Grilled Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema
Spicy chipotle-marinated shrimp grilled to perfection and served in warm corn tortillas with a cooling avocado crema and fresh cilantro. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes turns large shrimp, peeled and deveined, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, fresh lime juice into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- for serving lime wedges
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb large shrimp, 2 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp salt. Toss to coat shrimp evenly and marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: While shrimp marinates, prepare avocado crema by blending 1 medium ripe avocado, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, and 2 tbsp water in a blender until smooth and creamy; set aside.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2 minutes per side until shrimp are opaque and slightly charred.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly toasted.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by spreading 1 tbsp avocado crema on each tortilla, topping with 3-4 grilled shrimp, and a handful of 1 cup shredded red cabbage. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Grilled Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema?
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 Grilled Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema 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.
What goes well with Grilled Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema?
Mexican tacos & burritos like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
