Description
These Blackened Shrimp Tacos are packed with smoky, slightly spicy shrimp, creamy avocado spread, crisp lettuce, and fresh pico de gallo. Ready in under 30 minutes, they make a quick and flavorful meal that tastes restaurant-worthy.
Ingredients
1 large ripe avocado
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 small clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 pounds large raw shrimp (31–40 count), peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon blackening seasoning
2 tablespoons oil
8 corn tortillas, warmed
1–2 cups thinly sliced romaine or bibb lettuce
1 cup pico de gallo
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Place the avocado in a small bowl and mash until mostly smooth. Stir in the lime juice, garlic, and salt until combined.
- Warm a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the corn tortillas for 1 to 2 minutes per side until lightly browned. Stack and cover with a clean towel to keep warm.
- Pat the shrimp dry and place them in a medium bowl. Toss with the blackening seasoning until evenly coated.
- For the stovetop method, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the shrimp in a single layer for about 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Cook in batches if necessary and remove from the heat immediately.
- For the grilling method, thread the seasoned shrimp onto skewers. Grill over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes total, turning once halfway through cooking.
- Spread about one-eighth of the avocado mixture onto each tortilla.
- Add shredded lettuce to each tortilla and top with approximately five shrimp.
- Spoon pico de gallo over the shrimp.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice before serving.
Notes
Large shrimp provide the best texture and remain juicy when cooked.
Frozen shrimp may be used if thawed and patted dry before seasoning.
Add jalapeños or hot sauce for extra heat.
Substitute shredded cabbage for lettuce for additional crunch.
A dollop of sour cream or cilantro-lime crema adds extra richness.
Store cooked shrimp separately from toppings and tortillas for up to 3 days.
Reheat shrimp gently to avoid overcooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop or Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taco
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
