisp, remove them, then quickly cook the shrimp, and combine everything at the end.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 2 tortillas)
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 5
• Sodium: 550
• Fat: 10
• Saturated Fat: 2
• Unsaturated Fat: 8
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 25
• Fiber: 4
• Protein: 33
• Cholesterol: 240