Camarones en Salsa Roja (Prawns in Red Chilli Salsa)
Juicy prawns warmed through in a smoky red chilli salsa, served over fresh coriander and lime rice.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) and Cilantro lime rice. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.45 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Pat the prawns dry and season with a little salt. Warm your ready made cilantro lime rice (see the base recipe) in a covered pan or microwave until steaming hot all the way through.
4 min - 2
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Cook the onion for 4 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4 min 30 s - 3
Pour in your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe) and bring to a gentle simmer for 3 minutes.
3 min - 4
Add the prawns and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until they are pink and curled and cooked through. Do not overcook them.
3 min 30 s - 5
Stir in the lime juice and half the coriander and taste. Add salt if needed.
- 6
Spoon the rice into bowls, top with the prawns and sauce and scatter over the rest of the coriander.
Tips
- Prawns need just a few minutes. Take them off the heat as soon as they turn opaque and pink, or they turn rubbery.
- If using frozen prawns, thaw them fully in the fridge and pat them dry before cooking.
- Serve with warm corn tortillas and avocado for a taco style meal.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Cool leftovers within an hour and keep in the fridge for up to 1 day. Reheat once until steaming hot all the way through, and do not reheat rice more than once.
Questions
Can I use cooked prawns?
Yes. Add them to the simmering salsa for just 2 minutes, only to heat through. Over-heating makes them tough.
Is this like camarones a la diabla?
No. Diabla sauce is much hotter, made with more chillies and vinegar. This red salsa dish is milder and more rounded.
Can I use fish instead?
Yes. Chunks of firm white fish, such as cod or haddock, cook in the salsa in about 6 minutes. Keep stirring to a minimum so the pieces stay whole.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.