Grilled Lime-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Avocado Crema
Juicy shrimp marinated in lime and garlic grilled to perfection, served in warm tortillas with crunchy cabbage slaw and a smooth avocado crema for a fresh taco dinner. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, lime juice, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 medium avocado
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 3 tbsp lime juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss to coat and marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: While shrimp marinates, prepare the slaw by mixing 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage, 1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro in a bowl.
- Step 3: For the avocado crema, blend 1 medium avocado, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tsp lime zest, and 1 tsp honey until smooth; season with a pinch of salt.
- Step 4: Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Thread the shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side. Assemble tacos by layering grilled shrimp, cabbage slaw, and a dollop of avocado crema. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lime-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Avocado Crema 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 Grilled Lime-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Avocado Crema?
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 lime juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lime-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and 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 Lime-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and 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 Lime-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Avocado Crema?
Mexican seafood 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.
