Garcia's Spicy Coconut Shrimp Tacos
Bright, zesty shrimp tacos with a creamy coconut-cilantro sauce, inspired by the most common Hispanic surname in the U.S. This mexican-inspired seafood (dairy-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs shrimp, coconut milk, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz shrimp
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 jalapeño
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1/2 avocado
Instructions
- Step 1: Peel and devein 12 oz shrimp, then toss with 1/2 cup coconut milk, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 finely minced jalapeño. Marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and pink, then set aside.
- Step 3: Blend 1/4 cup cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 cup coconut milk until smooth. Warm 8 corn tortillas, then top each with 2 shrimp, 1/4 avocado sliced, and 1 tbsp cilantro sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garcia's Spicy Coconut Shrimp Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Garcia's Spicy Coconut Shrimp Tacos?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garcia's Spicy Coconut Shrimp Tacos?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Garcia's Spicy Coconut Shrimp Tacos for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Garcia's Spicy Coconut Shrimp Tacos dairy-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.