Cajun Shrimp Taco Bowls (Printable Version)

A vibrant bowl with spicy shrimp, fluffy rice, crisp veggies, and creamy avocado for a flavorful meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 ½ tsp Cajun seasoning
04 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
05 - ¼ tsp salt
06 - ¼ tsp black pepper
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced

→ Rice

08 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
09 - 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
10 - ½ tsp salt

→ Vegetable Toppings

11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh, frozen, or drained canned
13 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
14 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
15 - 1 avocado, sliced
16 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Sauce

17 - ⅓ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
18 - 1 tbsp lime juice
19 - ½ tsp hot sauce (optional)
20 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ For Serving

21 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Combine rice, water or broth, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
02 - Whisk together sour cream or Greek yogurt, lime juice, hot sauce (if using), and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
03 - Pat shrimp dry. Toss with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and minced garlic until evenly coated.
04 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Cook shrimp 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
05 - While shrimp cooks, prepare cherry tomatoes, corn, red onion, lettuce, avocado, and cilantro.
06 - Divide rice among four bowls. Top with shrimp, vegetables, avocado slices, and cilantro. Drizzle with creamy lime sauce and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in about 35 minutes, which means you can have dinner on the table before you've finished scrolling through your phone.
  • The heat from the Cajun shrimp plays perfectly against cool, creamy avocado and tangy lime—each bite feels balanced and intentional.
  • You can prep everything while the rice simmers, so there's no stressful juggling of pans at the last moment.
02 -
  • Wet shrimp won't sear properly—they'll steam instead, and you'll miss that delicate caramelized edge that makes them taste restaurant-quality. Always pat them dry.
  • The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated, but don't assemble the bowls until you're ready to eat; avocado browns and vegetables start to soften the longer everything sits together.
  • Cajun seasoning is salty, so taste your shrimp as you season rather than going full measure right away—you can always add more, but you can't take it back.
03 -
  • If you're cooking for a crowd and want to make this ahead, prep everything separately and set up a little assembly line—people love building their own bowls anyway.
  • A squeeze of lime juice over the hot rice before you top it actually seasons it beautifully and adds brightness from the inside out.
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