Being at the beach is invigorating, especially when it means unwinding with family. In Malibu, the golden hour before sunset is magical, spent around the grill with refreshing drinks and fresh ingredients from local stands. This summer, our standout dish has been these grilled shrimp tacos topped with grapefruit-avocado salsa. We can't get enough!

Now that I'm back in Austin, I aim to recreate that laid-back vibe at home. Even amidst the busy schedule of work and kids' activities, I'm determined to savor summer evenings outdoors. This shrimp taco recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a meal outside any night of the week. Let's get started!

Ingredients for Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Here's a concise list of ingredients that makes for a perfect summer dish. Gather these items on your next grocery run:

  • limes
  • grapefruit
  • honey
  • garlic
  • chili powder
  • mayo
  • shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • cabbage
  • corn tortillas
  • avocados
  • cilantro
  • jalapeños

Crafting the Perfect Shrimp Tacos

Marinate the Shrimp

For simplicity, let's use the marinade in multiple ways. It serves as both the shrimp marinade and the base for a creamy sauce, while also featuring in the grapefruit salsa. This keeps our ingredient list short.

To prepare the marinade, whisk together the zest and juice of your citrus fruits, honey, minced garlic, chili powder, and olive oil. Pour half of this marinade over the shrimp in a bowl. Allow the shrimp to marinate for 30 minutes to an hour—don't exceed this time to avoid starting to cook them in the citrus. We're not making ceviche!

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Prepare the Quick Crema

This creamy sauce adds incredible flavor to the tacos. Combine the reserved marinade with mayo or sour cream to create a quick sauce. Toss a bit of this with the shredded cabbage for a speedy slaw, and set aside the rest to drizzle over the tacos when ready to serve.

Mix Your Salsa

Grapefruit takes center stage in this refreshing salsa. It's simple to make and enhances the tacos significantly. Just combine chunks of avocado and grapefruit, add cilantro, and adjust the jalapeño to your preferred spice level. For extra enjoyment, double the recipe for serving as an appetizer with tortilla chips.

Cooking the Shrimp

For the best flavor, achieving a nice char on the shrimp is essential. I prefer cooking them quickly in a cast-iron skillet over the grill, allowing for a perfect sear while preventing the shrimp from slipping through the grates.

Once you place the shrimp in the skillet and hear that satisfying sizzle, resist the urge to move them until the first side is beautifully caramelized.

Assemble the Tacos

To serve, layer a charred corn tortilla with cabbage slaw, grapefruit salsa, and the grilled shrimp. Top with cilantro and a drizzle of crema, and serve with lime wedges. Enjoy your delicious shrimp tacos!

Tips for Taco Perfection

Experiment with Toppings

If you prefer to skip the salsa, opt for slices of creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Pico de gallo is also a great addition!

Try Different Proteins

Consider transforming this into fish tacos using the same marinade, sauce, and salsa. Cod or halibut makes a great alternative.

Make It Simple

I have a few handy shortcuts for this shrimp taco recipe:

  • Opt for pre-shredded cabbage.
  • Choose raw shrimp that are already peeled and deveined.
  • Char corn tortillas directly on the grill to keep the cooking outdoors and easy to clean!

Description

These shrimp tacos are unbeatable. With a zesty citrus-honey marinade and vibrant grapefruit salsa, they make for a delightful summer dinner, mainly cooked on the grill, perfect for gatherings.

Ingredients

  • Zest of 1 lime and 1 grapefruit

  • 1/4 cup lime juice

  • 1/4 cup grapefruit juice

  • 1/2 cup honey

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for the skillet

  • 1/4 cup mayo or sour cream

  • Kosher salt and pepper

  • 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined

  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage

  • Corn tortillas, charred on the grill

  • For serving: cilantro leaves and lime wedges

For the grapefruit salsa:

  • 1 grapefruit, segmented

  • 1 avocado, diced

  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

  • 1 jalapeño, diced

  • Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: whisk together zest, juice, honey, garlic, chili powder, and olive oil.

  2. Place shrimp in a bowl, pour half the marinade over, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

  3. Mix ¼ cup of the reserved marinade with ¼ cup of mayo or sour cream for your creamy sauce. Chill until ready to serve.

  4. For the grapefruit salsa: gently combine all ingredients in a bowl. Refrigerate until serving.

  5. Preheat the grill to medium (375°F) and place a cast-iron skillet on the grates to heat.

  6. Drizzle olive oil in the skillet, add shrimp, and cook for 2 minutes. Baste with reserved marinade, flip, and cook another two minutes until opaque.

  7. Remove from the grill.

  8. Toss the cabbage with a few tablespoons of the creamy sauce and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.

  9. Assemble tacos: layer a charred corn tortilla with slaw, salsa, and shrimp. Garnish with cilantro and drizzle with sauce. Serve with lime wedges. Enjoy!

  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Method: Grilling

Keywords: Best shrimp taco recipe