I have a recipe for the most juicy, splendidly spiced shrimp tacos, complete with a killer shrimp taco slaw recipe and a creamy, dreamy shrimp taco sauce. Not only is this healthy shrimp recipe worth making for dinner tonight, but it’s also worth putting up with my bad jokes! Every time I make a recipe with shrimp, I ask myself why I don’t cook with shrimp at least once a week.
In addition to being healthy, shrimp cooks in a matter of minutes, making it ideal for fast weeknight dinners (this Garlic Shrimp Pasta is another speedy winner). The sautéed shrimp in these tacos cooks in fewer than 5 minutes, which by my calculation is just enough time to pour yourself a Skinny Margarita if you move very very quickly.
While fresh shrimp are delicious, the majority of the time, I purchase raw, frozen shrimp.
Frozen shrimp is usually less expensive, and because you can purchase it already peeled, it puts one less step between me and my plate of shrimp tacos.For easy shrimp tacos using frozen shrimp, you can thaw the shrimp in your refrigerator overnight, or if you forget (guilty!), you can quickly thaw them too.
While frozen shrimp are not the best choice if you’ll be eating shrimp cocktail, it’s perfect for recipes where the shrimp are being jazzed up with spices (hi, Healthy Shrimp Pad Thai and Shrimp Guacamole Bites) or fresh ingredients like garlic (Garlic Shrimp with Quinoa; Healthy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles). In the case of our easy shrimp tacos recipe, the shrimp are tossed with classic chili powder, smoky chipotle chili powder, and chili’s BFF, cumin.
How to Make The Best Shrimp Tacos Recipe, With Shrimp Taco Slaw
Based on my extensive research, which consists of ordering shrimp tacos every single time I see them on a menu, no real-deal shrimp taco would be complete without a corresponding slaw and sauce. I have unearthed the BEST slaw for shrimp tacos with no mayo, which along with the to-die-for sauce, perfectly balance and cool the spice from the shrimp, and they add wonderful, fresh flavor. The shrimp seasoning, slaw, and sauce also work as a grilled shrimp tacos recipe.
The Ingredients
Shrimp. Quick-cooking, protein-packed, and delicious, shrimp are a fantastic choice for tacos. They pair wonderfully with the spices too.Spices. Chili powder, chipotle chili powder, cumin, and salt make the shrimp pop! These shrimp seasonings make the tacos smoky, earthy, and a little spicy. Taco Sauce. With olive oil, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, and fresh lime juice, this Greek yogurt sauce is cool, creamy, and zippy. The jalapeño adds a hint of spice too. Slaw. Crunchy, fresh slaw mix pairs perfectly with the creamy taco sauce and smoky shrimp. What’s typically mayo slaw for shrimp tacos is lightened up with Greek yogurt swapped for the mayo.
Tortillas. The shell for our tacos. You can use flour or corn tortillas.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. The shrimp tastes best the day it is made but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Slaw can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, and any extra sauce can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.To Reheat. Since shrimp tends to dry out when reheated, I prefer to use the leftovers on top of salads. However, you can very gently rewarm the shrimp in a skillet over medium-low heat if needed.
Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe
Nonstick Skillet. This nonstick skillet comes with its own lid. Food Processor. Perfect for preparing the taco sauce. Tongs. These are great for flipping the shrimp.
Whether you cook these tacos outdoors or in, I’d love to know how this recipe turns out for you.
Mexican Cornbread
45 mins
Instant Pot Refried Beans
1 hr 45 mins
Best Guacamole Recipe
10 mins Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe. Don’t forget to leave a comment below. I love hearing from you!
Mexican Shrimp
1 hr
Air Fryer Shrimp
30 mins
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
30 mins