Jamaican Beef Patties are filled with spicy beef, seasoned with paprika and allspice and wrapped in a buttery, yellow crust flavored with turmeric.
Jamaican Beef Patties
Jamaican Beef Patties have a unique flavor that you won’t find in any other cuisine in the world with turmeric to give it that Caribbean color. I used to buy beef patties in a little Jamaican spot when I was a college student on a budget. They reminded me of empanadas, only a lot spicier! When I went to Jamaica, I made it a point to try them every chance I could.
I’m beyond thrilled to give you a sneak peak of my fifth cookbook, Skinnytaste Meal Prep: Healthy Make-Ahead Meals and Freezer Recipes to Simplify Your Life: A Cookbook.
Skinnytaste Meal Prep Cookbook
It’s finally available for pre-order! This has been the most challenging time to write, photograph and print a cookbook, so I’m beyond excited to finally share my new baby! Skinnytaste Meal Prep hits book stores and ships out Sept 15th! But you can pre-order now and be one of the first to get your copy.
Just like we do at the start of every new season, we’ve got some new workout tracks for you. And, usually we pick the most high-energy songs we can. You know, to get pumped up and get moving. But right now … with all the things going on … well, we wanted to also share some new tracks that are a little more calming and healing — along with a few playlists that will help energize you daily to do the work that is so desperately needed to change our world. (Not sure where to start? Read this post for…
Raise your hands if you’re hungry for some Whole30-friendly Paleo Shrimp Tacos! This quick and healthy weeknight supper is a cinch to throw together!
Tired of Ground Beef Tacos?
When I was little, I somehow got the idea that all tacos consisted of ground beef served in crispy, fried taco shells. As a suburban child of the ’70s and ’80s, I naturally assumed that all tacos looked just like the crunchy variety from Taco Bell. (Believe it or not, Taco Bell didn’t introduce soft tacos until 1987, when I was already a teenager.) When my Aunt Elaine would make tacos at home, she went even further: She’d stuff seasoned ground meat into soft corn tortillas, and then seal ’em tight and DEEP FRY THE WHOLE THING. (They were delicious, by the way.) To me, tacos = fried corn shells and meat.
It wasn’t until I was in high school that a friend took me to an authentic Mexican taqueria, where I saw—and tasted—the incredible variety of tacos available. There weren’t just “ground beef tacos” on the menu; you could choose from carne asada, cabeza, and lengua. And beef wasn’t the only option, either. There was tinga de pollo, carnitas, and even camarones—SHRIMP!
Healthy Weeknight Shrimp Tacos!
Over the years, shrimp tacos have become a favorite in our family. We make ’em whenever we crave the bright, fresh combination of shrimp, lime, and avocado (which is, admittedly, all the time). These shrimp tacos are Paleo, Keto, and Whole30-friendly, too) because we substitute butter lettuce leaves for the tortillas—but to be honest, with these tacos, we never miss the tortillas anyway. Soft or crispy, the tortillas would just mask the brilliant, zesty flavors of these Paleo Shrimp Tacos.
How to cook them on a grill
Although I usually cook these shrimp tacos on a sheet pan in the oven, I prefer to throw them on the grill in the summertime!
On a Traeger Grill
If you’ve got a Traeger grill, you can use it like an outdoor oven and throw the sheet pan of marinated shrimp in it. I’ve learned through some trial and error that my oven recipes can cook in a Traeger, but you need to increase the temperature by about 25°F (i.e. for this recipe, cook in the Traeger at 425°F for 6 to 8 minutes or until just cooked through). For those of you wondering, I own and highly recommend this Traeger model.
On a Gas Grill
Got a gas grill? Soak some bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes. Grab a skewer and thread about 6 to 8 shrimp on it. Repeat the process until all the shrimp are skewered.
Crank the burners on the gas grill to high, cover, and heat until super hot. Then, scrape the grates clean and oil with avocado oil. Place the skewers on the grill and cook covered for 3 to 4 minutes, before flipping and cooking for 2 to 3 more minutes or until pink and just cooked through.
Air Fryer Cooking Instructions
Yes, you can cook the shrimp in an air fryer! Heat the air fryer to 400°F and place the shrimp in a single layer in the cooking basket. Air-fry for 5 to 7 minutes or until pink and just cooked through. You may need to cook the shrimp in batches if the basket is small.
All of my recommended kitchen tools are listed here.
Method:
In a bowl, stir together the oil, oregano, garlic, and lime zest.
Toss in the shrimp.
Mix well, making sure that the shrimp is evenly covered. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. (No time to marinate the shrimp? It’ll still taste good!)
Combine the diced white onion and minced cilantro in a small bowl, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Next, make the Avocado Crema. (Psst! This is the same Avocado Crema that I make for my Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas!) Cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the seed. Scoop the flesh into a food processor or blender. Add the coconut milk, cilantro, chives, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
Blitz until smooth. Add some water to thin out the sauce if desired.Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed with salt, pepper, or more lime juice. You can refrigerate the crema in a container for up to 2 days.
When you’re ready to cook the shrimp, set the oven to 400°F with the rack in the middle position. Toss the shrimp with the salt and black pepper. Then, arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Pop it in the oven.
Roast for 6 to 8 minutes or until the shrimp is cooked through.
Arrange the shrimp on lettuce leaves (a.k.a. nature’s tortillas!) and top with the diced onion and cilantro mixture and lime wedges. Drizzle or squirt avocado crema on the tacos.
Ta-da! Paleo Shrimp Tacos—and they’re perfect for your Whole30, too!
[Originally posted on January 15, 2018. Updated with new details and photos on June 15, 2020.]
In a bowl, stir together the oil, oregano, garlic, and lime zest. Toss in the shrimp.
Mix well, making sure that the shrimp is evenly covered. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. (No time to marinate the shrimp? It’ll still taste good!)
Combine the diced white onion and minced cilantro in a small bowl, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Next, make the Avocado Crema. (Psst! This is the same Avocado Crema that I make for my Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas!) Cut the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the seed. Scoop the flesh into a food processor or blender. Add the coconut milk, cilantro, chives, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
Blitz until smooth. Add some water to thin out the sauce if desired.Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed with salt, pepper, or more lime juice. You can refrigerate the crema in a container for up to 2 days.
When you’re ready to cook the shrimp, set the oven to 400°F with the rack in the middle position. Toss the shrimp with the salt and black pepper. Then, arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Pop it in the oven. Roast for 6 to 8 minutes or until the shrimp is cooked through.
Arrange the shrimp on lettuce leaves (a.k.a. nature’s tortillas!) and top with the diced onion and cilantro mixture and lime wedges. Drizzle or squirt avocado crema on the tacos.
Notes
How To Cook On A Traeger Grill
If you’ve got a Traeger grill, you can use it like an outdoor oven and throw the sheet pan of marinated shrimp in it. I’ve learned through some trial and error that my oven recipes can cook in a Traeger, but you need to increase the temperature by about 25°F (i.e. for this recipe, cook in the Traeger at 425°F for 6 to 8 minutes or until just cooked through).
How To Cook On A Gas Grill
Got a gas grill? Soak some bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes. Grab a skewer and thread about 6 to 8 shrimp on it. Repeat the process until all the shrimp are skewered.
Crank the burners on the gas grill to high, cover, and heat until super hot. Then, scrape the grates clean and oil with avocado oil. Place the skewers on the grill and cook covered for 3 to 4 minutes, before flipping and cooking for 2 to 3 more minutes or until pink and just cooked through.
Air Fryer Cooking Instructions
Heat the air fryer to 400°F and place the shrimp in a single layer in the cooking basket. Air-fry for 5 to 7 minutes or until pink and just cooked through. You may need to cook the shrimp in batches if the basket is small.
This lighter version of Macaroni Salad with tomatoes and black olives is the perfect side dish for any summer BBQ.
Macaroni Salad with Tomatoes
When the weather starts to warm up, you can find me outside, taking advantage of the sunshine. I especially love a good outdoor summer BBQ, and this creamy Macaroni Salad with Tomatoes is perfect for the occasion. It’ll definitely be a hit. Some other delicious macaroni salads that you should try are this Summer Macaroni Salad with Tomatoes and Zucchini, BLT Macaroni Salad, and Mayo-less Tuna Macaroni Salad.
I want to wish all the dads out there a happy father’s day! Whether you are a biological dad, step-dad, adopted dad or any other type of dad, I hope you know how important you are and I hope you take time to celebrate your day! Need some great “dad approved” meals? Check out my Father’s Day recipes or some other favorites like Stuffed Bagel Balls (one of Tommy’s favorites for breakfast), Grilled Lobster Tails with Herb Garlic Butter (yum!) or Steak Kebabs with Chimichurri. Does your “dad” have a favorite Skinnytaste meal? Share and let me know which ones!
