Made with seasoned shrimp and a fresh cilantro lime slaw, this Shrimp Taco Recipe takes only 15 minutes from start to finish. It is a fast and flavorful taco recipe perfect for any night of the week.
From Classic Beef Tacos to Fish Tacos to Instant Pot Chicken Tacos, you, just like me, can't get enough taco recipes!
That is why I just know this Shrimp Taco Recipe is quickly going to become a new favorite taco recipe. They are light, bright, fresh, and easy to make!
Reasons to Love This Shrimp Taco Recipe
- Amazing Flavor & Texture. The shrimp is perfectly spiced, the slaw is bright and fresh, and the combination of flavors and texture is pure perfection.
- 15-Minute Dinner Recipe. Shrimp Tacos are so flavorful it is hard to believe these tacos come together in just 15 minutes.
- The Best Shrimp Tacos. These aren't just any shrimp tacos! Between the quick-prep, intense flavor, and creamy slaw, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal in 15 minutes. Now that is what I call weeknight (or any night) success!
Notes on Ingredients
- Shrimp: For this recipe, it is best to use shrimp that is peeled, deveined, and with tails removed. You can use fresh or frozen large or jumbo shrimp. Just be sure to defrost your shrimp fully before cooking.
- Seasoning: Instead of using taco seasoning for shrimp tacos, it is best to use a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper to give the shrimp layers of flavor. These dried spices along with lime zest pair beautifully with the shrimp.
- Fresh Limes: The zest and juice of fresh limes are used in this recipe. Both add flavor and brightness to the shrimp.
- Cilantro Lime Slaw: Made with shredded cabbage, lime juice, cilantro, and Greek yogurt, this creamy slaw pairs beautifully with the spicy shrimp. Feel free to use mayonnaise in place of the yogurt if desired.
- For Serving: Use homemade flour tortillas, corn tortillas, or your favorite store-bought tortillas for serving shrimp tacos. I also love adding sliced or mashed avocado and Sriracha to these tacos as well.
Recipe Modifications
- Gluten-free Shrimp Tacos: Use corn tortillas or gluten-free tortillas for serving.
- Dairy-Free Shrimp Tacos: Instead of using Greek yogurt in the cilantro lime slaw, simply dress the cabbage with lime juice, salt, and cilantro.
- Don't like cilantro? Serve these tacos with classic coleslaw, or omit the cilantro from this recipe.
- Control the Heat: Feel free to increase, decrease, or omit the cayenne pepper to control the level of spice level of the shrimp.
How to Make Shrimp Tacos
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the Cilantro Slaw. Prepare the cilantro lime slaw by mixing together yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, and kosher salt together. Add the cabbage and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve tacos.
- Season Shrimp. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels so that the seasoning will really adhere to the shrimp. Toss the shrimp with the dried seasonings and zest of the lime until well coated.
- Pan-Fry Shrimp. Cook the shrimp just until the shrimp is translucent, and the shrimp curls up into a c-shape. Do not overcook the shrimp, as overcooking will result in rubbery shrimp.
- Finish with Lime. Don't overlook tossing the cooked shrimp with fresh lime juice. It will make the flavors pop in your mouth.
- Assemble Shrimp Tacos. To assemble shrimp tacos, place the prepared slaw on top of warmed tortillas and then top with the shrimp. Add sliced avocados, hot sauce, and additional cilantro as desired.
Serving Suggestions
Pair Shrimp Tacos with your chips and salsa or one of the following side dishes.
- Homemade Guacamole: Delicious served on top of the tacos, or on the side with chips of course!
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice: The flavors in this rice are the perfect pairing to the cilantro lime slaw served on the tacos.
- Pineapple Mango Salsa: I absolutely love serving this fresh pineapple mango salsa with a side of chips. It pairs beautifully with both the shrimp and the slaw.
- Instant Pot Refried Beans: Nothing much better than a side of refried beans with tacos of any kind!
More Favorite Taco Recipes
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
- Buffalo Chicken Tacos
- Breakfast Tacos
- Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Cauliflower Tacos
If you tried this Shrimp Taco recipe, I would greatly appreciate it if you leave a comment and review below.
Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 pound jumbo shrimp peeled, deveined, and tails removed
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil divided
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 large lime zest and juice
For the Slaw
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro finely minced
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups shredded green or red cabbage
For the Tacos
- 6-8 small tortillas corn or flour
- 1 sliced avocado
- Cilantro
- Hot sauce
Instructions
For the Slaw
- Mix together the yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, and kosher salt together. Add the cabbage and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve tacos.
For the Shrimp Tacos
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl. Add ½ tablespoon olive oil, the zest of one lime, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and a pinch of cayenne. Toss to coat the shrimp in the seasonings.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the remaining ½ tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add in the seasoned shrimp and cook for 4-5 minutes flipping once halfway through. You want to cook just until the shrimp is pink and curled. Overcooking will result in rubbery shrimp.
- Remove the shrimp from the heat and toss with the juice of the lime.
- Heat the corn tortillas and then top with slaw, shrimp, sliced avocado, and a drizzle of hot sauce and minced cilantro. Serve immediately.
wilhelmina
I am obsessed with the tacos! The flavor is spectacular!
Kelly
I love these shrimp tacos, they turned out so good and flavorful. It's our new favorite for spring and summer!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing this, Kelly! Thank you for sharing!
Natasha
This is such a great shrimp tacos recipe! Truly a delightful and delicious.
Mel
This was such a unique and delicious recipe! Can't wait to make it again!
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you enjoy these tacos again and again!
Megan
Just made a batch of these shrimp tacos, and let me tell you, they're absolutely delicious! The shrimp combined with lime and spices was so good, while the slaw and avocado add the perfect finishing touch.
Kristen Chidsey
Love hearing this, Megan!
Debbie
Delicious! I just made them, they were so good I’m going to have them again tomorrow!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing you enjoyed these tacos so much! Thanks for sharing!
Betsy
I can do this! The flavors are delightful and the recipe is wonderfully easy! Love how easy this is! My kids love shrimp and are gaga over the shrimp tacos! Perfect dinner!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! I love that I helped you discover an EASY meal your family enjoyed!
Beth
Oh my goodness! These tacos are mine and my daughter's favorite way to eat shrimp! We can't wait to make this recipe again soon! Such a game changer!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing this will become a regular at your house Beth! Thanks for sharing.
Krystle
These turned out amazing, even better my local Taco truck. I'll be making again!
Kristen Chidsey
Now that is a compliment! Thank you so much!