Dinner comes together in a snap with these Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Lime Crema. Easy shrimp tacos are topped with a flavorful crema for the ultimate taco recipe. There is no excuse to not have a homemade meal on the table when dinner is this easy!
If you love shrimp tacos, you also need to check out these Coconut Shrimp Tacos and these Crispy Shrimp Tacos.
Believe it or not, even though I’m a food blogger, and even though I love to cook, getting dinner on the table lately has been a huge struggle. Days get busy, and way too often, dinner time comes around and I’m either too tired, or too unmotivated, or I forgot to pick up an ingredient at the grocery store.
When I’m feeling unmotivated or crazy, that is when I heavily rely on fast meals. And this shrimp taco recipe is not only fast, but it’s packed with flavor, as well.
I was actually craving shrimp tacos one day, which is how this recipe was born. I knew that I could make something in my kitchen that was way better than anything I could pick up on my way home. These shrimp tacos have quickly become a quick dinnertime staple at our house!
Ingredients
- Lime Juice and Zest: You’ll need both zest and juice from a few limes for the marinade as well as the crema. I also like to have a few slices of lime to squeeze over the tacos when serving.
- Olive Oil: I love the flavor the olive oil brings, but you could sub in another more neutral flavored oil, if desired.
- Honey: This will give the shrimp just a little bit of sweetness.
- Chipotles in Adobo: You need chipotles in adobo for both the marinade and the crema. I like to remove the seeds from the peppers, as it can be pretty spicy if you leave them in.
- Garlic: Again, the garlic goes in the marinade and the sauce. I like to grate the garlic to make sure it is super fine for the crema.
- Salt and Pepper: It is always important to season well with salt and pepper.
- Shrimp: I like to use a larger shrimp. Mine was 21-25 per pound, and each taco fit 3 shrimp. Feel free to use smaller shrimp if that is what you have, though.
- Sour Cream: The sour cream is the base for the crema. I use full fat.
- Tortillas: I love these tacos with corn tortillas, but you could easily use flour tortillas instead.
- Toppings: You can get as creative as you want, but we eat these with shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, cilantro, and queso fresco cheese.
How to Make Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Lime Crema
Step 1: The shrimp gets a quick marinade in lime juice, oil, honey, chipotle in adobo, garlic, and lime zest.
Step 2: While the shrimp is marinating, make the sauce by combining all of the ingredients
Step 3: Heat a large skillet. I like to use a nonstick skillet so that I don’t have to add any additional oil. Add the shrimp and cook until no long opaque and pink on both sides.
Step 4: Assemble the tacos, and serve!
Tips and Tricks
Do not over-marinate your shrimp. It really only needs about 20 minutes. Because of the lime juice, if you leave the shrimp to marinate too long, the shrimp will start to break down.
I like to blister or blacken the tortillas before using. You can do this in a clean, dry skillet, or if you have a gas stove, you can hold the tortilla over the flame.
You can also use flour tortillas instead of corn.
More Taco Recipes
Black Bean Tacos
Greek Tacos
Shredded Pork Tacos
Migas Tacos
Brisket Tacos
Baja Fish Tacos
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Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Lime Crema
Ingredients
For the Chipotle Lime Shrimp:
- 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons minced chipotle in adobo*
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Zest of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper
- 1 pound shrimp deveined, peeled, and tails removed
For the Chipotle Lime Crema:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon minced chipotle in adobo*
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1 clove garlic minced
For the Tacos:
- 8 corn tortillas
- Shredded cabbage
- Sliced avocado
- Cilantro
- Queso fresco
Instructions
- In a large ziplock bag, combine the lime juice, olive oil, honey, chipotle in adobo, garlic and lime zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the shrimp and marinate for about 20 minutes, squishing the bag every few minutes to make sure the shrimp are thoroughly covered in the marinade.6 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons minced chipotle in adobo*, 2 cloves garlic, Zest of 1 lime, Salt and pepper, 1 pound shrimp
- While the shrimp is marinating, make the crema by combining the sour cream, chipotle in adobo, lime juice, lime zest, and garlic. Mix well.1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon minced chipotle in adobo*, 1 tablespoon lime juice, Zest of 1 lime, 1 clove garlic
- When the shrimp is finished marinating, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the shrimp and add it to the hot skillet. (You don’t want to overcrowd the skillet, so cook in 2 batches, if needed.)
- Cook until the shrimp are no longer opaque on the bottom side, about 3-4 minutes. Flip the shrimp over and cook the second side for about a minute. Remove the shrimp to a plate.
- To assemble, top each of the tortillas with some of the shrimp, cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and queso fresco. Drizzle some of the cream on top of each taco and serve.8 corn tortillas, Shredded cabbage, Sliced avocado, Cilantro, Queso fresco
Taylor says
Is there a chipotle, like, seasoning substitute I could use? I really want to make these but I have no idea what “chipotle in adobo” even is, much less where to buy it.
Deborah says
You could use some chipotle chili powder if you want, but chipotle in adobo is pretty easy to find. You should be able to find them in the Mexican ingredient section in the grocery store. They come in a small can.
Katie says
I started making these about a year ago, but I substituted the shrimp with chicken as my husband is allergic to seafood. Ever since, he has requested them at least twice a month, and they have seriously become a staple. Making them tonight – SO easy, fresh, and delicious!!
Deborah says
Yay – love that they have become a staple, and I must try them with chicken now!
Darin says
I made these tonight for my daughter and I, and they turned out amazing!! Very tasty. Definitely will make these again. I did ease back on the chipotle pepper for her and substituted in goat cheese, but wow these were good.
Deborah says
I’m so glad that you and your daughter enjoyed them!!