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To make these tasty lemon garlic shrimp tacos, gather the following items: - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - Juice and zest of 2 lemons - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) - Salt and pepper to taste - 8 small corn or flour tortillas - 1 avocado, sliced - 1 cup shredded cabbage - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped - Lime wedges for serving If you don’t have some of these ingredients, don’t worry! Here are some easy swaps: - Instead of shrimp, you can use chicken or firm tofu. - Use any cooking oil you like in place of olive oil. - If you lack smoked paprika, regular paprika works too. - Swap fresh cilantro with parsley or omit it if you prefer. Fresh herbs and veggies enhance the flavor. Here are my favorites: - Cilantro adds freshness and a hint of spice. - Avocado gives creaminess and pairs well with shrimp. - Shredded cabbage adds crunch and texture to each bite. - Lime juice brightens the tacos, making them zesty and fresh. Using these ingredients will take your shrimp tacos to the next level! To start, gather your ingredients. You need olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. In a bowl, mix these items well. The olive oil adds smoothness. Garlic gives a great flavor. The lemon juice and zest bring brightness. Smoked paprika adds a nice touch of warmth. If you like heat, add the cayenne. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. This mix will coat the shrimp and add great taste. Next, take your shrimp. Make sure they are peeled and deveined. Add them to the marinade. Use a spatula or your hands to coat each shrimp evenly. Let the shrimp sit in the marinade for about 15 minutes. This step is key. It lets the shrimp soak up all the yummy flavors. Don't skip this part! After marinating, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Keep an eye on them. Overcooked shrimp can become tough. While shrimp cooks, warm your tortillas in another skillet or the microwave. Once soft, lay a tortilla on a plate. Add a portion of the shrimp. Top with sliced avocado and shredded cabbage. Finish with fresh cilantro for color and taste. Serve with lime wedges on the side to squeeze over the tacos. Enjoy your meal! To avoid overcooking shrimp, pay close attention while cooking. Shrimp cook fast. When they turn pink and opaque, they are done. This usually takes 2-3 minutes on medium-high heat. If they curl up tightly, you have cooked them too long. Always remove them from the heat as soon as they change color. This keeps them tender and juicy. When choosing tortillas, you have options. Small corn tortillas bring a nice flavor and texture. They are gluten-free, too. Flour tortillas are soft and chewy, making them a great choice. You can use whichever you prefer. Just warm them up before filling. This makes them easy to fold and enjoy. To take your tacos up a notch, think about adding fresh toppings. Avocado adds creaminess. Shredded cabbage gives crunch. Fresh cilantro brightens every bite. You can also squeeze lime juice on top for extra zing. Other options include diced tomatoes or pickled onions. Feel free to mix and match to find your favorite flavors! {{image_2}} You can switch out shrimp for other proteins. Chicken works great in this recipe. Use about one pound of diced chicken breast. Cook it the same way as the shrimp. You can also use fish like tilapia or cod. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time. Fish cooks faster than shrimp. For a different taste, try using scallops. They add a nice touch and cook quickly. If you want a vegan or vegetarian option, try using tofu. Firm tofu will hold its shape well. Cut it into cubes and marinate just like the shrimp. You can also use jackfruit. It has a texture similar to meat. Season it with the same marinade for great flavor. Cauliflower is another fun choice. Roast it until tender for a delicious twist. You can add different herbs and spices to change the flavor. Fresh herbs like dill or parsley brighten up the dish. For a spicy kick, try adding some chili powder or cumin. These spices add depth and warmth. You can also throw in some fresh lime juice. It gives a zesty flavor that pairs well with shrimp. Don't forget to experiment! Cooking is all about finding what you love. To keep your leftover tacos fresh, place them in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to two days. Make sure to separate the shrimp from the tortillas. This keeps the tortillas from getting soggy. You can also store toppings like avocado and cabbage in separate containers. This way, they stay crisp and tasty. When you are ready to eat the leftovers, you can reheat the shrimp. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2-3 minutes. Stir often until they are warm. You can also warm the tortillas. Use a skillet or microwave. If using the microwave, wrap them in a damp paper towel. This helps keep them soft. You can freeze the shrimp for later use. Place the cooked shrimp in a freezer-safe bag. Remove as much air as you can. Label the bag with the date. You can freeze the shrimp for up to three months. When you are ready to use them, thaw the shrimp in the fridge overnight. Reheat them as mentioned above. Just note, the tortillas do not freeze well. It’s best to make fresh tortillas when you’re ready to eat. Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just thaw them before cooking. You can place them in cold water for about 15-20 minutes. Once thawed, peel and devein if needed. The taste will still be great! Some tasty toppings include: - Sliced avocado - Shredded cabbage - Fresh cilantro - Lime wedges You can also add diced tomatoes or pickled onions for extra flavor. Each topping adds a nice crunch or zest. To make these tacos gluten-free, use corn tortillas instead of flour ones. Check the label to ensure they are certified gluten-free. This way, you enjoy all the flavor without the gluten! This blog post walked you through making tasty lemon garlic shrimp tacos. We covered ingredients, including swaps and fresh herbs. You learned how to prep, marinate, cook shrimp, and assemble tacos. I shared tips on avoiding overcooked shrimp and choosing the right tortillas. We explored various proteins and flavor twists. Lastly, we looked at storing and reheating leftovers. Making these tacos is easy and fun. Try them out and enjoy every bite!

Minute Lemon Garlic Shrimp Tacos

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Zesty Lemon Garlic Shrimp Tacos with this easy recipe! In just 30 minutes, you can whip up a delicious meal featuring juicy shrimp marinated in lemon and garlic, served on warm tortillas with fresh avocado and crunchy cabbage. Perfect for a quick dinner or a fun taco night. Click through to explore the full recipe and elevate your taco game today!
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Ingredients
  

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

Juice and zest of 2 lemons

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

8 small corn or flour tortillas

1 avocado, sliced

1 cup shredded cabbage

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Lime wedges for serving

Instructions
 

In a bowl, mix the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to make a marinade.

    Add the shrimp to the marinade, ensuring they are evenly coated. Allow to marinate for about 15 minutes.

      Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they are pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook.

        While the shrimp cooks, warm the tortillas in a separate skillet or in the microwave until soft.

          To assemble, place a portion of sautéed shrimp onto each tortilla, topped with sliced avocado and shredded cabbage.

            Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for extra zest.

              Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4