W/ Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema
Zesty shrimp tacos with a bright lemon-garlic kick and creamy avocado sauce, celebrating the 'w/' abbreviation as a symbol of fresh, simple pairings. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 30 minutes pairs large shrimp, olive oil, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 avocado
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp whole milk
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1 lb large shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add shrimp and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 3: Squeeze juice from 1 lemon over shrimp, then transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- Step 4: While shrimp cooks, mash 1 avocado with 1 tbsp lime juice and 2 tbsp whole milk until smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro and 1/4 cup finely diced red onion to make the crema.
- Step 5: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet for 15 seconds per side. Assemble tacos by spreading 1 tbsp avocado crema on each tortilla, topping with shrimp and a squeeze of extra lemon juice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does W/ Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with 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 W/ Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Tacos 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 large shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in W/ Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Tacos 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 W/ Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Tacos 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 W/ Lemon-Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema?
Mexican mexican 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
