Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
6 mins
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Additional Time
30 mins
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Total Time
51 mins
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Calories
950 kcal
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Cuisine
Mexican
Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema
Description
This recipe highlights shrimp marinated briefly in a blend of chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, and lime juice, creating layers of spice balanced with citrus brightness. The short marinating time ensures the shrimp stay tender without being "cooked" by the lime juice. The shrimp cook quickly in a skillet or on a grill, developing subtle char and retaining juiciness. The avocado crema, made smooth by blending avocado, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, lime juice, Greek yogurt, and avocado oil, adds a creamy, tangy element that complements the shrimp's heat.
Shredded green and purple cabbage dressed lightly in avocado crema adds texture and freshness to the tacos' filling. The choice of flour or corn tortillas, lightly toasted or warmed, provides a soft but supportive wrap for the ingredients. Fresh cilantro and lime wedges brighten each bite.
Careful preparation of the shrimp, including removing the shell, deveining, and limiting marinade time to 30 minutes, helps maintain an ideal texture. The avocado crema can be served drizzled over the tacos or piped for presentation.
Ingredients
Shrimp Marinade
- 1 lb Shrimp (uncooked, peeled, deveined, tails removed (see note on shrimp prep))
- 1 tsp chili powder dark variety
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp oregano dried
- 1 tsp garlic (minced (or 1/2 tsp [garlic powder]))
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- lime about 2 tsp, juice of 1
- 3 tbsp avocado oil
Avocado Crema
- 1 avocado seed removed and flesh scooped out, medium
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1 jalapeño (seeds removed)
- 3 cloves garlic (peeled)
- 2 lime juiced (3 tbsp
- 1/2 cup yogurt plain, Greek
- 3 tbsp avocado oil
- 3 tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Taco Elements/Garnish
- 1 cup green cabbage shredded
- 1 cup purple cabbage shredded
- 8-10 flour tortilla lightly toasted, or corn tortilla, small
- cilantro fresh
- lime wedges
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients: 3 tbsp avocado oil, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic, red pepper flakes, and kosher salt. Add in prepped shrimp, stir to coat all the shrimp with marinade. Place in refrigerator and marinate for max 30 minutes.
- While the shrimp is marinating, in a food processor add the avocado crema ingredients: avocado, cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, lime juice, yogurt, olive oil, water and kosher salt. Pulse until all the ingredients are smooth. If the consistency is too thick, add another tbsp of water. Set aside.
- Using a mandoline or knife, shred the cabbages. Place in a small bowl, add a few spoons of the avocado crema and toss to combine. Save the rest of the crema to drizzle over the tacos at the end.
- You can either cook the shrimp in a cast iron skillet or grill them. Over medium/high heat place the shrimp into the skillet. Ensure they are all laid flat into the pan and not on top of each other, this will allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of the shrimp, they will cook in about 4-6 minutes. Flip halfway through to get a nice char/color on each side. If grilling, skewer them so they do not fall through the grates (see note on cooking shrimp).
- Assemble the tacos: Place the tortilla down, add a few spoons of the cabbage slaw, add a few shrimp, drizzle avocado crema over the top (see note on crema drizzle), garnish with fresh cilantro, serve with lime wedges!
Notes
- Remove heads and legs before peeling shrimp to retain tail meat without damage.
- Devein shrimp by making a shallow cut along the back and lifting out the dark vein for cleaner taste.
- Do not marinate shrimp longer than 30 minutes to avoid citrus "cooking" the shrimp and altering texture.
- Cook shrimp until opaque and shaped in a “C” to verify doneness without overcooking.
- Use a piping bag made from a ziplock to drizzle avocado crema neatly over the cooked shrimp for better presentation.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 950 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 950kcal | 48% |
| Carbohydrates | 173g | 58% |
| Protein | 43g | 86% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 161mg | 54% |
| Sodium | 935mg | 39% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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