Kylie Jenner Shrimp Taco Recipe

I finally tried the viral Kylie Jenner Shrimp Taco Recipe that everyone has been talking about, and let me tell you, the hype is absolutely real.

After seeing it pop up all over my feed, I knew I had to recreate this dish in my own kitchen to see if it lived up to the celebrity status.

It turns out that this shrimp taco recipe is incredibly flavorful, surprisingly simple to whip up, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Trust me, once you take that first bite of seasoned shrimp and creamy guacamole, you’ll be adding this to your weekly rotation immediately.

Ingredients

Here is everything you need to recreate these delicious tacos at home, focusing on fresh components for the best flavor profile.

• 1 pound fresh shrimp: Opt for raw shrimp that is grey or white in color rather than pink, and avoid frozen if possible for better texture.
• 2 cups chopped onions: White or yellow onions work best here to provide a sharp, savory base for the filling mixture.
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese: Grating your own block of cheese melts much better than using pre-shredded bags that contain anti-caking agents.
• 1 cup chopped cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds that essential bright, herbal note that cuts through the richness of the fried components.
• 1/2 cup shredded green onion: These add a mild onion bite and a nice pop of color to the guacamole and garnish.
• 1 1/2 limes: You will need fresh lime juice to wake up the flavors in the guacamole and add zest to the finished tacos.
• Sour cream: Use full-fat sour cream for the richest texture, or swap it for Greek yogurt if you want a tangier kick.
• Canola oil: This neutral oil is perfect for frying the tortillas without adding unwanted flavors to the delicate shell.
• 3 ripe avocados: Look for avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure to ensure your guacamole is creamy and smooth.
• Fresh salsa: A high-quality store-bought pico de gallo or homemade salsa adds moisture and acidity to balance the dish.
• Onion powder to taste: This concentrated flavor booster is essential for seasoning both the shrimp and the guacamole base.
• White corn tortillas: These fry up beautifully crisp compared to flour tortillas and offer that authentic street taco flavor.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil: Use this for sautéing the vegetable base and shrimp mixture to prevent sticking and add flavor.
• Old Bay Seasoning to taste: This is the secret weapon that gives the shrimp that distinctive, savory, slightly spicy kick.
• 2 cups diced tomatoes: Remove the seeds and excess juice so your taco filling doesn’t become too watery while cooking.

Note: This recipe yields approximately 4 servings, perfect for a family dinner or a hearty lunch for two.

Variations

Customizing this recipe is easy, allowing you to adapt it to various dietary needs or flavor preferences without losing the core taste.

• Dairy-Free Option: Swap the sour cream for a coconut-based yogurt or cashew cream, and use a vegan cheddar style shred instead of traditional Mexican cheese to keep it entirely plant-based.
• Low-Carb Twist: Instead of frying corn tortillas, serve the shrimp and guacamole mixture inside large butter lettuce leaves or low-carb almond flour tortillas for a lighter meal.
• Spicy Kick: If you love heat, add diced jalapeños to the onion sauté or sprinkle cayenne pepper into the Old Bay seasoning mix for a fiery upgrade.
• Protein Swap: If you aren’t a fan of shellfish, this seasoning blend works wonderfully with diced white fish like cod or even small cubes of chicken breast.

Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes

Equipment You Need

• 2 Frying Pans: One skillet is needed for sautéing the shrimp mixture and a deeper one for frying the tortillas.
• 1 Mixing Bowl: You will need this to combine and mash your guacamole ingredients until smooth.
• 1 Cutting Board: Essential for safely chopping your onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and prepping the shrimp.
• Perforated Bowl or Colander: Used for washing the shrimp thoroughly under cold water before cooking.
• Paper Towels: Necessary for draining the excess oil from the fried tortilla shells to keep them crisp.

How to Make Kylie Jenner Shrimp Taco Recipe?

Prepare the Shrimp

Start by removing the heads and shells from your fresh shrimp, then rinse them thoroughly under cold water in a colander. Drain them well and chop them into bite-sized pieces, roughly one inch large.

Season the Seafood

Place your chopped shrimp into a clean bowl and sprinkle generously with Old Bay seasoning and onion powder to coat evenly. Stir the mixture well so the spices adhere to the meat and set it aside to marinate briefly.

Sauté the Veggies

Heat your olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat and toss in half of the chopped onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. Sauté these vegetables for about one to two minutes until they just start to soften and become fragrant.

Cook the Filling

Add your seasoned shrimp directly into the pan with the sautéed vegetables and mix everything together thoroughly. Cook for roughly 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turns opaque and bright orange.

Fry the Tortillas

Heat canola oil in a separate deep skillet for about a minute until it is shimmering and hot enough for frying. Place a corn tortilla into the hot oil for about 30 seconds until it becomes pliable and soft.

Shape the Shells

Using tongs, carefully fold the tortilla in half while it is still in the oil to create that classic taco shell shape. Fry each side until golden and crispy, flipping occasionally to ensure they cook evenly without burning.

Drain the Oil

Once the shells are crispy, remove them from the pan and place them immediately onto a plate lined with paper towels. This step is crucial to absorb any excess grease so your tacos remain crunchy rather than soggy.

Make the Guacamole

Combine the avocado flesh, shredded green onion, lime juice, onion powder, salt, and the remaining fresh onions and tomatoes in a bowl. Use a fork or hand grinder to mash everything together until you reach your desired creamy consistency.

Assemble the Tacos

Spoon a generous amount of the fresh guacamole, followed by the cooked shrimp mixture and a dollop of sour cream, into each shell. Arrange them neatly on a serving platter to prevent the filling from spilling out.

Garnish and Serve

Finish the tacos by sprinkling shredded Mexican cheese over the top and adding a pinch of fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately alongside a bowl of fresh salsa for dipping or spooning over the top.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

• In my experience, chilling the shrimp for 10 minutes after seasoning helps the flavors penetrate the meat better before it hits the hot pan.
• I always recommend warming your corn tortillas in a dry pan for 10 seconds before frying them; it helps prevent them from cracking when you fold them.
• Using a high smoke point oil like avocado oil instead of canola can give the tortilla shells a slightly cleaner, nuttier taste that pairs well with the shrimp.
• I found that adding a tiny squeeze of honey or agave to the shrimp mixture while it cooks helps caramelize the spices and balances the heat of the Old Bay.

How to Serve Kylie Jenner Shrimp Taco Recipe?

Presentation is key with these tacos, so arrange them on a wide platter with lime wedges tucked between them for squeezing. You can serve them alongside a crisp Mexican street corn salad (esquites) or a bowl of cilantro-lime rice to make it a full meal. For a fun beverage pairing, try a spicy margarita or a cold agua fresca like horchata or watermelon juice. Don’t forget to put out small bowls of extra salsa, hot sauce, and sour cream so guests can customize their heat levels.

Nutritional Information

Here is a quick breakdown of the nutritional content per serving to help you track your macros effectively.

• Calories: 113 kcal
• Protein: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fat: 6g

Make Ahead and Storage

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, gently warm the shrimp mixture in a skillet over low heat until heated through, avoiding the microwave to prevent rubbery shrimp. Recrisp the taco shells in an oven or toaster oven at 350°F for a few minutes before assembling.

Freezing

It is not recommended to freeze the assembled tacos or the guacamole, as the textures will be ruined upon thawing. However, you can freeze the cooked shrimp mixture in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Freshness Storage

Store the shrimp filling and the taco shells in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. The cooked shrimp will stay good for up to 3 days, while the shells are best eaten within 24 hours.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

You will quickly find yourself adding this dish to your regular rotation for these fantastic reasons.

• Incredible Speed: This recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, making it an absolute lifesaver for busy weeknights when you want something homemade but fast.
• Versatile Flavor: The neutral base of shrimp and corn tortillas allows you to experiment endlessly with different salsas, cheeses, and toppings to suit your mood.
• Dietary Adaptability: It is naturally pescatarian and can easily be modified to be gluten-free or dairy-free, making it a safe bet for feeding diverse groups.
• Restaurant Quality: The combination of fresh frying techniques and bold seasonings produces a texture and taste that rivals your favorite local taco truck.
• Crowd Pleaser: The familiar flavors of cheesy, savory tacos combined with the novelty of a celebrity recipe make this a fun and delicious dinner for guests.