Description
Zesty “Shrimp Tacos” bring Mexican coastal flavors dancing across your plate with bold spices and fresh ingredients. Crisp tortillas cradle succulent shrimp, inviting you to savor a delicious culinary journey that celebrates fresh seafood and vibrant seasonings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1 avocado, sliced
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons (2 tsp) chili powder
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon (1/2 tsp) garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) olive oil
Toppings and Sauce:
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- 0.5 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) lime juice
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Craft a robust spice blend by whisking together chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
- Thoroughly coat raw shrimp with the prepared spice mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly seasoned.
- Preheat a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Carefully place seasoned shrimp into the hot skillet, cooking for roughly 2 minutes per side until they transform to a vibrant pink and become translucent.
- Remove shrimp from heat and let rest momentarily while preparing the accompanying sauce.
- Blend Greek yogurt with fresh lime juice, finely chopped cilantro, and minced jalapeño in a separate bowl, creating a zesty cream sauce.
- Quickly warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until they become soft and flexible, about 15-20 seconds.
- Construct tacos by layering crisp shredded lettuce as the base, then arranging perfectly cooked spiced shrimp on top.
- Enhance each taco with creamy avocado slices and a generous drizzle of the tangy cilantro sauce.
- Garnish with additional fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus flavor.
Notes
- Select fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best taste and texture, ensuring they’re deveined and cleaned properly before seasoning.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing chili powder and jalapeño to suit individual heat preferences without compromising flavor balance.
- Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option or swap Greek yogurt with dairy-free alternatives like coconut yogurt to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Pat shrimp dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and achieve a crispier exterior when cooking, preventing soggy results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg