Easy Shrimp Tacos with Homemade Slaw

These Shrimp Tacos are piled high with tasty, plump shrimp, homemade slaw and tangy cilantro dressing layered in warm corn tortillas. A healthy, easy summer supper or the perfect party food!

Shrimp Tacos

This delicious shrimp taco recipe was a favorite when we lived in California. Our cousins, Cory and Kristen made these for us and we were blown away! The crunchy homemade coleslaw combined with sweet and tangy cilantro dressing and perfect pink shrimp all wrapped in soft tortillas make the best shrimp tacos I have ever had! We make them all the time during the summer, since it doesn’t require much cooking. Sometimes we grill the shrimp on our outdoor grill instead of cooking on the stove, which adds a smoky flavor to this delicious dish. They’re the perfect dinner to whip up any night of the week!

Tips for Cooking the Perfect Shrimp

• Shrimp cooks up quickly and easily, but there are a few things to remember when making the perfect plump shrimp.
• Make sure to rinse the shrimp well before cooking. Place them in a colander or strainer, and wash thoroughly with cold water. Toss out any shrimp that look slimy, discolored or smell overly fishy.
• If you’re using frozen shrimp. run them under cool water to thaw. Don’t use hot water!
• The key to not over cooking is to remove them from the heat right when they turn pink, with no brown or grey spots. 
• Perfectly cooked shrimp curls into a loose “C” shape. You’ll know they’re overcooked if they curl into a tight “C”. Overcooked shrimp can become too tough or chewy.
• You can buy shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined to make the cooking process go a little quicker.
• You’ll want to cook these shrimp quickly so they don’t dry out before assembling the tacos.

Additional Toppings for Shrimp Tacos

Tangy coleslaw and cilantro dressing give these shrimp tacos big bursts of flavor, but you could also add slices of avocado, a dollop of sour cream, diced green onions or chopped tomatoes. Or use crunchy taco shells for an added crunch. The possibilities are endless!

More Delicious Shrimp Recipes

Shrimp is easy to cook and as versatile as chicken! Try these little tender bites in some of our very favorite recipes:

Dinner

Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Sandwiches & Wraps

Shrimp Po Boy

Pasta

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Shrimp

Shrimp Taco Bites with Cilantro Cream Sauce

Easy Shrimp Tacos with Homemade Slaw

5 from 7 votes

Shrimp Tacos are piled high with tasty, plump shrimp, homemade slaw and tangy cilantro avocado sauce layered in warm flour tortillas. A healthy, easy summer dinner or the perfect party food!

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Seafood

Servings 6 Tacos

Equipment

• Stove Top
• Fry Pan/Skillet

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 6 corn tortillas soft
• ▢ 1/2 cup cotija cheese (or feta)

OREGANO LIME SLAW:

• ▢ 2 cups green cabbage shredded
• ▢ 1 lime juiced
• ▢ 2 tsp dried oregano

CILANTRO AVOCADO SAUCE:

• ▢ 1/2 cup mayo
• ▢ 1/2 avocado
• ▢ 1/2 cup cilantro
• ▢ 1 lime juiced
• ▢ pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

SHRIMP:

• ▢ 1 pound shrimp (20 to 25 shrimp)
• ▢ 1 tsp sugar
• ▢ salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ 1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Instructions

• In a small fry pan, heat the corn tortillas in a little bit of oil and lightly salt.

OREGANO LIME SLAW:

• Toss all ingrendients together and season with a pinch of salt.

CILANTRO AVOCADO SAUCE:

• Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a blender.

SHRIMP:

• Peel shrimp, pat it dry, season with salt, pepper, and sugar. Heat oil over medium high heat and add shrimp. Cook until shrimp are curled and pink.
• Layer the shrimp, cabbage, and sauce in a warm corn tortilla. Top with a little cotija (or feta) cheese.

Notes

• Make sure to rinse the shrimp well before cooking. Place them in a colander or strainer, and wash thoroughly with cold water. Toss out any shrimp that look slimy, discolored or smell overly fishy.
• If you’re using frozen shrimp. run them under cool water to thaw. Don’t use hot water!
• The key to not over cooking is to remove them from the heat right when they turn pink, with no brown or grey spots. 
• Perfectly cooked shrimp curls into a loose “C” shape. You’ll know they’re overcooked if they curl into a tight “C”. Overcooked shrimp can become too tough or chewy.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 355kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 20gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 209mgSodium: 864mgPotassium: 267mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 20.2mgCalcium: 216mgIron: 2.5mg

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