How to Make Shrimp Tacos?

This recipe is a real crowd-pleaser because gives you everything you need for the spicy shrimp, but allows you to choose your own toppings so everyone gets a taco just how they like it!

For a quick weeknight meal, try these simple shrimp tacos! Warm flour tortillas are wrapped around plump, juicy shrimp that have been cooked in a flavorful spice mixture before being covered in your preferred toppings.

Easy Shrimp Tacos Recipe

For nights when you’re busy, try this simple, spicy shrimp taco recipe! Your favorite toppings are served with spiced, juicy shrimp in a warm tortilla.

You just can’t go wrong with them! Everyone will be pleased that they can pick their own toppings and that they are enjoyable to eat. For the ultimate Taco Tuesday, serve them with some Mexican rice and refried beans. But let’s talk about these tacos with shrimp.

For all the seafood lovers in your family, this is the BEST taco recipe. Onion, garlic, and warm spices are used in the cooking of plump shrimp. The flavor just gets seared right in! Then, simply add it to a warm flour or corn tortilla, top it with your preferred garnishes, and enjoy! A chef should kiss dinner. I apologize for your impending addiction to shrimp tacos.

Shrimp Buying Guide

When buying shrimp, there are numerous options. Here are some suggestions for choosing wisely.

• Not as fresh as you might believe. The fact that shrimp is served raw does not guarantee that it is fresh. Around 10% of goods sold in the US are actually produced here. Since the remaining food is imported, it is likely that it has already been frozen. Don’t purchase defrosted and make sure to inquire at the counter.
• When buying frozen, choose shrimp that are individually frozen instead of in a block, that way you can thaw exactly what you need. For detailed information on this topic, see my post on how to thaw frozen shrimp
• Buy untreated shrimp. Some manufacturers chemically treat shrimp so check the package ingredients and make sure “Shrimp” is the only ingredient listed.

Ingredient Notes

• Shrimp – I use large shrimp (26 to 30 pounds). Shrimp of different sizes will cook to different sizes. Shrimp that has been frozen and thawed can be used. For more information on this, see my article on how to thaw shrimp.
• Garlic granules– You can use garlic powder if you prefer, but I prefer the granules because they give the coating a nice texture.
• Olive Oil: To cook the shrimp, use this. You’re welcome to use your preferred cooking oil here!
• Seasonings and Spices: I toss the shrimp in a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and chili powder. It has a warm, savory flavor with the perfect amount of spice, making it one of my favorite blends.
• Flour Tortillas: I like using medium-sized tortillas because they’re big enough to hold all of the shrimp and toppings while also being easy to hold. You can buy tortillas already made or use this simple recipe to make your own!
• Toppings: ((Optional) Choose your preferred one! I frequently choose a combination of sliced avocado, sour cream, salsa, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, red onions, and fresh cilantro. Use this homemade cilantro ranch sauce as a garnish for a little extra flavor!

Why Does This Shrimp Taco Recipe Works?

• Easy: The entire preparation time for this shrimp taco recipe is only 15 minutes!
• Healthy: We can feel good about serving a healthy dinner when we combine shrimp, which is low in calories and full of nutrients, with coleslaw cabbage, which is high in vitamins C and K.
• Enjoy year-round: Summertime grilling is preferred to wintertime pan frying.
• Customizable: When it comes to serving tacos, the possibilities are almost endless! Skip the tortilla and serve shrimp salad ‘taco bowl’ style. To add heat, drizzle with hot sauce or add chopped jalapeno. Serve sliced avocados (learn how to cut an avocado!) or pico de gallo on the side etc. So many ideas!

How to Make Shrimp Tacos

1. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel.
2. Mix the taco seasoning mix until combined.
3. Coat the shrimp in the seasoning mix.
4. Heat oil, and sear seasoned shrimp for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
5. Serve on a warm tortilla with your favorite toppings.

Make Shrimp Taco Seasoning and Sauce

Shrimp taco seasoning: While you prepare the sauce and heat the skillet, we combine enough taco seasoning with garlic powder to season raw shrimp for five minutes. You want shrimp to be a little spicy so that assembled tacos do not taste bland.

And no salt added because shrimp contains a lot of sodium, and so does taco seasoning (although I buy an organic one with low sodium).

Shrimp taco sauce: Most shrimp taco recipes are heavy on the mayo. These healthy shrimp tacos wouldn’t be authentic shrimp tacos without creamy mayo slaw, so I used yogurt and a little mayonnaise. It is a variation of this healthy recipe for coleslaw.

Add the mixture to the lime juice, additional taco seasoning, and a dash of cayenne. And it will be the most simple and tasty shrimp taco sauce ever. We’ll use it in the slaw and as a topping for tacos.

Set aside, remember, easy.

Saute Shrimp and Make Cabbage Slaw

Cook shrimp for 4 minutes in a hot ceramic non-stick skillet. Shrimp cooks fast and it’s ready when no longer gray and starts to turn pink. Twice-flip the shrimp and press on them with a spatula for a more browned appearance.

Make slaw by literally just dumping a 14 oz bag of store-bought cabbage slaw, cilantro, salt, and almost all of the taco sauce. I like to reserve some of the dressing for drizzling on shrimp tacos. However, you are not required to. Just looks good and tastes better!

Assemble Easy Shrimp Tacos With Slaw

It’s time to put the tacos together! You timed yourself, right? There were only about 11 minutes left before this step.

I like to warm tortillas in a cast iron skillet on high heat. Just 10 seconds on each side, as the tortilla would otherwise dry out and crack as you folded it. Except when making a tostada, not good.

For more char, press with a spatula. When using tongs on a gas stove, place the object directly on the burner.

How are shrimp tacos made? Depending on the size, stuff each tortilla with 3–4 sauteed shrimp, some slaw, and sauce.