Shrimp Vera Cruz(Microwave Recipe)
A quick and flavorful shrimp dish with a zesty tomato sauce, perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner or entertaining guests with bold flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, cut into chunks ⓘ
- 1 large green pepper, seeded and cut into chunks ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. oil ⓘ
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 cup dry white wine ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. ground cumin ⓘ
- dash of hot pepper sauce ⓘ
- 1 lb. uncooked jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine onion, green pepper, oil, and garlic in a shallow baking dish. Cook on High for 3 minutes.
- Stir in tomato sauce, white wine, oregano, salt, cumin, and hot pepper sauce.
- Cover with waxed paper and cook on High for 5 minutes.
- Add shrimp and toss lightly to coat with the sauce. Cook on High until shrimp just turns pink, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quicker prep, use pre-chopped onions and peppers. If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the hot pepper sauce or omit it altogether. You can substitute the white wine with chicken broth or vegetable broth for a non-alcoholic version. Fresh shrimp is ideal, but frozen shrimp can also work; just ensure they are fully thawed before cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Shrimp Vera Cruz over a bed of rice or alongside warm tortillas for a delightful meal. It pairs beautifully with Lime-Cooked Shrimp With Avocados for a refreshing contrast. Consider a side salad or Mexican-style street corn to round out your meal and enhance the flavors of this dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place the shrimp mixture in a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals until warmed through, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Shrimp Vera Cruz(Microwave Recipe) contains roughly 532 calories, with 12g protein, 49g carbohydrates, and 37g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (112% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (60% of the Daily Value), and calcium (40% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2105mg per serving (92% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp, but make sure they are fully thawed and drained before adding them to the dish for even cooking. This ensures they absorb the flavors of the sauce better.
What can I substitute for dry white wine?
If you prefer not to use wine, chicken broth or vegetable broth can serve as excellent substitutes. They will maintain the moisture and add flavor without the alcohol.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the spice level, add more hot pepper sauce or include diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes. Adjust the heat to your preference while cooking to achieve the desired spiciness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).