Enjoy spicy shrimp tacos paired with a creamy, crunchy slaw – it’s a flavor explosion! Ready fast, you’ll love this fresh and vibrant easy weeknight dinner.
Some of my most popular recipes on the blog are taco recipes…
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos for busy days
- Spicy Salmon Tacos for fish lovers
- Slow Cooker Carnitas for that authentic Tex-Mex meal
- Black Bean and Corn Salsa Tacos for a meatless meal
- Even Ground Beef Taco Meat, which you can stretch with hidden vegetables to help you make the most of every grocery dollar
I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of shrimp tacos sooner, but after a few test batches, they’ve quickly become one of my favorite taco meals!
BEST SHRIMP TACOS RECIPE
One huge plus to making spicy shrimp tacos is that shrimp thaws REALLY fast. If you have a busy weekday and forget to pull something out for dinner to thaw, shrimp is your best friend.
Plus, shrimp is different. As much as we love chicken tacos and beef tacos and pork tacos, sometimes it all feels redundant…like we’re in a bit of a same ol’ same ol’ rut with our protein choices.
That’s where shrimp comes into play.
- A spicy shrimp tacos recipe topped with a creamy slaw?
- Dinner ready in under 30 minutes? (I’ve even made it in less than 15 minutes with a package of pre-shredded coleslaw mix!)
- A flavor-packed meal with minimal ingredients that tastes better than take-out?!
Yes, please!
SPICY SHRIMP TACO RECIPES INGREDIENTS
One of the reasons I love this best taco recipe is that the ingredient list is super short – a whopping 4 ingredients:
- Shrimp. I like medium shrimp for shrimp tacos because they’re small enough to fit into one bite but big enough to not disappear among the fun taco toppings. You want your shrimp to be peeled and deveined.
- Taco Seasoning. Homemade Taco Seasoning is MUCH more flavorful than store-bought taco seasoning (in my opinion), and it calls for spices you likely already have, like cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. If you only have store-bought, that will work.
- Ancho Chili Powder. Don’t skip this. It might not be a spice you typically keep on hand, but it’s 100% worth buying because it really gives that kick to make these the best shrimp tacos!
- Butter. For cooking the shrimp. You can use coconut oil or a nonstick pan, too. (Skip the olive oil, it’s a little strong in flavor for shrimp taco recipes.)
SHRIMP FOR SHRIMP TACOS VS. PRAWN TACOS
Both shrimp tacos and prawn tacos are AMAZING – and you can use shrimp and prawns interchangeably in shrimp taco recipes.
Prawns are generally bigger and will require some prep beforehand (you can get shrimp de-shelled and de-veined, but you’ll likely have to peel and devein prawns yourself). Just plan your time accordingly!
You can use frozen shrimp for shrimp tacos. However, you’ll want to thaw it before cooking. Luckily, shrimp thaw fast in cool water.
HOW TO MAKE EASY SHRIMP AND COLESLAW TACOS
Have all of your taco stuff – tortillas, toppings, and sides – ready before you make this shrimp and coleslaw tacos recipe. Shrimp cooks VERY fast!
Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp and the seasonings. Mix well.
Step 2: Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
Step 3: Cook seasoned shrimp in the melted butter until they begin to curl, are pink, and are no longer translucent – about 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp over to finish cooking on the other side for about 1-3 minutes, until they are plump and juicy. Don’t overcook the shrimp or they will be rubbery! Remove to a serving dish when they’re done.
CREAMY COLESLAW FOR SPICY SHRIMP TACOS
The creamy coleslaw that goes on top of these spicy shrimp tacos is so good that I gave it its own home on the internet right here. But here’s the quick version:
Step 1. Mix up some plain Greek Yogurt, Mayo, fresh lime juice, and garlic powder in a bowl.
Step 2. Add super thinly shredded cabbage (or a bag of coleslaw mix MINUS the dressing) and toss really well.
Step 3. Add julienned carrot (if you’re feeling fancy), season with salt and pepper, and taste. Add more lime juice if it needs zing, a pinch of salt if it’s boring, and yogurt if it’s not creamy enough. (I do recommend a 50/50 split of yogurt and mayo since mayo adds some of that undertone savory vibe.)
Step 4. Set aside the cabbage slaw until ready to serve to let the flavors meld.
Psst! If you’re going to add salt, I highly recommend Ava Jane’s Kitchen. You may think all salt is created equal, but unfortunately, 90% of the salt produced around the world contains microplastics (gross, right?). Ava Jane’s Kitchen is an exception. Their salt is 100% microplastic-free, and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!)
SHRIMP TACOS WITH SAUCE AND OTHER VARIATIONS
In my opinion, the best shrimp tacos are topped with an amazing creamy slaw. Here are some other fun variations, too, to switch up shrimp taco night:
- Shrimp. Experiment with different sizes of shrimp to see which you like best (jumbo, large, medium, small, salad shrimp, etc.), and keep in mind that smaller shrimp will cook faster. Remove the tails before cooking.
- Vehicle. Make bowls with rice, salads with lettuce, or slightly char your tortillas on an open flame (YUM!). Homemade Corn Tortillas are our favorite, or try Flour Tortillas or crunchy taco shells.
- Salsas. Try Traditional Red Salsa, mild Salsa Verde, Mango Salsa, peach salsa, or pico de gallo
- Taco Sauce. Lime Crema is my go-to for taco nights, but try sour cream, Greek Yogurt, Ranch Dressing, or even a creamy avocado dressing or Hot Sauce. There are lots of drizzle options for shrimp tacos with sauce!
- Cheese. Cotija cheese is traditional, but a Tex-Mex blend or pepper jack shredded cheese would also be delicious.
- Flair. Ingredients like Quick Pickled Red Onions, chopped cilantro, diced tomato, diced avocado, and sliced jalapeno sprinkled on top really kick the tacos up a notch. A squeeze of fresh lime wedges gives an extra bit of citrusy brightness to the shrimp tacos, too!
MACRO-FRIENDLY SHRIMP TACOS
Tacos are one of my favorite meals to eat, not only because of the flavor, but also because they’re so versatile when I’m tracking my macros. I can make taco night fit with whatever I need!
Need more protein? Add more meat or beans directly to your tacos or on the side.
What about fat? Sour cream, cheese, and avocado will all add healthy fats to your plate. On the flip side, if you need a lower-fat meal, salsas and seasoned vegetables provide plenty of flavor, so you won’t be missing out if you need to skip the higher-fat condiments!
Watching your carbs? Enjoy corn tortillas (or flour tortillas, or rice) in moderation, and fill your plate with protein and plenty of fresh veggies. Pile your favorite taco toppings on a big pile of shredded lettuce for a yummy taco salad.
SHRIMP TACOS AND SLAW RECIPE FAQS
What’s good with shrimp tacos?
My favorite side dishes for shrimp tacos are Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice, Spanish Rice, Tortilla Chips with Creamy Guacamole, and Crock Pot Refried Beans.
How to make shrimp soft?
The key to soft shrimp is not to overcook them. You want to pull them when they’re pink and no longer translucent. Shrimp may or may not curl when you cook them, so don’t use that as a reliable test for doneness!
What to serve with fish tacos?
I always serve Creamy Coleslaw with Fish Tacos and shrimp tacos. The cool creamy sauce complements the spicy shrimp so well!
How do I store leftover shrimp tacos and slaw?
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes! However, you will want to thaw frozen shrimp before cooking this easy shrimp tacos recipe. The best way to do this if you are short on time is to place the shrimp in a colander and run cool water over them. Toss occasionally until thawed.
MORE TASTY WEEKNIGHT DINNER RECIPES
- Enchilada Casserole
- Blackened Salmon
- Spicy Salmon Tacos with Slaw
- Beef Tamale Pie
- Chicken Jalapeno Popper Casserole
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Enjoy spicy shrimp tacos paired with a creamy, crunchy slaw – it’s a flavor explosion! Ready fast, you’ll love this fresh and vibrant easy weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 tacos 1x
- Category: Main Meals
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Shrimp Tacos
- 1 lb raw medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (454g)
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning (see notes) (14g)
- ½ tsp ancho chili powder (1.5g)
- 1 Tbsp butter (14g)
Creamy Coleslaw (optional)
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (or ½ bag of coleslaw mix) (180g)
- 1 small carrot, shredded (optional) (50g)
- 1 Tbsp Greek yogurt (15g)
- 1 Tbsp mayo (homemade is best!) (15g)
- ½ Tbsp lime juice (8g)
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (0.5g)
- ¼ tsp salt (1.5g)
- ¼ tsp pepper (0.7g)
Instructions
Shrimp Tacos
- In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp and the seasonings. Mix well.
- Melt butter in a heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the shrimp in the melted butter until they begin to curl, are pink, and are no longer translucent – about 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp over to finish cooking on the other side for about 1-3 minutes. Don’t overcook the shrimp or they will be rubbery! Remove to a serving dish when they’re done.
Creamy Coleslaw (optional)
-
- Mix up Greek Yogurt, Mayo, fresh lime juice, and garlic powder in a bowl.
- Add super thinly sliced cabbage and toss really well.
- Add julienned carrot (if you’re feeling fancy), season with salt and pepper, and taste. Add more lime juice if it needs zing, salt if it’s boring, and yogurt if it’s not creamy enough. (I do recommend a 50/50 split of yogurt and mayo, since mayo adds some of that undertone savory vibe.)
- Set aside your cabbage slaw until ready to serve to let the flavors meld.
Notes
- Taco Seasoning. Homemade Taco Seasoning is MUCH more flavorful than store-bought taco seasoning (in my opinion), and it calls for spices you likely already have. If you only have store-bought, that will work.
- Shrimp. Experiment with different sizes of shrimp to see which you like best (jumbo, large, medium, small, salad shrimp, etc.)
- Nutrition info below is calculated for the shrimp filling only.
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