Shrimp Tacos

Why you’ll love it

I am really excited about this 30-minute shrimp taco recipe! The plump shrimp are perfectly seasoned with a quick homemade taco seasoning blend made with pantry staples. These bad boys are really simple to whip up on a busy evening since shrimp cook so quicky.

The creamy slaw is the best zesty complement to the shrimp. There’s bright lime, cooling and creamy mayo and sour cream, crunchy cabbage and red onions, and a little kick from the jalapeño. Round out these shrimp tacos with avocado, and it’s a great family meal.

What you’ll need

For the shrimp

• Shrimp – I always buy uncooked frozen shrimp as they cook super quickly, and already cooked shrimp can get rubbery really fast
• Olive oil – for pan frying
• Taco seasoning – my simple mix has chili powder (most varieties are typically mild), smoked paprika, garlic powder, and ground cumin

For the slaw

• Mayo and sour cream – for the creamy base
• Lime juice – it adds a touch of acidity and brightness
• Salt – it’s important to bring out the flavors
• Cabbage – or use coleslaw mix for convenience
• Red onions – these mild onions add even more crunch
• Jalapeño – to give a little heat
• Cilantro – this fresh herb is a favorite in Mexican cuisine

For serving

• Tortillas – I always go for corn tortillas, but use flour tortillas if you prefer
• Avocado and lime wedges – classic fresh taco toppings!

How to make shrimp tacos

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

Prep/thaw the shrimp. In a prep bowl, add the dressing ingredients for the slaw and combine until smooth. Add in the cabbage, red onion, jalapeños, and cilantro. Toss, give it a taste, and make any adjustments.

In a skillet, add the oil and shrimp, and sprinkle the homemade taco seasoning on them. Cook until they’re pink and cooked through. Assemble the tacos with the slaw, shrimp, avocado, and garnish with a squeeze of lime!

Substitutions and variations

• The slaw is not particularly spicy, even with the jalapeno pepper, but you can skip it if needed. If you want the tacos to have some more kick, add in 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the shrimp spice mix and/or add some sriracha sauce to the slaw or drizzled on top of the tacos.
• If you don’t want to make the suggested slaw, try my Chipotle Ranch Dressing or even my Fish Taco Sauce.
• This taco recipe is flexible, so if you’re not a fan of any particular component or want to change up the shrimp seasoning, don’t worry about altering it. It’s hard to go wrong with tacos!