Camarones Rancheros (Prawns in Ranchera Sauce)
Plump prawns cooked in minutes in a chunky tomato and jalapeño sauce, served over bright cilantro lime rice.
Made with Salsa ranchera and Cilantro lime rice. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.36 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 0.5 tsp salt and half the lime juice.
- 2
Heat the oil in a wide frying pan over a medium heat. Cook the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
0 min 30 s - 3
Pour in your ready made salsa ranchera (see the base recipe) and the water. Simmer for 5 minutes until hot and thick.
5 min - 4
Add the prawns and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until they are pink and curled and opaque all the way through.
3 min 30 s - 5
Warm your ready made arroz verde (see the base recipe) in a covered pan with a splash of water until steaming hot.
- 6
Stir the remaining lime juice and the coriander into the prawns. Serve over the rice.
Tips
- Do not boil the prawns. They are done the moment they turn pink and opaque, and overcooking makes them rubbery.
- Have the sauce hot before the prawns go in so they cook quickly and evenly.
- Use raw prawns, not pre cooked ones, which turn tough when heated again.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Cool leftovers within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for 1 day. Reheat once, until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use frozen prawns?
Yes. Defrost them fully in the fridge overnight, then drain and pat them dry before cooking.
Can I use pre cooked prawns?
You can, but add them for only 1 minute at the end just to heat them through, or they will turn rubbery.
More made with salsa ranchera
Chuletas de Cerdo Rancheras (Ranch Style Pork Chops)
DFEFNFQuesadillas de Champiñones (Mushroom Quesadillas with Ranchera Sauce)
GFEFNFCalabacitas con Puerco y Frijoles Refritos (Pork and Courgette Stew with Beans)
DFEFNFChiles Rellenos en Caldillo de Jitomate (Stuffed Poblanos in Tomato Broth)
NFVDouble 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.
