This Tex Mex shrimp bowl brings the fiery flavors of the southwest to tender shrimp. This spicy shrimp bowl is loaded with delicious flavors like garlic, onion, paprika, and habanero peppers.
I love seafood thats prepared with interesting flavors. Thats why I love this dish. It combines shrimp with a complex flavor profile that is just so good.
The idea for this came from my other spicy shrimp recipe on this site. It goes well with this amazing Mexican street corn casserole recipe.
There are several ingredients in this recipe, but theyre all very simple. You can find them all easily at your local grocery store.
Applebee’s Tex Mex Shrimp Bowl is a flavorful and satisfying menu item at the popular chain restaurant. With its Southwestern-inspired mix of shrimp rice salsa, beans, corn, cheese, and lime crema, this bowl packs some serious Tex Mex flavor. But what exactly is in this tasty concoction? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make up Applebee’s take on a Mexican rice bowl.
A Base of Cilantro Lime Rice
The foundation of the Tex Mex Shrimp Bowl is a bed of warm cilantro lime rice. This rice provides a neutral base that soaks up the other flavors in the bowl. It lends a bright, fresh citrus note from the lime juice and a hint of herbaceous cilantro. The cilantro lime rice adds texture and balances out the other ingredients.
Plump Shrimp as the Star
Of course, no Tex Mex Shrimp Bowl would be complete without shrimp as the star ingredient. Applebee’s uses plump tail-off shrimp that are seasoned and grilled. The shrimp provide a sweet brininess along with a nice char from being grilled. They also contribute a meaty texture that contrasts nicely with the fluffy rice and other mix-ins. The shrimp are clearly the main attraction in this bowl.
Southwestern Black Bean & Corn Salsa
What ties everything together is Applebee’s signature Southwestern black bean and corn salsa. This salsa provides a boost of Southwestern flavor with its mixture of black beans, corn, tomatoes, onions, and green chiles. The beans and corn add heartiness, the tomatoes offer brightness, and the chiles bring a subtle heat. This salsa is a key component that gives the Tex Mex Shrimp Bowl its regional flair.
Melty Pepper Jack Cheese
No Tex Mex dish is complete without cheese, and Applebee’s delivers with melted pepper jack cheese. The pepper jack adds a melty, creamy texture along with a kick of heat and spice. As the cheese melts over the shrimp, rice, and salsa, it brings everything together with its gooey richness. The pepper jack gives the bowl a distinctly Tex Mex vibe.
Cool Lime Crema Topping
Finally, the lime crema drizzled over the top of the bowl ties everything together. The tangy, cooling lime crema provides contrast to the hot, spicy flavors in the dish. Its creamy texture also perfectly compliments the other ingredients. The lime crema gives one last citrus punch that really pulls the Tex Mex Shrimp Bowl together.
Served Up in a Bowl
In addition to its flavorful ingredients, part of what makes Applebee’s Tex Mex Shrimp Bowl so satisfying is that it is served up conveniently in a bowl. This vessel keeps all the ingredients neatly contained, allowing you to easily mix everything together into the perfect bite. The bowl format also retains heat and prevents ingredients from spilling over the plate.
Customize It to Your Taste
Part of the appeal of the Tex Mex Shrimp Bowl is that you can customize it to suit your personal tastes. Don’t like cilantro? You can request the rice without it. Want an extra kick of heat? Ask for additional sliced jalapeños on top. With the variety of ingredients, you can tweak the bowl to make it perfect for you.
Step 2: Pickle the Habanero Peppers
While the shrimp marinates, fill a mason jar with white vinegar. Then, stir in the salt and pepper and place the habaneros in the jar. Let the peppers pickle while the shrimp marinates.
Step 4: Cook the Shrimp
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and pour the shrimp and marinade into the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, flipping the shrimp halfway through the cooking time. Add remaining sauce from the cooked shrimp to the rice.