Description
Tantalizing lime shrimp tacos bring Mexican coastal flavors to your dinner table with bright, fresh ingredients. Crisp tortillas cradle succulent shrimp, delivering a perfect balance of zesty citrus and smoky spices that will delight your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) peeled and de-veined shrimp
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Taco Components and Toppings:
- 4–6 taco tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced cabbage
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 ripe avocado (sliced)
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 1 garlic clove (pressed)
Liquids and Oils:
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Juice of 1 ripe lime
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Whisk together avocado oil, lime juice, and selected seasonings in a mixing container. Add shrimp and allow flavors to meld for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Create tangy cabbage slaw by combining cabbage with avocado oil, lime juice, salt, and sugar. Gently massage ingredients to help cabbage soften and absorb flavors.
- Prepare creamy taco sauce by blending all sauce ingredients until smooth and well-integrated. Adjust consistency as needed.
- Preheat skillet to medium-high heat for optimal searing. Cook marinated shrimp approximately 45 seconds per side, ensuring they turn opaque and develop a slight golden exterior.
- Gently warm tortillas until pliable and slightly charred. Layer each tortilla with prepared cabbage slaw, perfectly seared shrimp, creamy avocado slices, and crumbled cotija cheese.
- Finish tacos by generously drizzling homemade taco sauce over the top, creating a vibrant and zesty final presentation.
Notes
- Select large, fresh shrimp for the best texture and flavor in your tacos.
- Marinate shrimp briefly to prevent lime juice from “cooking” the proteins, which can make them tough and rubbery.
- Swap tortillas for lettuce wraps to create a low-carb, gluten-free version of these zesty tacos.
- Toast tortillas quickly over an open flame or on a skillet to enhance their flavor and create a slightly crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg