There are some dinners that feel like a little celebration, even when it’s just a weeknight at home. For me, these Old Bay Shrimp Burritos fall squarely into that category. They’re bold, messy in the best way, and full of textures—juicy shrimp, creamy avocado, beans, rice, and a drizzle of Old Bay aioli to pull it all together.
The first time I made these, I didn’t even worry about rolling the burritos perfectly. I just piled everything into a tortilla, folded what I could, and ate it standing at the counter. By the second bite, I knew this recipe was going to be a keeper.
Why I Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
Shrimp is quick to cook, and Old Bay seasoning does all the heavy lifting for flavor. It’s salty, a little smoky, with just enough spice to keep things interesting. Pair that with burrito fillings like black beans, rice, and avocado, and you’ve got a meal that’s hearty without being heavy.
I love these burritos on busy nights when I want something that feels fun but doesn’t keep me in the kitchen for hours. They remind me of food truck dinners—messy, flavorful, and best eaten with a cold drink nearby.
A Few Ingredient Notes
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Shrimp: I buy large raw shrimp, peel and devein them, and season generously with Old Bay. Frozen shrimp works fine too—just thaw and pat dry first so they sear instead of steam.
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Rice & Beans: I like jasmine rice for its fragrance, but any cooked rice works. Black beans add creaminess and protein, and I usually season them with lime and a pinch of cumin.
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Avocado: Ripe but not mushy. It adds that buttery contrast to the seasoned shrimp.
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Old Bay Aioli: This sauce ties it all together. A mix of mayo, lemon juice, garlic, and Old Bay—it’s good enough that I keep leftovers in the fridge for dipping fries.
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Tortillas: Burrito-sized flour tortillas make wrapping easier, but if rolling stresses you out, just make tacos or bowls. The flavor doesn’t suffer one bit.
Cooking Tips That Help Me Every Time
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Dry the shrimp well before seasoning. Any extra moisture makes them rubbery instead of golden and juicy.
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Warm your tortillas. I quickly heat mine in a dry skillet or over a gas flame for a few seconds—this keeps them flexible and less likely to tear.
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Don’t overfill. I know it’s tempting, but a stuffed burrito is harder to roll and ends up falling apart. I use about ½ cup rice, ¼ cup beans, 4–5 shrimp, and a few avocado slices per tortilla.
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Practice the fold. Fold in the sides first, then roll from the bottom up, tucking as you go. Even if it’s not perfect, it’ll taste amazing.
Make Ahead Tips
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Rice and beans can be cooked earlier in the day or the night before. Just reheat before assembling.
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Shrimp should be cooked fresh for the best texture, but you can season them ahead and keep in the fridge until you’re ready to sauté.
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Old Bay aioli actually tastes better made in advance—the flavors meld nicely after a few hours.
How I Like to Serve Them
I love setting up burrito night like a little DIY bar. Tortillas in a warmer, shrimp sizzling on the stove, toppings spread out on the counter. Everyone builds their own, and it feels casual and fun.
For sides, tortilla chips with salsa or guacamole are an easy win. If I’m feeding a bigger crowd, I’ll throw together a corn salad or a simple slaw. And yes, these burritos go perfectly with a cold beer or a sparkling lime soda.
Storing Leftovers
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Shrimp: Keep cooked shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet—don’t microwave, or they’ll toughen up.
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Burritos: If you’ve already rolled them, wrap tightly in foil and store in the fridge for a day. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm.
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Aioli: Stays good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
FAQs
Can I make these burritos with chicken instead of shrimp?
Absolutely. Dice chicken breast or thighs, season with Old Bay, and cook the same way.
What if I don’t like mayo for the aioli?
You can swap in Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version.
How spicy are these?
Old Bay has more flavor than heat, so these are pretty mild. Add hot sauce or extra cayenne if you want more kick.
Can I freeze the burritos?
I wouldn’t recommend freezing shrimp burritos. The shrimp lose their texture when reheated. Instead, prep the rice and beans ahead and cook the shrimp fresh.
What’s the best tortilla size for these?
Large burrito tortillas (10-inch) work best, but if you only have smaller ones, just make tacos instead.
Old Bay Shrimp Burritos
These Old Bay Shrimp Burritos are bold, flavorful, and loaded with fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- Shrimp – 1 lb, peeled and deveined
- Olive oil – 2 teaspoons
- Onion – ½ small, finely chopped
- Green bell pepper – 1, diced
- Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
- Old Bay seasoning – 2 teaspoons
For the Aioli
- Light mayonnaise – ⅓ cup
- Sriracha – 1 ½ teaspoons
- Lime juice – 1 teaspoon, fresh
- Old Bay seasoning – 1 teaspoon
For the Burritos
- Flour tortillas – 5, burrito-sized, warmed
- Cooked brown rice – 1 cup
- Black beans – 1 cup, rinsed and drained
- Shredded Mexican blend cheese – ½ cup
- Shredded lettuce – 1 cup
- Pico de gallo – ½ cup, drained
- Avocado – 1, thinly sliced
- Chives – 2 tablespoons, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, cooking until slightly softened, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the shrimp to the pan and season with Old Bay. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sriracha, lime juice, and Old Bay, thinning with a little water if needed until smooth and creamy.
- To assemble, lay out the warm tortillas. Add rice and beans down the center of each, then layer with shrimp, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, and avocado. Sprinkle with chives and drizzle with the aioli.
- Fold the tortillas by tucking in the sides, then roll tightly into burritos. Slice in half if desired and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield
5Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 844Total Fat 34gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 20gCholesterol 234mgSodium 2657mgCarbohydrates 91gFiber 17gSugar 8gProtein 47g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thought
Old Bay Shrimp Burritos are the kind of meal that makes me happy every time I cook them. They’re colorful, flavorful, and adaptable—just as good rolled into a burrito as they are deconstructed in a bowl.
Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, these burritos bring a little food-truck energy into your kitchen. Messy, satisfying, and always worth it.
