Popular Shrimp Mofongo with Avocado Crema
A vibrant Puerto Rican twist on mofongo featuring garlic-infused plantains, plump shrimp, and a cool avocado crema that balances rich flavors with bright freshness. This puerto rican-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs Olive oil, (finely chopped) Yellow onion, (minced) Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 cut into 1-inch chunks) Green plantains
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 cup (finely chopped) Yellow onion
- 3 cloves (minced) Garlic
- 6 oz (peeled and deveined) Shrimp
- 1/4 cup Chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp (optional) Cayenne pepper
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 ripe (peeled and pitted) Avocado
- 2 tbsp Sour cream
- 1 tbsp Lime juice
- 1/4 cup (chopped) Cilantro
- 2 tbsp (chopped, for garnish) Green onion
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add 1 lb peeled and chopped green plantain chunks, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until very tender; drain and return to the pot.
- Step 2: Add 3 tbsp olive oil to the pot with the plantains and mash with a potato masher until smooth and no large chunks remain, about 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion, and cook for 5 minutes until softened and translucent; add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 6 oz peeled and deveined shrimp, 1/4 cup chicken broth, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste to the skillet; cook for 3-4 minutes until shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked through.
- Step 5: In a blender, combine 1 ripe avocado (peeled and pitted), 2 tbsp sour cream, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro; blend until completely smooth, adding a splash of water if needed.
- Step 6: Gently fold the cooked shrimp mixture from the skillet into the mashed plantains until fully incorporated.
- Step 7: Serve the mofongo topped with the avocado crema and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped green onion.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Popular Shrimp Mofongo with Avocado Crema take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Popular Shrimp Mofongo with 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 Popular Shrimp Mofongo 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 Popular Shrimp Mofongo 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 Popular Shrimp Mofongo with Avocado Crema?
Puerto Rican 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order puerto rican delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.