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Easy Shrimp and Avocado Tostadas

These easy Shrimp and Avocado Tostadas make the perfect snack or easy meal! Seasoned juicy shrimp, mashed avocado, and fresh veggies on top of crispy tortillas. You'll see how easy it is to make tostadas and I bet they'll become part of your weeknight dinner rotation.

Overhead image of tostada with shrimp and guacamole

What are tostadas?

Tostadas are toasted tortillas topped with anything your Mexican-food-loving heart desires. Think of it as an open-faced taco. Tostadas are delightfully crunchy, delicious, and SO easy to make, even easier than tacos because assembly is much easier.

Tostadas are made from corn tortillas that are fried until crunchy and delicious. Even if you think you prefer flour tortillas, give the crispy corn tostadas a try. They're kind of like a giant corn chip with toppings!

Disclaimer: I'm not claiming to be an expert in Mexican recipes, but I do claim to have eaten a LOT of Mexican food in authentic Mexican restaurants (including in Mexico).

Stack of tostada shells

Related recipe: Ground Pork Tacos

Quick weeknight shrimp tostadas

Since we're going for quick and easy, there is not much that cooks faster and easier than shrimp. These tostadas are topped with flavorful, taco-seasoned shrimp that are plump and juicy. They have just a hint of spice that goes perfectly with fresh mashed avocado (kind of like a faux-guacamole), creamy queso fresco, and whatever other toppings you like with your tacos (lots of ideas below!).

Shrimp and avocado tostadas with queso fresco

Ready to make these??

Ingredients

The ingredients list below is to make 4 tostadas, either as a meal for 2 people or a snack for 4, but obviously, you can double the ingredients if needed. And of course, I give you a list of other tostada toppings to try.

  • 4 crunchy tostada shells
  • 12-16 large or jumbo shrimp (about ¾ lb), peeled and tails removed
  • 1 teaspoon taco seasoning (Cajun seasoning or chili powder would work too!)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Hass avocado
  • Juice of ½ lime (about 1 tablespoon)
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small bell pepper, diced
  • 2 scallions, diced
  • 2 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco (or cojita or crumbled feta cheese)

Related recipe: Sous Vide Chicken Tacos

More tostada topping ideas

  • Diced red onion
  • Fresh or canned jalapeño slices
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Salsa
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Black beans or pinto beans
  • Corn (try charred corn!)
  • Refried beans (spread on the tostada instead of guacamole)
  • Store-bought guacamole
  • Fresh avocado slices
  • Radish slices
  • Mango salsa
  • Sour cream
  • Shredded cheese
  • Diced mango
  • Try hot honey shrimp instead of taco-seasoned shrimp

Related recipe: Guacamole Radish Cracker Bites

Instructions

Step 1: Season the shrimp with the taco seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large pan, and cook the shrimp about 2-3 minutes per side over high heat, or until fully cooked. Set aside.

Shrimp seasoned with taco seasoning in a pan

More Mexican-inspired recipes: Chicken Mole

Step 2: Mash the avocado in a small bowl and mix with the lime juice, and salt and pepper, to taste.

Smashed avocado in a bowl.

Related recipe: Taco Burgers

Step 3: To arrange the tostadas, spread ¼ of the mashed avocado onto each tostada. Top each tostada with 3 to 4 shrimp, and the rest of the toppings. Squeeze extra lime juice over the tostadas, if desired. Serve immediately.

Smashed avocado and shrimp tostadas with garnish

Related recipe: Mexican Lasagna Casserole

Recipe and serving tips

→ These tostadas are best when eaten immediately, otherwise the crunchy tortilla becomes soggy. If you don't plan on eating all 4, keep the toppings separate and assemble right before eating.

→ I highly recommend using FRESH SQUEEZED lime juice for these tostadas for the freshest flavor! I love this citrus squeezer for when I need to juice only ½ of a lime or lemon. 

Related recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know with a comment and a star rating below. And don't forget to share it on Facebook and save it on Pinterest for later!

Overhead image of shrimp tostada with peppers, tomatoes, avocado
Print Recipe
5 from 13 votes

Easy Shrimp and Avocado Tostadas

These EASY tostadas with shrimp, smashed avocado, fresh veggies, and cheese are the BEST snack, lunch, or light dinner idea. Ready in 10 minutes from scratch! This recipe makes only 4 tostadas, and each person can easily eat 2-3 tostadas for dinner, so make sure to double the recipe, if needed. Be sure to check out the notes below the recipe for more tostada topping ideas!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Lunch, Snack
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Servings: 4 tostadas
Author: Kate

Ingredients

  • 4 crunchy tostada shells
  • ¾ lb shrimp - large or jumbo, peeled and tails removed
  • 1 teaspoon taco seasoning - (Cajun seasoning or chili powder + salt would work too!)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Hass avocado
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice - (from ½ lime)
  • salt & pepper - to taste
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes - halved
  • 1 small bell pepper - diced
  • 2 scallions - diced
  • 2 tablespoons cojita cheese - (or queso fresco or feta)

Instructions

  • Season the shrimp with the taco seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large pan, and cook the shrimp about 2-3 minutes per side over high heat, or until fully cooked. Set aside.
  • Mash the avocado in a small bowl and mix with the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper, to taste
     
  • To arrange the tostadas, spread ¼ of the avocado mixture onto each tostada Top each tostada with 3-4 cooked shrimp, halved tomatoes, diced bell peppers, diced scallions, and cheese. Squeeze extra lime juice over the tostadas, if you like. Serve immediately.

Notes

→ These are best eaten fresh. If you are not going to eat all 4 right away, just prep all the ingredients and keep them refrigerated (except for the tostada shells). Assemble the rest of the tostadas right when you're ready to eat.
→ Other tostada toppings to try: diced red onion, fresh cilantro leaves, shredded cheese, sliced fresh or canned jalapeño, diced radishes, salsa, mango salsa, diced mango, black beans or pinto beans, corn, shredded lettuce, sour cream, refried beans (spread on the tostada instead of smashed avocado).

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcal (14%) | Carbohydrates: 6g (2%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 10g (15%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (5%) | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 348mg (10%) | Fiber: 3g (12%) | Sugar: 1g (1%) | Vitamin A: 445IU (9%) | Vitamin C: 11.2mg (14%) | Calcium: 14mg (1%) | Iron: 0.5mg (3%)

The nutritional information displayed is an estimate and not to be used as dietary or nutritional advice. Consult a nutritionist or dietician for nutritional info based on the exact ingredients you use.

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