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15-Minute Guajillo-Orange Marinated Shrimp & Cabbage Slaw (The WFH Lunch Rescue)

15-Minute Guajillo-Orange Marinated Shrimp & Cabbage Slaw (The WFH Lunch Rescue)

Listen, we are not suffering through another sad, cold desk wrap at 1:00 PM. A quick, 10-minute citrus and toasted guajillo marinade wakes up simple shrimp while you shred some crunchy cabbage. You pour the hot shrimp and its sticky, smoky pan juices straight over the greens, creating an instant warm dressing. High-reward, low-effort mom math at its finest.

María “Mari” Santiago
María “Mari” Santiago
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
1
easy
lunchsalad
wfh-lunchquick-marinate15-minuteseafood+1

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Timeline

16 minutes
0m5m10m15m
Toast Guajillo
Quick Marinate Shrimp
2m
Prep Cabbage Slaw
4m
Sear Shrimp & Sauce
4m
Assemble & Serve

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined(Thawed if frozen. Pat them dry so they actually sear!)
  • 1 dried guajillo chile(Wiped clean, stem and seeds discarded, snipped into very thin strips with scissors)
  • 1 clove garlic(Grated or finely minced)
  • 1/2 orange(Juiced (about 2 tablespoons))
  • 2 tbsp olive oil(Divided between the marinade and the slaw)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt(Divided)
  • 2 cups green cabbage(Finely shredded (Pantry Mode: bagged slaw mix works perfectly))
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves(Roughly chopped)
  • 1/4 cup toasted pepitas(Pumpkin seeds for that essential crunch)
  • 1/2 lime(Juiced)
  • 1/2 avocado(Sliced, for topping)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Drop in the 1 dried guajillo chile, snipped into thin strips and toast for 30 to 45 seconds, tossing constantly. You just want them to smell like warm, smoky fruit. Don't burn them or they get bitter. Transfer them to a medium bowl.

    1 min

    Tip: Kitchen scissors are your best friend here. Just snip the chile right over the pan like you're cutting paper.

  2. 2

    To the bowl with the warm chiles, add 1 clove garlic, grated, the juice of 1/2 orange, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1/4 tsp kosher salt. Toss in the 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined and mix well. Let this sit for 10 minutes. (Mom math: 10 minutes is exactly the time it takes to prep the cabbage and answer one Slack message.)

    2 min

    Tip: Acid cooks seafood if left too long (hello, ceviche), so stick to the 10-minute rule here. We still want to sear these.

  3. 3

    While the shrimp marinates, grab your serving bowl. Toss together the 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped, 1/4 cup toasted pepitas, the juice of 1/2 lime, the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, and the remaining 1/4 tsp kosher salt. Give it a good toss and taste it—adjust the salt or lime if it needs a little more life.

    4 min

    Tip: If you want a little extra heat, throw some thinly sliced jalapeño in here.

  4. 4

    Place your skillet back on the stove over medium-high heat. Once hot, dump in the shrimp along with every drop of that guajillo-orange marinade. Sear for 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until the shrimp are pink and opaque, and the marinade has reduced into a glossy, sticky pan sauce.

    4 min

    Tip: Spread them out in an even layer so they sear instead of steam. Don't touch them until it's time to flip!

  5. 5

    Pour the hot shrimp and all those sticky pan juices directly over your prepared cabbage slaw. The heat will lightly wilt the cabbage, and the pan juices mix with the lime to create the best dressing. Top with 1/2 avocado, sliced and eat immediately. Ándale!

    1 min

    Tip: Use a rubber spatula to scrape the pan—you don't want to leave any of that flavor behind.

Chef's Notes

Bodega Mode: If you can't find whole dried guajillos, swap in 1 teaspoon of chili powder (preferably ancho or a mild blend) and a pinch of cayenne. But honestly, keeping a bag of dried guajillos in your pantry is the greatest favor you can do for your weeknight cooking. They last forever and bring deep, fruity heat to everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does 15-Minute Guajillo-Orange Marinated Shrimp & Cabbage Slaw (The WFH Lunch Rescue) take to make?

15-Minute Guajillo-Orange Marinated Shrimp & Cabbage Slaw (The WFH Lunch Rescue) takes about 15 minutes total. That includes 10 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 1 serving.

What skill level is needed for 15-Minute Guajillo-Orange Marinated Shrimp & Cabbage Slaw (The WFH Lunch Rescue)?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for 15-Minute Guajillo-Orange Marinated Shrimp & Cabbage Slaw (The WFH Lunch Rescue)?

The main ingredients are: large shrimp, peeled and deveined, dried guajillo chile, garlic, orange, olive oil, kosher salt, green cabbage, fresh cilantro leaves, toasted pepitas, lime, avocado.

What type of meal is 15-Minute Guajillo-Orange Marinated Shrimp & Cabbage Slaw (The WFH Lunch Rescue)?

15-Minute Guajillo-Orange Marinated Shrimp & Cabbage Slaw (The WFH Lunch Rescue) is categorized as: lunch, salad.