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Delicious shrimp tacos with fresh toppings on a white plate.

Proven way to grow 7 delicious Shrimp Tacos

These shrimp tacos are packed with flavor and incredibly satisfying. Featuring succulent shrimp, a vibrant slaw, and a zesty crema, they are perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a festive gathering.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 7 tacos
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp
  • 1.5 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp cumin
  • 0.5 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
For the Slaw
  • 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
  • 0.5 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 0.25 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 0.125 tsp salt
For the Crema
  • 0.5 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 0.25 tsp chipotle powder
  • 1 tbsp water
For Serving
  • 14 small flour or corn tortillas
  • lime wedges for serving

Equipment

  • medium bowl
  • large skillet or grill pan
  • large bowl
  • small bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Prepare the Shrimp
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss to ensure the shrimp are evenly coated with the seasoning blend.
  2. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque, indicating they are cooked through. Do not overcook the shrimp.
  3. Remove the cooked shrimp from the heat and set aside to rest while you prepare the remaining components.
Make the Slaw
  1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded green cabbage, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped cilantro.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, and salt to create the dressing. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
Whip up the Crema
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream (or Greek yogurt if preferred), lime juice, chipotle powder, and water until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
Assemble the Tacos
  1. Warm the small flour or corn tortillas according to package instructions, which usually involves a quick pan-fry or microwave heating to make them pliable. Lay out the warmed tortillas on a clean surface.
  2. Fill each tortilla with a generous spoonful of the prepared slaw. Arrange 2-3 cooked shrimp on top of the slaw in each tortilla.
  3. Drizzle each taco with a spoonful of the zesty chipotle crema. Garnish the finished tacos with fresh lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus flavor.

Notes

For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the shrimp seasoning or a dash of hot sauce to the crema. You can also customize the slaw with other finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or corn. To make the tortillas more flexible, briefly warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds.