Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Avocado Crema
Bright and zesty shrimp tacos topped with crunchy cabbage slaw and a smooth avocado crema, perfect for a quick and flavorful meal. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 25 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, 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. 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 olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups green cabbage, finely shredded
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 medium avocado
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss to coat and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: While shrimp marinates, prepare the slaw by mixing 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro in a bowl.
- Step 3: For the avocado crema, blend 1 medium avocado, 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 tsp salt in a small food processor or with a fork until smooth.
- Step 4: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and cooked through.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Assemble tacos by dividing shrimp evenly among tortillas, topping with cabbage slaw and drizzling with avocado crema before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Avocado Crema 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 Lemon-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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-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 Lemon-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 Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and 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.
