Description
Zesty Mexican grilled shrimp tacos bring coastal flavors to weeknight dinners. Quick marinade and charred tortillas create a simple, delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cabbage or slaw mix
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lime juice
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) chili powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lime wedges
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) hot sauce or sriracha
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Marinade Creation: Vigorously whisk olive oil, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl to craft a vibrant flavor base.
- Shrimp Preparation: Completely immerse raw shrimp in the zesty marinade, ensuring thorough coating, and let the seafood absorb the robust flavors for 10-15 minutes.
- Grilling Setup: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high, creating an ideal searing environment for perfect shrimp texture and caramelization.
- Cooking Process: Carefully thread marinated shrimp onto skewers or place directly on hot grill grates, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp transform to pink and develop a translucent appearance.
- Tortilla Warming: Quickly toast tortillas on the grill for 20-30 seconds per side, developing subtle char marks and enhancing their pliability.
- Taco Assembly: Layer tortillas with a delicate sauce base, top with crisp cabbage or slaw, and strategically arrange grilled shrimp for optimal presentation.
- Final Garnishing: Embellish tacos with creamy avocado slices, fresh cilantro leaves, and a vibrant lime juice drizzle for a burst of brightness.
- Serving Recommendation: Present tacos immediately, accompanied by additional sauce and lime wedges, inviting diners to customize their culinary experience.
Notes
- Marinate Mindfully: Limit shrimp marination to 15 minutes maximum to prevent lime juice from “cooking” the protein and making texture rubbery.
- Grill with Precision: Ensure grill surface is hot but not scorching to achieve perfect caramelization without burning delicate shrimp.
- Tortilla Technique: Briefly warm tortillas to enhance flexibility and prevent cracking, but avoid over-grilling which can make them brittle.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap corn tortillas for lettuce wraps to create a low-carb version, or use gluten-free tortillas for sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg