Las Vegas Pennzoil Desert-Inspired Shrimp Tacos
Zesty shrimp tacos with smoky chipotle crema and fresh avocado salsa, capturing the vibrant flavors of the Las Vegas Pennzoil 400 race day. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 25 minutes pairs peeled and deveined medium shrimp, olive oil, chili powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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, peeled and deveined medium shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 large, diced avocado
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp, minced chipotle in adobo sauce
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined medium shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the seasoned shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 3: While shrimp cooks, prepare the avocado salsa by combining 1 large diced avocado, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and 2 tbsp lime juice in a bowl; gently toss to combine.
- Step 4: For the chipotle crema, mix 1/2 cup sour cream with 1 tbsp minced chipotle in adobo sauce and 1 tsp honey until smooth.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 6: Assemble the tacos by spreading a spoonful of chipotle crema on each tortilla, topping with 3-4 shrimp, and finishing with a generous scoop of avocado salsa.
- Step 7: Serve immediately with lime wedges if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Las Vegas Pennzoil Desert-Inspired Shrimp Tacos take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Las Vegas Pennzoil Desert-Inspired 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Las Vegas Pennzoil Desert-Inspired 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 Las Vegas Pennzoil Desert-Inspired 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.
What goes well with Las Vegas Pennzoil Desert-Inspired Shrimp Tacos?
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.
