Camarones al Pibil
Camarones al Pibil is a vibrant and flavorful Mexican dish that features shrimp marinated in a rich achiote paste, wrapped in banana leaves, and slow-cooked to perfection. This high-protein seafood delight is bursting with traditional flavors and is perfect for a special occasion or a cozy dinner at home.

40 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Mexican
350 kcal
Ingredients
- Shrimp (peeled and deveined) - 300 grams
- Achiote paste - 50 grams
- Orange juice - 60 ml
- Lime juice - 30 ml
- Garlic (minced) - 2 cloves
- Cumin powder - 1 teaspoon
- Salt - 1 teaspoon
- Banana leaves (or aluminum foil if unavailable) - enough to wrap the shrimp
- Red onions (sliced) - 50 grams
- Cilantro (chopped, for garnish) - to taste
- Avocado (sliced, for serving) - 1 small
Steps
- In a bowl, combine the achiote paste, orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, and salt to create a marinade.
- Add the shrimp to the marinade and mix well, ensuring all shrimp are coated. Cover and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes.
- While the shrimp is marinating, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Prepare the banana leaves by cutting them into large squares and briefly passing them over an open flame to make them pliable.
- Place a portion of the marinated shrimp onto the center of each banana leaf square, add some sliced red onions on top.
- Fold the banana leaves around the shrimp to create a secure packet. If using aluminum foil, wrap it tightly to prevent steam from escaping.
- Place the wrapped shrimp packets on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Once done, carefully unwrap the packets, being cautious of the steam. Serve the shrimp hot, garnished with chopped cilantro and sliced avocado.
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbs: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
- Total Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Water: 0.4 L
Health Benefits
- High in protein, supporting muscle growth and repair.
- Rich in antioxidants and healthy fats from avocado, contributing to heart health.
Tags
MexicanHigh ProteinSeafood Dish