A Spicy Perspective

Skillet Shrimp Mozambique

Portuguese Shrimp Mozambique Recipe – This 20 minute one-skillet dish features tender shrimp tossed in a spicy Sazon seasoning and beer sauce. It’s quick, easy, and unbelievably flavorful!

Close view of shrimp Mozambique in a bowl with white rice.

Why We Love this One-Skillet Recipe

We simply love shrimp! This wonder protein is terrific to include in easy one-pot recipes, like Thai Curry Shrimp Pasta and Instant Pot Bang Bang Shrimp. Not only are they tender and tasty, shrimp are excellent to purchase ready-to-use and cook incredibly quickly.

Skillet Shrimp Mozambique is a delicious fusion dish that brings together Portuguese and African flavors. With the combination of garlic, saffron, and spicy heat, this recipe is bold in both flavor and color.

The aromatics create a wonderfully bright sauce in only a matter of minutes. Then add raw peeled shrimp right to the skillet and simmer… Five minutes and you’re ready to serve with fluffy rice or flatbread for scooping!

Top down view two bowls of saffron shrimp and rice next to a skillet of cooked Portuguese shrimp.

Ingredients Needed

  • Butter – unsalted
  • Onion – chopped
  • Garlic – minced
  • Sazon seasoning packets – like Goya Azafran
  • Beer – a pale lager is best
  • Hot sauce – if African Peri Peri Sauce is available, buy it!
  • Large raw shrimp – peeled and deveined
  • Salt and pepper – to taste
  • Parsley – to garnish, optional
Ingredients needed on a white background: Bottle of Corona beer, onion, garlic, and Sazon seasoning packets.

How to Make Shrimp Mozambique

Set a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the butter, onions, and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes to soften the onions, stirring regularly.

Diced onion cooking in a skillet.

Once the onions are soft, add in the Sazon seasoning packets. Mix the seasoning into the onions.

Hand adding Sazon seasoning from a packet into skillet with cooked diced onion and garlic.

Then pour in the beer and hot sauce. Simmer the sauce for 5 to 8 minutes to reduce and thicken.

Pouring a bottle of beer into the cast iron skillet to make the sauce.

Once the sauce has been reduced by half, add in the raw shrimp.

Get the Complete (Printable) Skillet Shrimp Mozambique Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Raw peeled shrimp added to the spicy sauce in a large cast iron skillet.

Stir well and allow the shrimp to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.

Cooked shrimp with a spicy red saffron sauce in a cast iron skillet.

Promptly remove the skillet from the heat so as not to overcook the shrimp.

Lastly, sprinkle with parsley, if you like.

Top down view cast iron skillet with shrimp Mozambique, topped with chopped parsley.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy Portuguese shrimp over rice or with flatbread. Both help to cut the heat and add some heartiness to the otherwise light dish.

You can also toss the shrimp and sauce with pasta, or serve with tortillas to make tacos.

Or keep the dish low-carb and serve with cauliflower rice or zoodles (zucchini noodles).

Close view of Portuguese shrimp Mozambique in a bowl topped with parsley, next to fluffy white rice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What other proteins can be used to make this dish?

Sazon seasoning can be used to make a Portuguese Mozambique sauce with prawns, chicken, or even extra firm tofu!

If making the dish with chicken or tofu, first cube the protein and quickly brown in the skillet with oil. Transfer to a holding plate and wipe the skillet clean before moving on to the onions and remaining recipe steps. Then add the cooked tofu or chicken pieces to the sauce as you would shrimp.

How can I make this Portuguese Shrimp Mozambique recipe less spicy?

It’s easy to tweak this recipe for more sensitive tastebuds. The Sazon seasoning does not have spiciness to it, so simply omit the hot sauce for a mild dish.

How long do leftovers last in the fridge?

Leftover cooked shrimp will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but I recommend enjoying within a day or so. Reheated shrimp can tend to get a bit rubbery, so reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop low and slow just until warm throughout.

Two bowls of cooked spicy shrimp with white rice, skillet in the background.

More Easy One Pan Recipes You’ll Love:

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5 from 3 votes
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Portuguese Skillet Shrimp Mozambique

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
This 20 minute one-skillet dish features tender shrimp tossed in a spicy Sazon seasoning and beer sauce. Perfect to serve with rice or flatbread for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner!
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 6-8 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 packets Sazon seasoning like Goya Azafran
  • 12 ounce pale lager beer
  • 1-2 tablespoons hot sauce If you can find African Peri Peri Sauce, buy it!
  • 1 ½ pounds large raw shrimp peeled
  • Salt and pepper
  • Parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Set a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the butter, onions, and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes to soften the onions, stirring regularly.
  • Once the onions are soft, add in the Sazon seasoning packets. Mix the seasoning into the onions. Then pour in the beer and hot sauce. Simmer the sauce for 5 to 8 minutes to reduce and thicken.
  • Once the sauce has reduced by half, add in the raw shrimp. Stir well and allow the shrimp to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Then remove from heat.
  • Serve over rice with a sprinkling of parsley, or with flatbread on the side.

Notes

Also, try on shrimp tacos, or as a low-carb dish with cauliflower rice.
Leftover cooked shrimp will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, but I recommend enjoying it within a day or so. Reheated shrimp can tend to get a bit rubbery, so reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop low and slow just until warm throughout.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25lb, Calories: 160kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 249mg, Potassium: 107mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 356IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: dinner, Main, Main Course
Cuisine: African, Latin, Portuguese
Author: Sommer Collier

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3 comments on “Skillet Shrimp Mozambique”

  1. SO delicious!! Obsessed with this shrimp recipe! 

  2. Any seafood fan needs to try this dish! We love it! It’s so easy to make and just packed with flavor!

  3. The flavors in this recipe come together beautifully! Loved it.