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Zesty Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Crema

Deliciously spiced shrimp tacos served with a crunchy, fresh slaw and a creamy avocado sauce. A perfect, flavour-packed meal for any night of the week.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 425

Ingredients
  

For the Spiced Shrimp
  • 450 g raw king prawns peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
For the Avocado Crema
  • 2 ripe avocados halved and stoned
  • 120 g soured cream or full-fat Greek yoghurt
  • A large handful of fresh coriander stalks and leaves
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 small garlic clove roughly chopped
  • 1/4 tsp salt
For the Slaw & Assembly
  • 1/4 small red cabbage about 200g, finely shredded
  • 1 large carrot grated
  • 1/2 red onion very thinly sliced
  • A small handful of fresh coriander chopped
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas
  • Optional for serving: Feta cheese sliced jalapeños, fresh lime wedges

Method
 

  1. Make the Avocado Crema: Scoop the flesh from the avocados into a food processor or blender. Add the soured cream, fresh coriander, lime juice, garlic, and salt. Blend for 30-60 seconds until completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides if needed. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and set aside in the fridge.
  2. Prepare the Slaw: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded red cabbage, grated carrot, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped coriander. Squeeze the lime juice over the top, add a small pinch of salt, and toss everything together until well combined. Set aside.
  3. Season the Shrimp: If you're using frozen prawns, ensure they are fully thawed. Pat the raw prawns thoroughly dry with a paper towel. This is a crucial step for getting a good sear. Place them in a bowl and add the olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until every prawn is evenly coated.
  4. Cook the Shrimp: Place a large frying pan or skillet over a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the shrimp in a single layer. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; cook in two batches if necessary. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side, until they turn pink and slightly charred. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side until opaque and cooked through. For more information on prawn preparation, BBC Good Food has a helpful guide on preparing prawns.
  5. Finish the Shrimp: Remove the pan from the heat and squeeze the juice of half a lime over the cooked shrimp. Toss them in the pan to coat.
  6. Warm the Tortillas: You can warm the tortillas one by one in a dry frying pan for about 30 seconds per side, or wrap a stack of them in foil and place them in a warm oven (150°C/130°C fan) for 10 minutes until soft and pliable. What works best for me is charring them carefully over a low gas flame using tongs for extra flavour.
  7. Assemble Your Tacos: Now for the fun part! Lay out a warm tortilla. Spread a generous spoonful of the avocado crema down the centre. Top with a pile of the crunchy slaw, then arrange 4-5 spiced shrimp on top. Garnish with crumbled feta, a few slices of jalapeño, and an extra sprig of coriander if you wish. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.

Notes

Serve immediately with extra lime wedges. For added flavour and heat, top with crumbled feta cheese and sliced jalapeños.