Shrimp Taco Bowls
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Shrimp Taco Bowls combine cilantro lime rice, creamy refried beans, fresh veggies, and spicy sautéed shrimp. Add toppings of your choice for the tastiest Tex-Mex fiesta meal!
Shrimp Bowls
These Shrimp Bowls are another one of our Tex-Mex creations, perfect for weeknight dinners but also make a nice weekend meal. Prep all of the sides and veggies ahead of time and then sauté the shrimp right before dinnertime. The whole family will love it!
For other customizable bowl recipes, try our Mediterranean Grain Bowls, Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls, Buddha Bowls with Peanut Sauce, and Chipotle Chicken Fajita Bowls.
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE TO MAKE – These bowls are super simple to make but take a little longer if making extra toppings etc. However, most of these items can be prepped in advance making mealtime a breeze.
- FULL OF TEX-MEX FLAVORS – We love adding Tex-Mex flavors and textures to so many of our recipes. Most of these can be easily customized to fit your desires.
- GREAT FOR MEAL PREP – You can prep these for easy lunches during the week. I recommend keeping the shrimp and toppings separately though so they aren’t over-heated. You’ll want to microwave the rice and beans and then add the remaining toppings and shrimp.
What You’ll Need:
- Avocado Oil – Avocado oil has a higher smoke point than avocado oil so I recommend using it for the shrimp.
- Shrimp – We used large raw shrimp.
- Seasonings – a simple combo of cumin, chili pepper, onion powder, salt, and pepper
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice – or use regular rice, Green Chile Rice, or Spanish Rice and Beans.
- Restaurant Style Refried Beans – These add creaminess to the bowls but you could use caned beans instead.
- Toppings – Mexican cheese, cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado, Spicy Pickled Onions, chips, and salsa.
How to make Shrimp Taco Bowls:
Step 1
Make refried beans. Our refried beans recipe is creamy and delicious and is truly restaurant quality. Give them a try!
Step 2
Make cilantro lime rice. We enjoy making this in our Instant Pot but you could make it on the stovetop too (according to package directions).
Step 3
Prep shrimp. Remove shrimp shells and tails. Then devein them (if not already done). Add the blend of seasonings (cumin, chili pepper, onion powder, salt, and pepper) to both sides of the shrimp.
Step 4
Sauté shrimp. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil and when hot, add the shrimp. Cook for a couple of minutes on one side and then flip and cook until done. Remove from pan to rest.
Shrimp is done when it’s no longer pink. This will take only a few minutes.
Step 5
Prep other toppings. Prep a variety of toppings – tomatoes, avocado, onions, shredded Mexican cheese, chips, and salsa.
Other Possible Toppings:
Feel free to change up the toppings according to what you like best. Here are some other choices.
Step 6
Assemble bowls. Assemble bowls by layering cilantro lime rice (or use regular rice), refried beans (or use plain black beans or pinto beans), and sautéed shrimp. Then top with onions, tomatoes, avocado, shredded cheese, chips, and salsa.
Recipe FAQs:
You should buy large raw shrimp. If you can find peeled and deveined shrimp, it will save time.
Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Don’t overcook.
Yes, instead of using cilantro lime rice, you could make Green Chile Rice or Spanish Rice and Beans. Or for simplicity, just use regular cooked rice.
Yes, instead of using refried beans, use regular canned black or pinto beans.
Other Tex-Mex Recipes
Tex-Mex is most definitely one of our favorite cuisines!
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Shrimp Taco Bowls Recipe
Ingredients
For the shrimp:
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 ½ pounds raw large shrimp – shelled, deveined, and tails removed
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin – homemade or store-bought
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
For the remaining ingredients:
- 3-4 cups prepared rice – we make cilantro lime rice
- 2 cups refried beans – we love our homemade refried beans
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes – halved
- 1/4 cup red onion – or make spicy pickled onions
- 1/2 cup Mexican cheese
- avocado, chips, salsa – for serving
Instructions
- Make refried beans.
- Make cilantro lime rice.
- Prep shrimp. Remove shrimp shells and tails. Then devein them (if not already done). Add the blend of seasonings (cumin, chili pepper, onion powder, salt, and pepper) to both sides of the shrimp.
- Sauté shrimp. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil and when hot, add the shrimp. Cook for a couple of minutes on one side and then flip and cook until done. Remove from pan to rest.Shrimp is done when it's no longer pink. This will take only a few minutes.
- Prep other toppings. Prep a variety of toppings – tomatoes, avocado, onions, shredded Mexican cheese, chips, and salsa.
- Assemble bowls. Assemble bowls by layering cilantro lime rice (or use regular rice), refried beans (or use plain black beans or pinto beans), and sautéed shrimp. Then top with onions, tomatoes, avocado, shredded cheese, chips, and salsa.
Notes
- Instead of using cilantro lime rice, you could make Green Chile Rice or Spanish Rice and Beans. Or for simplicity, just use regular cooked rice.
- Instead of using refried beans, use regular canned black or pinto beans.
- You can prep these for easy lunches during the week. I recommend keeping the shrimp and toppings separately though so they aren’t over-heated. You’ll want to microwave the rice and beans and then add the remaining toppings and shrimp.
