The Best Old Bay Shrimp Burritos (with a Zesty Aioli!)

Hello, my friends, and get ready for a burrito that is going to completely rock your world! We’re taking a little trip to the coast and wrapping it all up in a warm tortilla. This incredible Old Bay Shrimp Burrito is a flavor-packed, satisfying, and wonderfully creative meal that is perfect for a fun weeknight dinner.

Imagine a warm flour tortilla, absolutely loaded with savory, Old Bay-seasoned shrimp, fluffy rice, black beans, crisp lettuce, fresh pico de gallo, and creamy avocado. But the real secret weapon, the thing that ties it all together, is a zesty, homemade Old Bay and Sriracha aioli that is drizzled inside. Every single bite is a perfect harmony of textures and savory, spicy, and creamy flavors. It’s a fun, hearty, and unbelievably delicious twist on a classic.

Why You’ll Be Absolutely Obsessed With These Burritos

This isn’t just a burrito; it’s an experience! Here’s why it’s so spectacular:

• Incredible Flavor Combination: The iconic, savory flavor of Old Bay seasoning on the shrimp paired with the creamy, spicy kick of the homemade aioli is a match made in heaven.
• Perfectly Loaded: This is a true “fully-loaded” burrito, packed with a wonderful variety of textures and fresh ingredients that make it a complete and satisfying meal.
• The Zesty Old Bay Aioli: This easy, homemade sauce is the star of the show! It’s creamy, tangy, a little spicy, and adds a huge burst of flavor to every bite.
• A Fun and Hearty Meal: This is a fantastic and creative way to shake up your usual taco or burrito night with a delicious seafood twist.

Gather Your Fresh & Flavorful Ingredients: What You’ll Need

This impressive burrito is broken down into three delicious components: the aioli, the shrimp filling, and the assembly.

For the Old Bay Aioli:

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 tsp. Sriracha
• 3/4 tsp. fresh lime juice
• 1/2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning

For the Shrimp Filling:

• 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 lb. small shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp. paprika
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For Assembling the Burritos:

• 4 large flour tortillas, warmed
• 1 cup cooked long-grain white rice
• 1 cup cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
• 3/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 cup pico de gallo, drained
• 1 avocado, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp. chopped chives

Crafting Your Old Bay Shrimp Burritos: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s build these layers of deliciousness. The process is quick and easy!

1. Make the Old Bay Aioli: First, let’s make the sauce so the flavors have a moment to meld. In a small bowl, simply whisk together the mayonnaise, Sriracha, lime juice, and Old Bay seasoning. Add about 1 teaspoon of water to thin it to a drizzling consistency. Give it a taste and season with a pinch of salt, if desired.
2. Cook the Shrimp Filling: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and sliced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are lightly golden and softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the shrimp, cumin, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring, until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and just cooked through, about 4 minutes.

1. Assemble Your Burritos: Now for the fun part! Lay a warm tortilla flat on a plate or cutting board. In the center, add a quarter of the rice (about 1/4 cup) and a quarter of the black beans.
2. Load it Up: Top the rice and beans with a quarter of the hot shrimp filling, a sprinkle of cheese, a handful of shredded lettuce, a spoonful of drained pico de gallo, and a few slices of avocado.
3. Sauce, Roll, and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped chives and drizzle generously with your homemade Old Bay aioli. Tightly roll up the burrito, tucking in the sides as you go. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and ingredients.

1. Slice and Enjoy: For the best presentation, slice each burrito in half on a diagonal. Serve immediately with any extra aioli on the side for dipping.

Wise Tips for the Best Shrimp Burritos

• Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook in a flash! The moment they turn pink and curl up, they’re done. Overcooked shrimp will be tough and rubbery.
• Warm Your Tortillas: Gently warming the flour tortillas in a dry skillet, the microwave, or directly over a gas flame makes them softer, more pliable, and much easier to roll without tearing.
• Don’t Overstuff: As tempting as it is, try not to overfill your burrito. This will make it difficult to roll and can cause it to burst.
• Drain Your Pico de Gallo: To avoid a soggy burrito, make sure to drain off any excess liquid from your pico de gallo before adding it to the tortilla.

Delicious Variations & Creative Twists

• Make it a Bowl: Not a fan of tortillas? Skip the rolling and serve all of the delicious components in a bowl over a bed of rice or lettuce for a fantastic burrito bowl.
• Add Some Corn: A spoonful of roasted or canned corn adds a lovely sweetness and texture.
• Switch the Cheese: Crumbled cotija cheese or a spicy pepper jack would also be delicious in place of the Mexican cheese blend.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Old Bay Shrimp Burritos

Can I make the components ahead of time?
Yes! This is great for a quick assembly. You can cook the rice and the shrimp filling, and make the aioli up to 2 days in advance. Store everything separately in the fridge. Just reheat the rice and shrimp filling before you assemble.

Can I use a different size of shrimp?
Small shrimp are ideal because they distribute evenly throughout the burrito. If you only have large shrimp, you can simply chop them into smaller, bite-sized pieces after cooking.

Is this recipe very spicy?
It has a mild, zesty heat from the Sriracha in the aioli. You can easily adjust the amount of Sriracha to make it more or less spicy to suit your taste.

Conclusion

These Old Bay Shrimp Burritos are a fun, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal that brings a little bit of coastal flair to your dinner table. It’s a hearty and delicious recipe that is sure to become a new favorite. Enjoy!