Best Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Shrimp tacos always remind me of being on a beach and eating a light and easy meal to relax.  However, with this main dish recipe, they are super easy to prepare at home in only 5 minutes so you can easily bring a bit of vacation home with you! 

Make these easy shrimp tacos recipe for a change from Ground Beef Tacos Recipe and Fish Tacos Recipe.

Why This Recipe Works

These Shrimp Tacos are easy to prepare with easy ingredients. You start with precooked shrimp and toss in taco seasoning. Then layer the shrimp in corn tortillas and topped with clow slaw.

Shrimp Tacos are the perfect weeknight meal they take 30 minutes or less to prepare. If you love shrimp as much as my family does, skip the beef and make shrimp tacos for dinner tonight.

What Size Shrimp do you Use?

The perfect shrimp to make shrimp tacos is the large, jumbo or colossal size shrimp. In this recipe we bought the precooked shrimp that is already peeled and deveined.

I like to keep things easy, so I look for the shrimp that is already peeled and cooked. This recipe can be made with raw or pre-cooked shrimp. The seasoning can be used for both and makes a delicious meal.

Ingredients

• Precooked Shrimp – Use Peeled and Deveined Shrimp
• Taco Seasoning – We like using Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Salsa – Try this recipe with Homemade Salsa Recipe
• Chicken Broth – If you are out see Chicken Broth Substitutes
• Corn Tortillas – Use tortillas that you prefer. You can also make Homemade Flour Tortilla Recipe

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Recipe Variations

• Grill Shrimp – If you are eating outside and grilling out, you can grill shrimp instead of sautéing it.  I would only grill the shrimp for 3-4 minutes and grilling them would add a delicious flavor to this recipe.
• Change the Salsa – Another way to change up this best shrimp taco recipe is to change the salsa that the shrimp is sautéed in.  I generally use a mild salsa as not all my kids like spicy foods so these is generally a win for the entire family. But a spicy salsa works great also.
• Add a Fruit Salsa – I know that these shrimp tacos will taste amazing prepared with a peach or mango salsa.  I love fruit and shrimp combined together.  Either of these salsa will add an delicious flavor to this recipe.
• Spicy Shrimp Tacos – If you prefer your shrimp to have a spicier taste, add in tsp of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika.
• Greek Yogurt – You can also drizzle Greek Yogurt over the top for a lighter sauce.

This recipe is simple to make so get adventurous and makes some changes to figure out your favorite variation of this taco recipe. You can also a shrimp taco sauce.

How to Make Shrimp Tacos

There are 2 parts to this healthy shrimp tacos recipe.  First you have to cook the shrimp and then you have to prepare the slaw that is served in the tortillas with the shrimp.  The combination of these 2 items is what makes these tacos so amazing!

• Step 1 – Preparing the shrimp is the easiest part – In a large skillet add the shrimp, taco seasoning, salsa, broth and squeeze of lime. You can cook the shrimp in olive oil or butter.

• Step 2 – Cover and heat over medium high heat until the shrimp is cooked through.  This should only take 5 minutes.

• Step 3 – While the shrimp is cooking, I like to prepare the slaw so I’m ready to assemble the tacos once the shrimp is ready.
• Step 4 – Make Coleslaw – To make the slaw, in a separate large bowl, combine the cole slaw mix, diced jalapeños, fresh cilantro, honey and more fresh lime juice.  Then stir to thoroughly combined these ingredients.

• Step 5 – Then I like to slightly brown the corn tortillas over a flame on my stove top to heat them and brown the edges.  You can heat them in the microwave if you prefer, the browning adds a unique flavor to the tacos and really is simple to do.
• Step 6 – The final step in this recipe is to assemble the tacos.
• Step 7 – Put a portion of the shrimp topped with the slaw mix on each corn tortilla or flour tortillas and serve with lime wedges. We like to serve in warm tortillas.

Recipe Tips

• Shrimp – We used precooked shrimp to make it easier. But you can use raw shrimp. We recommend buying the jumbo or large shrimp for cooking.
• Cooking in Skillet – Don’t overcrowd the pan when heating up the shrimp. Place in the pan in a single layer.
• Grill Shrimp – Instead of cooking on the stovetop, you can easily place the shrimp in a foil pack or on skewers. Prepare the tacos as indicated.
• Frozen Shrimp – Before putting shrimp in the skillet, make sure you thaw overnight.

Cole Slaw Variations

An easy way to change up this recipe is to change what is mixed in with the shrimp taco slaw.  Most of the flavor from this recipe comes from the slaw so it’s no surprise that altering the slaw can easily change this up.

Here are a few recommendations to consider adding to the slaw recipe.

• Add Sour cream or mayonnaise to the slaw recipe, if you prefer a cream based slaw for your shrimp tacos.
• Mix in Chipotles to the slaw recipe, if you like a spicy and smoky flavor to your tacos.
• Add Orange juice or orange zest for a stronger citrus flavor to your tacos.

These are just a few suggestions, but don’t be afraid to change up this slaw recipe to make it your own by adding your favorite flavors to this delicious taco recipe. You can even make a cabbage slaw to top the tacos.

What to Serve with Shrimp Tacos

• Mexican Rice – Make easiest Spanish rice to add as a side with these shrimp tacos. We love easy sides and this one goes perfectly with shrimp tacos.
• Cilantro Lime Rice – This delicious cilantro lime rice is so flavorful and easy to make.
• Refried Beans – Make Easy Crockpot Refried Beans Recipe for an easy side dish.
• Salad – If you are on a low carb diet, top these shrimp and the Cole slaw on a green salad.
• Corn Salad – I love making this Corn Salad for a simple side dish with leftover corn.

Shrimp Taco Topping Ideas

• Shredded Cheese or Cotija Cheese
• Pico de Gallo
• Guacamole
• Sour Cream
• Salsa
• Red Onion
• Avocado
• Salsa Verde
• Sautéd Red Peppers and Onions

Frequently Asked Questions