The Best Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Kick up taco night with the best shrimp tacos recipe, combining tender lime-kissed shrimp, avocado slaw, and a spicy sauce. Stuffed with sweet, succulent shrimp, a sassy sauce, and crispy slaw, these fully loaded tacos taste like a fiesta. Combining bold flavors with minimal prep and a quick cooking time, they are easy enough for any night of the week yet fun and festive, making them perfect to entertain with.

Whether you’re looking for an easy taco recipe to spice up your dinner rotation or something a little tropical to serve up at your next party, this vibrant recipe is it. With plump and juicy colossal shrimp the star of these stuffed tacos, it doesn’t take a lot to serve up a festive feast.

Why This Recipe Works

• Classic, fresh flavors. Baja-style tacos bring the flavors of the Baja California region to your home. They combine fresh seafood, in this case shrimp, with a creamy sauce and the crunch of a slaw or shredded cabbage.
• Anyone can make this. Some recipes for Baja-style tacos will have you battering and frying either fish or shrimp. This healthier version quickly sautés the shrimp in a skillet
• Versatility. You can keep this recipe traditional and serve it in a toasted flour or corn tortilla, use the same components to top a salad or serve it in a carb-free or low-carb wrap. You can easily adapt this recipe to many dietary needs. You can also double up on the seafood and add lobster to this recipe for lobster tacos.

Ingredients

• Marinated Shrimp—The lime marinade for the tender shrimp calls for just a few basic ingredients that deliver bright flavor without overpowering the delicate shrimp.
  • Limes, you’ll need both the juice and zest.
  • Cumin
  • Cilantro
  • Freshly minced garlic
  • Salt
  • Olive oil
• Cilantro Slaw – Crispy, crunchy cabbage, and creamy avocado deliver layers of texture and flavor.
  • Green cabbage
  • Cilantro
  • Red onion
  • Avocado
  • Lime
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
• Lime Mayo – A little spicy and a little tangy, this garlic lime mayo ties all of the ingredients of these easy shrimp tacos together.
  • Mayonnaise
  • Lime juice and zest
  • Garlic powder
  • Hot sauce
  • Salt

Variations and Substitutions for the Best Shrimp Tacos Recipe

• Swap the shrimp in this recipe for lobster meat.
• Add diced mango or pineapple to the crunchy cabbage slaw to give it an even more tropical taste.
• To give the garlic lime sauce a smoky flavor, add a diced chipotle or two instead of the hot sauce.
• Have fun with your toppings. Pico de gallo, pickled or fresh jalapeno slices, pickled red onions, sliced radishes, and cotija or queso fresco are all great options.
• Instead of mayonnaise, you can use sour cream, Mexican crema, or even protein-packed Greek yogurt as the base of the sauce.
• Skip sautéing the shrimp and fire up the grill for a layer of smoky flavor. After they marinate, skewer them and allow the shrimp to grill for a couple of minutes on each side. They will cook quickly.

How to Make the Best Shrimp Tacos Recipe

• Marinate the shrimp. Add the lime juice and zest, olive oil, cumin, cilantro, and garlic to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Fold in the shrimp, making sure they’re fully coated. Allow the shrimp to marinate in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
• Make the cabbage slaw. Add all of the ingredients for the slaw to a bowl except for the avocado. Stir, making sure everything is evenly coated. Gently fold in the avocado. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Mix together the creamy sauce. Add all of the ingredients for the sauce to a bowl and stir to combine. Season to taste with a pinch of kosher salt.
• Cook the shrimp. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Remove the shrimp from the marinade, but don’t pat dry. Add the shrimp in a single layer to the hot oil, being careful not to crowd the pan. It’s better to work in batches. Allow the first to cook for about 2 minutes. You will begin to see the sides turn opaque. Flip the shrimp and allow the second side to cook another 2-3 minutes until the shrimp is pink, opaque, and C-shaped. Remove from the pan.
• Warm your tortillas.
• Assemble your tacos. If desired, cut the shrimp into smaller bites. Add a layer of shrimp down the middle of the tortilla. Top with the avocado slaw. Drizzle the creamy sauce over the top. Dive in and enjoy!

Tips Cooking Shrimp

• Always start with the freshest shrimp. Our colossal and super colossal shrimp are sustainably harvested and free of preservatives, antibiotics, phosphates, and additives. This ensures the freshest, purest flavor and the best texture when cooked.
• Don’t let the shrimp sit in the marinade for more than 20-30 minutes. The acid in the lime juice will begin to break down the shrimp and change its texture.
• Don’t overcook the shrimp. Shrimp is an incredibly lean protein and doesn’t require a lot of cooking time. You only need a couple of minutes per side. It will turn pink, opaque, and C-shaped. The internal temperature should be 120 degrees.
• Don’t overcrowd your pan. It’s better to cook the shrimp in batches. If the pan is crowded, the shrimp will steam instead of lightly browned.
• Make sure to check out all our tips for how to cook shrimp.

Dietary Adjustments

• This recipe can be made gluten-free. Use either corn tortillas or your favorite gluten-free tortillas.
• If you have an egg allergy, swap the mayonnaise in this recipe for either plant-based mayo, sour cream, yogurt, or crema.
• This recipe is naturally dairy-free.
• The bright note of the lime in all three elements of these easy shrimp tacos allows you to cut back on salt if you are on a lower-sodium diet.

Storage

• The shrimp will last up to two days in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container.
• The slaw mixture will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator and should be kept tightly covered. For the best texture, don’t add the avocado slices until just before you plan on serving them, as they will break down.
• The sauce is versatile. It is also good as a spread in wraps, on sandwiches, and even on burgers. It will last up to a week in the refrigerator.

Top Tips

• Don’t marinate your shrimp for too long. The acid can begin to cook and break down the proteins, causing them to be rubbery and chewy.
• Make sure your pan is fully heated before adding your shrimp. This will sear the shrimp and allow them to cook through, giving the best texture.
• Fresh is always best. You want the freshest shrimp possible, and for the best flavor, make sure that you’re using fresh limes. You will also use the zest.
• Always source the best seafood possible. When you order from LobsterAnywhere you know that you are guaranteed the delivery of the freshest seafood in less than 24 hours. Whether you’re planning on steaming live lobsters, searing up New Bedford-caught U10 sea scallops, or purchasing a surf and turf feast for a special occasion, we have you covered on quality, service, and even how to cook it.

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Kick up taco night with the best shrimp tacos recipe combining tender lime kissed shrimp, avocado slaw, and a spicy sauce. This recipe is adapted from the Delish test kitchen.

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shrimp Tacos

• 1 lbs. shrimp peeled, deveined, tails removed
• Juice from 2 limes
• 1 tsp lime zest
• 2 Tbsp olive oil divided
• 2 Tbsp cilantro plus additional for serving
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 garlic cloves grated or minced
• Kosher salt
• 12 street taco tortillas charred or warmed

Avocado Slaw

• 1 cup green cabbage finely shredded 
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 1/2 firm but ripe avocado thinly sliced
• 1 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 Tbsp EVOO
• Kosher salt

Spicy Mayo

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise 
• 1–2 Tbsp hot sauce depending on preferred spice level
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp lime zest
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Kosher salt

Instructions

Shrimp Tacos

1. Add lime juice, 1 Tbsp olive oil, cumin, cilantro, and garlic to a bowl along with a generous pinch of salt and whisk to combine.
2. Fold in the shrimp making sure they’re fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.
3. Remove the shrimp from the marinade but don’t pat dry. 
4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add remaining olive oil.
5. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Allow the first side to cook for about 2 minutes until the sides begin to turn opaque. Flip the shrimp and allow the second side to cook another 2-3 minutes until cooked through. The shrimp will be pink, opaque, and C shaped. Their internal temperature should be 120 degrees. 
6. Remove from the pan. 
7. To assemble the tacos, place several shrimp down the middle. You can chop into smaller bite sizes if desired. Top with the avocado slaw. Drizzle on the spicy mayo. Enjoy!

Avocado Slaw

1. Add all of the ingredients for the slaw except the avocado to a bowl. Toss to combine.
2. Gently fold in the avocado slices, careful not to break up. 
3. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Spicy Mayo

1. Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine.
2. Taste. Add additional hot sauce or salt if desired.
3. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

• Author: Adapted from Delish Test Kitchen
• Prep Time: 20
• Cook Time: 10
• Category: Entree
• Method: Sauteing
• Cuisine: American