Elevate your taco night with these spicy shrimp tacos with slaw! Juicy marinated shrimp are paired with a crunchy, zesty slaw and wrapped in warm corn tortillas for the ultimate flavor explosion. Perfect for quick dinners or gatherings, these tacos are easy to make and absolutely delicious.
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to personal spice preference)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
8 small corn tortillas
1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
1/2 cup carrots, grated
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (for topping)
![- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 2 teaspoons chili powder - 1 teaspoon ground cumin - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to personal spice preference) - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste - 8 small corn tortillas - 1 avocado, sliced - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (for topping) The shrimp is the star of this dish. Buy fresh shrimp for the best taste. Olive oil helps the spices stick and adds richness. The spices give the shrimp a kick. Use chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Adjust the cayenne for your spice level. Salt and pepper round out the flavors. The corn tortillas hold everything together. They are soft and have a slight sweetness. For toppings, I love creamy avocado and sour cream or Greek yogurt. These add coolness to balance the heat. - 1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded - 1/2 cup carrots, grated - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice The slaw adds crunch and freshness. I use red cabbage for its color and crispness. Grated carrots add sweetness and more crunch. Fresh cilantro brings a bright flavor that pairs well with the shrimp. Lime juice adds acidity. It helps balance the dish and enhances the flavors. When you mix these ingredients, you create a tasty slaw. Toss the cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and lime juice together. Season with salt and pepper. Let it sit for a bit. This allows the flavors to blend nicely. For the full recipe, please refer to the [Full Recipe]. To start, combine the shrimp with olive oil and spices. Use a mixing bowl for this. You will need: - 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 2 teaspoons chili powder - 1 teaspoon ground cumin - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper - Salt and freshly ground black pepper Toss the shrimp to coat them well in the spice mix. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes. This step lets the flavors sink in. While the shrimp marinates, prepare the slaw. In a separate bowl, mix together the following: - 1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded - 1/2 cup carrots, grated - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to the mix. Toss everything until well combined. Let it sit for a few minutes, so the flavors blend nicely. Next, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the marinated shrimp in a single layer. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes on each side. You want the shrimp to be opaque and fully cooked. Once done, take the skillet off the heat. In another dry skillet, warm the corn tortillas. Heat them for about 30 seconds on each side. This keeps them soft and pliable. Cover the warmed tortillas with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm. Now it's time to build your tacos! Take a warm tortilla and layer it with a few pieces of cooked shrimp. Top it with a generous spoonful of slaw. Add a couple of slices of avocado for some creaminess. You can drizzle sour cream or Greek yogurt on top for extra flavor. Feel free to garnish with lime wedges for an extra zesty kick. For the complete recipe, check out the Full Recipe section. To make Spicy Shrimp Tacos just right, adjust the spice levels. If you like heat, add more cayenne pepper. For a milder taste, reduce or skip it. Marinating shrimp is key. I recommend at least 15 minutes. This lets the flavors soak in. If you have time, let it marinate for 30 minutes. Your shrimp will taste even better. When cooking shrimp, keep a few things in mind. Use a hot skillet to get a nice sear. This adds flavor and texture. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side. They should turn pink and opaque. This means they are done. To warm tortillas, use a separate skillet. Heat them for about 30 seconds on each side. This keeps them soft and easy to fold. Pair these tacos with some tasty side dishes. Consider serving with rice, beans, or a fresh salad. They balance well with the spicy shrimp. For garnishing, get creative. Fresh cilantro, lime wedges, or sliced radishes add flair. You can also drizzle some hot sauce for more heat. Enjoy your taco feast! {{image_4}} You can swap shrimp for other proteins. Fish works well in these tacos. Tilapia or cod gives a mild taste. Chicken is another great choice. Simply grill or sauté it with the same spices. For a vegetarian option, try black beans or mushrooms. They add a hearty texture. Use the same spices to keep the flavor profile. You can play with your slaw mix. Adding fruits like mango or pineapple gives a sweet touch. Nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, add crunch and richness. Change up the dressing, too. Instead of lime juice, try apple cider vinegar for a tangy kick. You can also mix in yogurt for a creamier slaw. Corn tortillas are classic and gluten-free. They add a nice flavor. Flour tortillas are another option and are soft and chewy. For gluten-free choices, look for brands made from almond or coconut flour. These can hold up well and taste great with the tacos. To keep your tacos fresh, store them properly. If you have assembled tacos, wrap them in foil or place them in a sealed container. This helps prevent them from getting soggy. If you have leftover shrimp and slaw, store them separately. Use airtight containers for both. - Assembled tacos: Wrap in foil or use a sealed container. - Separate ingredients: Use airtight containers. You can freeze shrimp and slaw if you have extras. Place cooked shrimp in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. For slaw, use a separate bag or container. This keeps them fresh for about three months. - Freezing shrimp: Use a freezer bag, remove air. - Freezing slaw: Store in a separate bag or container. When ready to eat, thaw shrimp overnight in the fridge. For slaw, take it out and let it sit at room temperature for a bit. To enjoy your shrimp tacos later, reheating is key. The best method is using a skillet over medium heat. Heat shrimp for about 2-3 minutes or until warm. For tortillas, warm them in the skillet for about 30 seconds on each side. - Reheating shrimp: Use a skillet, about 2-3 minutes. - Reheating tortillas: Warm in skillet, 30 seconds per side. This keeps the flavors fresh and the texture nice. Enjoy your delicious tacos again! For the full recipe, refer back to the beginning. To make your tacos less spicy, adjust the seasoning. Use less cayenne pepper. You can also skip the chili powder if you want a milder flavor. Adding more sour cream or Greek yogurt will cool down the heat, too. Mixing in some diced avocado can help balance the spice. Yes, you can prep parts ahead of time. Marinate the shrimp a few hours before cooking. You can also make the slaw ahead. Just store it in the fridge until you are ready to serve. Keep the tortillas separate until you warm them up. This keeps them fresh and soft. Besides avocado and sour cream, you can use many fresh toppings. Try fresh salsa, diced tomatoes, or chopped onions for a crunch. You can also add sliced jalapeños for extra heat. Fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions give great flavor, too. Spicy Shrimp Tacos can be a healthy meal option. Shrimp is high in protein and low in calories. The slaw adds fiber and vitamins from the cabbage and carrots. Just watch the amount of sour cream you use for calories. Overall, they can fit into a balanced diet. Making Spicy Shrimp Tacos takes about 30 minutes. You’ll need 15 minutes to prep and marinate the shrimp. Cooking and assembling the tacos takes another 15 minutes. It’s a quick and tasty meal for any weeknight. For the full recipe, see above. Spicy shrimp tacos are easy and tasty. We covered the main ingredients and how to prepare them. Marinating the shrimp and making the slaw are key steps. You can adjust flavor levels and try different proteins. Storing and reheating the tacos properly keeps them fresh. Overall, these tacos are fun to make and share. Enjoy your cooking and make it your own!](https://dailydishcraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/b60cf5e8-c146-40ea-9eac-31a57bffcc90-250x250.webp)