Whenever I’m at the beach, I can feel my entire system reset. Our family’s schedule is cleared of most commitments, so the time allows us to downshift into a more relaxed state of mind. When we’re in Malibu, my favorite time of day is just before sunset, when everything’s dipped in golden light and you can find us gathered around the grill prepping ingredients from the farm stand, cold drink in hand. And this summer, our MVPs have been these grilled shrimp tacos with grapefruit-avocado salsa, also know as the best shrimp tacos on the planet. Call us obsessed.

Now, when I’m back in Austin, I’m committed to bringing that relaxed Cali vibe home. (Yes, even as I’m juggling the realities of a busy work schedule combined with carpooling our kids from one activity to another.) For me, the best way to lean into the summer spirit is to cook (and eat!) as many meals outside as possible. This shrimp taco recipe is the perfect excuse to enjoy an al fresco meal any night of the week. Let’s dive in—I’ll show you how easily they come together.

Ingredients for Grilled Shrimp Tacos

This is a short and sweet ingredient list—which I consider to be a baseline requirement for any great summer recipe. Here’s what to grab at the grocery:

• limes
• grapefruit
• honey
• garlic
• chili Powder
• mayo
• shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• cabbage
• corn Tortillas
• avocados
• cilantro
• jalapeños

How to Make the Best Shrimp Taco Recipe

Marinate the shrimp

The key to keeping this recipe simple is letting our ingredients do double duty. The marinade is also used as the base for the creamy sauce, and the grapefruit salsa uses several of the ingredients in the marinade. Because again—I like a short grocery list.

To make the marinade, you’ll whisk together the zest and juice from your citrus with honey, garlic, chili powder and olive oil. Then you place the shrimp in a bowl and pour half the marinade over it. You only want this shrimp to marinate for 30 minutes to an hour at most—longer than that, and you’ll risk starting to “cook” the shrimp in the citrus. (We’re not making ceviche here.)

Make the quick crema

This sauce plays a major role in giving this shrimp taco recipe tons of flavor. All you need for the creamy sauce is your reserved marinade that gets combined with either mayo or sour cream. You’ll toss a bit of it with our shredded cabbage for a five-second slaw, then reserve the rest to drizzle over the top of the finished tacos.

Toss together your salsa

I made grapefruit the star ingredient in this addictive salsa. It’s incredibly easy and takes these tacos to the next level. Simply toss together chunks of avocado and grapefruit, then add cilantro and adjust the jalapeño to add as much heat as you like. Double the recipe and serve it as an appetizer alongside tortilla chips.

How to cook shrimp for tacos

Trust me on this: the key to the most delicious shrimp is getting that char, which means that a quick cooking method is the way to go. I like to cook shrimp on high heat in a cast-iron skillet set over the grill grates. It allows you to get that quick sear, while also ensuring that your shrimp don’t fall through the grates.

Once you’ve placed the shrimp into the pan and heard that sizzle, resist the temptation to move or flip the shrimp until the first side is nice and caramelized.

Assemble your tacos

To serve, top a charred corn tortilla with some of your cabbage slaw, grapefruit salsa, and then the grilled shrimp. Garnish with cilantro and a drizzle of crema, and serve with lime wedges. Voila—the best shrimp tacos you’ve ever had.

Tips for Shrimp Taco Success

Change up the toppings

If you want to skip the salsa, just add slices of creamy avocado, bits of fresh cilantro and a few squeezes of fresh lime. Pico de gallo is always welcome!

Switch up the protein

You could turn these into fish tacos, using the same marinade, sauce, and salsa. Cod or halibut filets work great for this recipe.

Make it easy

I rely on a few key shortcuts when I make this shrimp taco recipe:

• Use a bag of pre-shredded cabbage.
• Buy raw shrimp that’s already peeled and deveined.
• Char the corn tortillas right on the grill, so you can keep all the cooking outdoors (with minimal clean-up!).

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July marks the middle of the year—a time when we’re reminded to reflect on all the past months have brought. It’s an opportunity to check in on our vision boards and intentions, making note of our progress and releasing what no longer resonates. Alongside this self-work, the sunshine seekers among us are out making the most of the longer days. We’re diving head-first into any body of water we can find and hiking our hearts out. When it comes to building a bucket list full of things to do in July, the month has so much fun and excitement in store.

31 Things to Do in July to Make Every Day Count

Some of us are beach bums, others are adventurers, and plenty of us simply enjoy a refreshing beverage poolside. Hiking, biking, and lazing about—however you choose to unwind, summer’s the season for it. And July’s the time to set the tone for the rest of the year to come.

So take this month day by day with the bucket list below. I have a feeling that by the time August comes around, we’ll all have long been riding our summertime groove.

July 1-8

1. Check in with your goals. We’re six months in and have six months left of 2024—there’s never a better time to reflect on the goals you set at the beginning of the year. What still resonates? Are there intentions you can let go of? Reframe and reset—and take this second half by storm.

2. Try a new hairstyle. Summer is a great time to experiment with new looks. Steal Camille’s secrets to perfect her breezy, beachy waves.

3. Cook a meal entirely outside. Even if you’re not a grill master, you can still cook a delicious dinner outside with picnic-friendly foods. If you can stand the heat and mosquitos long enough, set a pretty table and enjoy the al fresco vibes.

4. Celebrate the Fourth of July. Hit up your town’s parade, have friends over for a casual (but celebratory) meal, or spend the day on the lake. Kick back, relax, and enjoy your day off.

5. Commit to rest. Use the month of July to get in a good rest routine before the summer is over. Try taking naps, shoot for eight hours of sleep, and follow these tips for a good night’s snooze.

6. Invite friends over for a blind taste test. Y’all know we love a good blind taste test. We’ve tried everything from the best vanilla ice creams to pizza crusts to pancake mix. Now it’s your turn. Have some friends over, bake a few of your favorite sweets, and have everyone vote on their favorites. You can also do a blind taste test with something store-bought and something homemade to see if you can really taste a difference. 

7. Have an intentional date night. While we love putting on a show and having a cozy night in with our S.O., 2024 is all about experiencing more novelty. These questions are designed to help you switch up your conversations and learn more about your partner.

8. Plan your outdoor space. Camille’s Mediterranean-inspired landscaping has motivated us all to make our backyards and patios an outdoor haven. Make your Pinterest dreams come true with these backyard landscaping ideas full of tips to fit any space.

July 9-15

9. Re-start your favorite book. While I’m all about picking up the best new read, there’s nothing more comforting than rereading your favorite books. There’s no pressure to focus too hard, no big commitments to make—just pure pleasure. Whatever book you can picture yourself laying out on the beach with for hours without pause, that’s the one to read. Head to the library, a bookstore, or your Libby app and make it happen.

10. Go night swimming. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve family night swims at the lake. Take the leap (literally) and discover the joy of it yourself this July.

11. Get your steps in. During the pandemic, my daily walks during the workday were my saving grace. Now that I know the simple beauty of a couple of daily walks, I can’t get enough. Prioritize at least a stroll around your neighborhood. Who knows, when the weather’s nice, you’ll likely be tempted to keep going.

12. Plan a road trip. The best part about road trips is that they require little planning, especially if you’re only taking a day trip. You have no excuse not to! Follow these expert tips on taking the ultimate road trip.

14. Spruce up your garden (or start one). Gardening is a great way to spend some time in the sun. Plant something new if you already have a garden going, or finally start one if you haven’t yet. Camille’s building her green thumb and can’t get enough. Steal her gardening tips and get growing!

15. Go strawberry picking. Take advantage of strawberry season! There’s nothing better than getting up early, beating the crowds, and heading home with baskets of fresh fruit. And of course, you have to make a sweet strawberry treat with your pickings.

July 16-22

16. Go to an outdoor concert. Most cities and larger towns host outdoor music events throughout the summer. Do a little research and come out to support local bands. Don’t forget the snacks!

17. Stargaze. Go stargazing on vacation, while camping out, or in your backyard. Download a free app like SkyView Lite to identify all of the stars and constellations you find. Keep your eyes peeled for shooting stars, too.  

18. Read up on cycle syncing. I’ve only just started learning about cycle syncing and I’m already hooked. Dive into the what and the why of eating to support all phases of your cycle, cycle syncing workouts, and how to harness the power of cycle syncing for your skin.

19. Visit an aquarium. When the weather’s hot, I’m either in a lake or staying cool somewhere that has AC. In the latter case, a museum or an aquarium will always win out. If there isn’t one in your area, explore the deep sea with this scrollable illustration. It’s seriously addicting.

20. Have a picnic. Prep and pack your favorite picnic recipes, whip up a pitcher of iced tea, and find the perfect spot to set out your blanket. Is there any better way to spend a summer evening?

21. Celebrate National Ice Cream Day. What better way to cool down than with ice cream? Pick up a few pints of the best vanilla ice creams, try out one of these healthy ice cream recipes, or just grab a spoon and a bowl and celebrate by yourself. 

22. Attend a block party. Bring some food and stop by. There’s no better way to get to know your neighbors.

July 23-31

23. Clean out your closet. If you’re looking for productive things to do in July, try cleaning out your closet. You probably feel like you just finished spring cleaning, but now is the perfect time to sell or donate the summer clothes from last season you never ended up wearing. And you can always reorganize to make room for the upcoming summer sales. 

24. Take a family bike ride. My family just bought two electric bikes and I could not be more excited to go home and try them out. Pack a picnic and stop somewhere scenic for lunch along the way. (Yes, everything is just an excuse for a picnic.)

25. Make a seasonal bouquet. Whether you’re headed to Trader Joe’s or visit your favorite local florist, pick a few different blooms and craft an arrangement that’ll brighten up your home. Bonus points if you make an extra one to share with a friend.

26. Find a local farmer’s market and cook dinner with what you buy. Wondering what to do in July with all of summer’s finest foods? Check out our guide to what’s in season. Support local vendors by visiting your nearest farmer’s market and making a meal with what you find. 

27. Have a 90s movie marathon when it’s too hot outside. Let’s face it: even though summers should be spent outside, sometimes it’s just too hot. Invite your friends over or cozy up in bed and have a 90s movie marathon to escape the heat. 

28. Go wine tasting. It’s the ultimate Sunday girls’ day. Gather a few friends or invite other couples if you’d like to go with your partner. And if there are no wineries nearby, visit a wine bar or local brewery and keep your tasting close to home.

29. Go to a baseball game. Nothing screams summer quite like baseball and hot dogs. I just went to a Cubs game and while I wouldn’t call myself the biggest baseball fan, I had the best time getting outside and connecting with the energy of the game.

30. Get on the water. Grab a paddle board, take a surfing lesson, or head out on a boat. However, you enjoy the water, don’t be afraid to get your hair wet.

31. Reflect on the month and make new goals for August. Look back on all that this month brought into your life. Did you meet new people? Experience new opportunities? Learn new things? In your journal, write what went well and what you would have liked to happen differently this month. Then, take that positive energy and channel it into an amazing August ahead.

At Camille Styles, our love of delicious, nourishing food runs deep. In-person and on Slack, our conversations inevitably gravitate to what we’re currently cooking in our kitchens across the country. From our best taco recipes to soups when the cozy season calls for it to our enduring passion for sweet potatoes—food is endless fodder for conversation. And the dish that’s in constant rotation in my kitchen right now? Sara Forte’s blackened salmon recipe with tropical pico from her new cookbook, Around Our Table: Wholesome Recipes to Feed Your Family and Friends.

As the creator behind the healthy cooking site Sprouted Kitchen, Sara is an expert at making fresh, delicious dishes accessible to an ever-expanding audience. Her recipes pair creativity with honesty—acknowledging that as much as we’d wish otherwise, our time in the kitchen is limited. Sara understands food as a core tenet of the larger pursuit of wellness. And though that translates to nutrition, nourishment also takes into account what’s possible with the resources we have.

What’s more, food is also a means of connection. It’s the foundation for intimate moments spent in the company of family and friends. Sara’s latest cookbook, Around Our Table, creates space for this comprehensive understanding of food. It’s the sort of cookbook that evolves alongside of you. Instead of being steeped in shifting food trends, it serves as a guide for how food can support your life—no matter the season.

We sat down with Sara to talk about the intention behind her latest release. As she reflects, Sara’s passion for incorporating food into a full life is evident. Her recipes are on-the-fly friendly, bringing color and creativity to the table while keeping things simple and streamlined.

Blackened Salmon With Tropical Pico

“This is your salmon for a crowd,” Sara writes in her cookbook. Whereas other salmon recipes forgo flavor for simplicity, Sara leans on fresh, heavy-hitting ingredients to streamline the prep and deliver a delicious meal, every time.

We also love that this salmon—and its accompanying pico—can be served in endless ways. Sara tops fish tacos with the pico or adds a little heft to the salsa with avocado for a standout, standalone appetizer. (With crunchy, salty chips, of course.)

Serving tips for your salmon abound. She enjoys it best “[…] generously seasoned and served with some punchy pineapple pico and avocado.” (I.e., the exact recipe you’re getting below.) “I serve it with coconut rice, but it could just as easily be wrapped into a burrito or even served over greens. This dish makes for excellent lunch leftovers, so don’t overthink the suggested serving number.”

And contrary to popular belief, salmon isn’t a year-round dish. Sara notes that you’ll find the freshest fish between May and September. And while frozen fillets work in a pinch, she advises staying away from “thin, flimsy tail-end pieces.”

With those expert tips in mind, read on for Sara’s blackened salmon recipe with tropical pico. And be sure to pick up Around Our Table for more recipes to keep in your everyday arsenal.

Excerpted with permission from Around Our Table by Sara Forte published by Hardie Grant Publishing, April 2024, RRP $40.00 Hardcover.

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