Shrimp Tacos

Name: Shrimp Tacos
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined, preferably large); 2 to 3 tbsp taco seasoning; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 cups cole slaw mix; ½ jalapeno (with seeds and membranes removed); 1 cup cilantro; 1 clove garlic; ½ lime (juiced); 1 tsp honey; 3 tbsp olive oil; 3/4 cup Greek Yogurt; ½ tsp salt; 8 corn tortillas; 1 cup grated Cotija cheese; lime wedges (for squeezing); 1 large avocado (peeled and deseeded, sliced thin); 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)

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These shrimp tacos are perfect for when you want a quick and healthy meal for dinner. Coated in a generous amount of taco seasoning, the shrimp is pan-seared to perfection and then topped with a tasty coleslaw and lime crema sauce. It’s such a mouthwatering dish, and it comes together in less than 30 minutes so that you can get dinner on the table in the blink of an eye. Want another easy taco recipe? Try my salmon tacos recipe, air fryer fish tacos recipe, or cauliflower tacos recipe.

Key Ingredients You Need

Ingredients needed to make shrimp tacos.

Shrimp — Large or jumbo shrimps are ideal as it’s harder to overcook them. Save time by buying shrimp that is already peeled and deveined. You can buy fresh or frozen shrimp to make shrimp tacos.
Taco seasoning — You can use store-bought seasoning to try my homemade taco seasoning.
Cole slaw mix — To keep things simple, I use bagged cole slaw mix. You can make your own if you prefer.
Lime crema sauce — I make a homemade lime crema sauce with a few kitchen staples. You only need jalapeno, cilantro, garlic, lime, honey, olive oil, Greek yogurt, and salt. I highly recommend making your own if you have the time.
Corn tortillas — I love corn tortillas but feel free to use your favorite tortillas for these tacos.

How to Make Shrimp Tacos

Set of two photos showing shrimp patted dry and seasoning sprinkled on top.

Step 1: Pat the shrimp dry and add them to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add the olive oil and taco seasoning to the shrimp and toss well to coat. Set aside.

Set of two photos showing sauce ingredients added to a blender and blended smooth.

Step 3: Add all of the sauce ingredients into a blender.

Step 4: Blend until smooth.

Set of two photos showing shrimps seared and tacos assembled.

Step 5: In a large pan over medium heat, add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, just until cooked through.

Step 6: Assemble the tacos by adding a layer of cilantro crema slaw to each tortilla, followed by the shrimp, cotija cheese, and avocado if desired, then top with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.

Tips For This Recipe

Smaller shrimps cook faster, so adjust the cooking time if you use small shrimp.
If you are not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute parsley. It will change the flavor profile, but it’ll still be delicious.
Do not skip patting dry the shrimp. If the shrimps are wet, they will steam in the pan, and you will not get a nice sear on the shrimps.
You can swap the Greek yogurt for mayonnaise to make the recipe dairy-free.
My homemade pico de gallo makes for an excellent topping for the shrimp tacos as well.
Careful not to overcook the shrimp as they’ll become chewy. Once the shrimp turn opaque and curl into a loose “C” shape, they’re ready.
If you cannot find cotija cheese, you can use feta in its place.

A plate of shrimp tacos with a lime wedge squeezed over top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make it ahead of time?

These shrimp tacos taste best when served immediately. However, you can prepare the lime crema sauce a few days in advance and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also thaw the shrimp in the refrigerator beforehand if you are using frozen shrimp. If you want to cook the shrimp ahead of time, be careful not to overcook it, as it’ll become even chewier when you reheat it.

How do I store leftovers?

I recommend you not assemble the tacos you don’t plan on eating immediately. This way, you can store all the components of the shrimp tacos in the fridge for up to 3 days without worrying about anything getting soggy.

How do I reheat leftovers?

Gently reheat the leftover shrimp in the microwave or stovetop and assemble the tacos. Give the sauce and coleslaw a toss before serving.

How do I quickly thaw frozen shrimp?

If you forgot to take your shrimp out of the freezer overnight, you can quickly thaw frozen shrimp. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl and fill it with cold water. After 10 to 20 minutes, it should have thawed. You might have to change the water and stir it every 10 minutes.