Perfect Shrimp Taco Recipe
Restaurant-quality shrimp tacos with perfectly seasoned shrimp in a flavorful marinade. Quick, easy, and ready in just 25 minutes using simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- - 1½ pounds medium shrimp peeled and deveined (26-30 count per pound)
- - 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin preferred
- - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- - 2 teaspoons chili powder
- - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- - ½ teaspoon onion powder
- - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- - 1 teaspoon salt
- - ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground preferred
- - Corn or flour tortillas for serving
- - Fresh cilantro for garnish
- - Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels and arrange all ingredients before beginning.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil and fresh lime juice.
- Add chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, whisking until no lumps remain.
- Incorporate garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper, then add salt and black pepper, whisking into a smooth paste.
- Add clean, dry shrimp to the bowl and toss gently but thoroughly until evenly coated.
- Marinate for exactly 15-30 minutes (set a timer to avoid over-marinating).
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add marinated shrimp in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Cook for 2 minutes without moving, then flip and cook 1-2 minutes more until pink and opaque.
- Remove from heat immediately and let rest 2-3 minutes.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side.
- Assemble tacos with 4-5 shrimp pieces per tortilla, fresh cilantro, and lime juice.
Notes
- Don't over-marinate shrimp as citrus acid will make them rubbery
- Cook shrimp in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding
- Shrimp are done when they form a "C" shape, not a tight "O"
- Store cooked shrimp up to 3 days refrigerated
- Both fresh and frozen shrimp work excellently
- Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for desired spice level
- Cook shrimp in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding
- Shrimp are done when they form a "C" shape, not a tight "O"
- Store cooked shrimp up to 3 days refrigerated
- Both fresh and frozen shrimp work excellently
- Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for desired spice level
