Go Back
+ servings
Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema

Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema

This easy shrimp taco recipe is everything you've ever wanted in a taco. Spicy marinated shrimp cooked to tender perfection with avocado crema.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Inactive Time 30 minutes
Total Time 51 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 tacos
Calories 950 kcal

Equipment

  • Cuisinart Elemental 8-Cup Food Processor
  • Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet
  • Wüsthof Classic Chef’s Knife
  • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

Ingredients
  

Shrimp Marinade

  • 1 lb shrimp (uncooked, peeled, deveined, tails removed) see note on shrimp prep
  • 1 teaspoon dark chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic (minced) or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoon avocado oil

Avocado Crema

  • 1 medium avocado seed removed and flesh scooped out
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled
  • 2 limes juiced (about 3 tbsp)
  • ½ cup plain greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 3 tablespoon water
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Taco Elements/Garnish

  • 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
  • 8-10 small flour or corn tortillas lightly toasted
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Lime Wedges

Instructions
 

Marinating the Shrimp

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients: 3 tablespoon 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.

Preparing the Avocado Crema

  • 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 tablespoon of water. Set aside.

Preparing the Cabbage Slaw

  • 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.

Cooking the Shrimp

  • 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.

Assembling the Tacos

  • 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, garnish with fresh cilantro, serve with lime wedges!

Notes

If your shrimp are whole, remove the head first, then the legs, and then proceed to peel off the outer shell. Make sure the shrimp are deveined. Due to the citrus in the marinade, do not marinate the shrimp for more than 30 minutes. Shrimp will turn from translucent to opaque when cooked through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tacoCalories: 950kcalCarbohydrates: 173gProtein: 43gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 161mgSodium: 935mgFiber: 10gSugar: 4g
Keyword Avocado Crema, Easy Tacos, Seafood Tacos, Shrimp Tacos, Spicy Shrimp Tacos, Taco Tuesday
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!