Name: Tangy Garlic Lime Shrimp Tacos
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 pound medium shrimp (peeled, tail removed, deveined); 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; pinch cayenne pepper; 1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil; 3 cloves garlic; 1 lime (zested and juiced); 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped); 8 flour tortillas (warm); 1/2 cup cilantro; 1 cup charred salsa verde (recipe on this site); 1 cup queso fresco (crumbled); 1 lime (cut into wedges); 1 avocado (sliced); 1/4 cabbage (thinly sliced); 1 jalapeño (thinly sliced); pickled red onions; pico de gallo; 1/2 cup sour cream

This tangy, smoky, garlic shrimp marinade makes a great shrimp taco seasoning. It’s quick and easy to make and creates a delicious coating for shrimp and seafood. Though you could eat the garlic lime shrimp on its own, it’s even better tucked into a warm tortilla and loaded with your favorite toppings.

Here in the tropics, fish abounds. So does crab — both the blue crab variety and those tasty stone crab claws in season now. We have sweet spiny lobsters (ours don’t have the big pincher claws) and oysters from the northern part of the state. And then there’s shrimp. Gorgeous, pink blue crab — plentiful, plump & juicy! One of the easiest and tastiest ways to enjoy this bounty is with this easy lime, cumin and garlic shrimp marinade, which is less of a marinade and more of a quick, down-and-dirty preparation.

Ingredients for Lime Cumin Garlic Shrimp Marinade

Cumin
Smoked Paprika
Cayenne Pepper
Oil
Salt
Pepper
Lime Zest
Lime Juice
Chopped Garlic

Making Garlic Lime Shrimp

Peel and devein the shrimp (removing the tails, if you’re making tacos)
Transfer shrimp to a bowl and lightly coat with oil.
Add cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper to the shrimp and toss to coat.
Add oil to a large skillet over medium high heat.
Place the shrimp in a single layer in the skillet and cook on one side until they turn pink.
Using a pair of tongs, flip the shrimp over and add the lime zest, garlic and lime juice. Toss the shrimp in the lime garlic glaze until well coated and the shrimp are cooked through.

This is less of a garlic shrimp marinade, because you really don’t need to let the shrimp rest in the shrimp taco seasoning blend before cooking it. That makes these garlic lime shrimp tacos super fast and easy to make. In fact, it will probably take you longer to assemble the toppings than it will the shrimp.

Can I Use Frozen Shrimp For Shrimp Tacos?

Yes. Frozen shrimp is fine, however, be sure to thaw the shrimp completely. Pat it dry with paper towels, otherwise they’ll steam instead of sear. Also, if using frozen shrimp with the tails on — remove the tails — you don’t want a big piece of shell in your taco.

What Size Shrimp Should I Use?

The nice thing about this is that you don’t have to go all out and buy the extra large or jumbo variety of prawns. In fact, you shouldn’t. 24-30 count medium shrimp are the perfect size for tacos.

Shrimp Taco Seasoning and Toppings:

If you aren’t a spice fan, you can eliminate the cayenne pepper from the shrimp taco seasoning. However, if you do like spice, you could also augment with red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce.

More Favorite Toppings:

Diced tomato
Pico De Gallo
Avocado
Cilantro
Queso Fresco
Cheddar
Monterey Jack
Pepper Jack
Shredded Cabbage (Red or White)
Slaw
10 Minute Chunky Black Bean and Corn Salsa from Dawn at Girl Heart Food.
Sliced Jalapenos
Pickled Jalapeños
Tomatillo Salsa
Lime Wedges
Fish Taco Sauce (courtesy of Greg at My Wife Can Cook)
Sour Cream
Lime Crema
Pickled Red Onions

The best shrimp taco seasoning advice I can give, however, is to lightly char your tortillas. Heated in the oven is ok, but to really make it authentic, they need to be kissed by a flame or hot pan.

How To Char Tortillas For Garlic Lime Shrimp Tacos

Gas Grill Method: Heat the gas grill to a medium heat (about 350°) and lay the tortillas in a single layer on the grill. Heat the tortillas, just until they start to puff, then use a pair of tongs to flip them. Note: If your gas grill has hot spots, be aware of them and pay extra attention so you don’t burn the whole tortilla.

Gas Burning Stovetop Method: Turn the stove top on to a medium flame. Rest a tortilla directly on the burner (not the heating element itself). Use a pair of tongs to move the tortilla around and char it evenly. When it starts to puff on one side, flip the tortilla and char the other side to your liking. Continue with remaining tortillas.

Electric Stovetop Method: This one isn’t quite as effective, but if you don’t have access to a gas burner, you don’t have much of a choice. Place a nonstick skillet over medium high heat and place a tortilla in the skillet. Cook the tortilla until it becomes fragrant and starts to take on some color. (It may or may not puff, so don’t use that as your visual cue). Use your tongs to flip it and continue charring on the other side.

Serve the tangy garlic lime shrimp tacos with your favorite yellow rice, coleslaw or from my fellow foodie pals these fabulous sides:

Quick and Easy Black Bean Recipe via Julie from Hostess At Heart.

Arroz Verde (Green Poblano Rice) from Sean at Diversivore.

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