Jalapeño-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Avocado Crema
Fresh shrimp marinated in jalapeño and lime, grilled to hot perfection, served in warm corn tortillas with a cooling yet spicy avocado crema. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, lime juice, olive oil 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. 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
- 1 fresh jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, mix 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp with 1 finely chopped jalapeño, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Marinate for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: While shrimp marinates, blend 1 medium ripe avocado, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, and 1 tbsp hot sauce in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Jalapeño-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Spicy 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 Jalapeño-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Spicy 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 Jalapeño-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Spicy 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 Jalapeño-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Spicy 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 Jalapeño-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Spicy 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.
