Description
These blackened shrimp tacos are bursting with bold spices, juicy shrimp, and topped with a creamy cilantro lime sauce. A fast and flavor-packed meal perfect for taco night or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Blackened Shrimp:
1 lb raw shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails removed)
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
For the Cilantro Lime Sauce:
½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
2 tbsp mayonnaise
½ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 garlic clove (minced)
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt to taste
(Optional) ¼ jalapeño for spice
For Serving:
8 small corn or flour tortillas
Shredded cabbage or slaw mix
Pickled red onions
Diced avocado or guacamole
Crumbled queso fresco
Lime wedges
Instructions
Prepare the shrimp:
In a large bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil and all spices for the blackening rub. Toss until shrimp are evenly coated.
Cook the shrimp:
Heat a cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until they curl and blacken slightly. Do not overcrowd the pan.
Make the cilantro lime sauce:
In a blender or food processor, blend sour cream, mayo, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, and salt until smooth. Chill until ready to use.
Warm tortillas:
Toast tortillas on a dry skillet for 20–30 seconds per side until warm and slightly charred.
Assemble tacos:
Fill each tortilla with a few shrimp, top with slaw, avocado, pickled onions, and queso fresco. Drizzle generously with cilantro lime sauce. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Notes
For extra smoky flavor, grill the shrimp instead of pan-searing.
Make the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store in the fridge.
You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a healthier twist.
Gluten-free? Use certified GF corn tortillas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tacos
- Calories: 325 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 175mg