Garlic Shrimp Mofongo – Flavor-Packed Puerto Rican Classic Recipe
Garlic Shrimp Mofongo is a flavorful Puerto Rican classic featuring mashed green plantains blended with garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings, topped with succulent garlic sautéed shrimp. This dish combines creamy mofongo with tender, garlicky shrimp, perfect for a hearty and authentic Caribbean meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Ingredients
Scale
Mofongo
- 4 green or slightly yellow plantains
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1/4 cup pork cracklings (chicharrón), optional
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garlic Shrimp
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes and Sides
- Paprika or fresh cilantro for garnish
- Lime wedges
- Sautéed vegetables or Puerto Rican rice and beans
Instructions
- Prepare Plantains: Peel the plantains and cut them into 1–2 inch pieces. Boil the plantains in water until tender, about 10–15 minutes. For additional flavor, you may fry the plantains after boiling, but boiling alone suffices for softness.
- Mash Mofongo: Using a mortar and pestle or pilón, mash the cooked plantains together with minced garlic, olive oil or butter, and the optional pork cracklings (chicharrón). Season the mashed mixture with salt and pepper to taste, creating a fragrant and textured mofongo base.
- Cook Garlic Shrimp: In a skillet, heat the butter or olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant but not browned. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for approximately 3–4 minutes per side or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Assemble Dish: Shape the mofongo into individual serving bowls or plates. Top each serving with the garlic shrimp and drizzle the flavorful pan juices over the top for an added burst of taste.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro or a sprinkle of paprika if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side and complement with sautéed vegetables or traditional Puerto Rican rice and beans for a complete meal.
Notes
- For more depth of flavor, consider lightly frying the plantains after boiling before mashing.
- Pork cracklings add authentic texture but can be omitted for a lighter dish.
- Use fresh garlic for best aroma and taste in both mofongo and shrimp.
- Ensure shrimp is cooked just until opaque to avoid toughness.
- Serve immediately to preserve the texture of mofongo and shrimp.
Keywords: Garlic Shrimp Mofongo, Puerto Rican Mofongo, Garlic Shrimp recipe, Caribbean mashed plantains, mofongo with shrimp, authentic Puerto Rican dish
