Shrimp tacos are a light, flavorful, and quick-to-make dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or a fun twist on taco night. With tender, juicy shrimp seasoned with bold spices, fresh toppings, and a zesty sauce, these tacos deliver a perfect balance of flavors and textures in every bite.
To start, the shrimp are seasoned with a mix of spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne for heat. A squeeze of lime juice adds brightness and enhances the shrimp’s natural flavor. The shrimp are then quickly sautéed in a hot pan, cooking for just a few minutes until they turn pink and slightly crispy on the edges, making them tender yet full of flavor.
The tacos themselves are typically made with soft corn or flour tortillas, which serve as the perfect vessel to hold the shrimp and all the toppings. For toppings, you can go as simple or as elaborate as you like. A tangy, crunchy cabbage slaw made with shredded cabbage, cilantro, and a little lime juice is a great way to add texture and freshness. A drizzle of creamy chipotle sauce, made from mayonnaise, sour cream, and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, brings a smoky, spicy kick that complements the shrimp perfectly.
To further elevate the tacos, top them with sliced avocado, fresh pico de gallo, or even a sprinkle of queso fresco for added creaminess and flavor. For an extra burst of freshness, a squeeze of lime just before serving ties everything together.
Shrimp tacos are incredibly versatile, so feel free to customize the toppings to your taste—whether you prefer a spicy salsa, a mild guacamole, or a sprinkling of fresh herbs.
For drinks, these tacos pair wonderfully with a light, citrusy beer like a pilsner, a refreshing margarita, or even a sparkling water with lime.
Shrimp tacos are a quick, flavorful meal that combines bright, fresh ingredients with a touch of spice, making them an exciting dish that’s sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 pieces tortillas corn or flour
- 1 cup cabbage shredded
- 1 cup salsa of choice
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1 lime juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, chili powder, and salt. Mix until shrimp are evenly coated.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they are pink and opaque.
- Warm tortillas in a separate pan or in the microwave.
- Assemble the tacos: place some cabbage on each tortilla, add shrimp, top with salsa, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
These shrimp tacos were AMAZING! I couldn’t stop eating them! Will def make again!
Tacos r life! I just randomly saw this recipe online and had to try it.❤️
I added some cheese on top, is that weird? Kind of a weird combo with shrimp but tasted good.
Eh, tasted like cardboard with shrimp. Sorry, but I didn’t like it at all. 😒
I actually loved the flavors! Maybe try adding some hot sauce next time?
This recipe was not good. My shrimp got too rubbery, I think I cooked them too long. Any tips?
Maybe try not to cook them for so long? 2-3 minutes is usually enough. Just cook until they turn pink!
No thanks. I can’t eat shrimp (allergic). But my friend tried this and said it was delicious. 😬
But shrimp’s like, the best part! You should try a different filling next time!
I’m sorry to hear you’re allergic! At least your friend could enjoy it. 🌮
These shrimp tacos are sooooo good! My family loved them. Will definitely make again.
These tacos are the best!! So easy to make and so tasty. I added some avocado on top. Yum! 🌮🌟
Tacos? More like mini flavor bombs! My friends can’t stop asking for the recipe.
I agree! These tacos are a hit at every party. I can’t believe how easy they are to make too.
Mini flavor bombs? More like mini disasters! My shrimp turned out all mushy. What did I do wrong?
The recipe is simple but needs more flavor. It was a bit bland for my taste. Next time, I’m adding some hot sauce.
I don’t know… I felt like it needed more flavor. The shrimp were nice, but kinda bland. Maybe add garlic next time?
Yum! My kids loved them! I even added some cheese on top and they devoured it. Will make again!
These shrimp tacos are bomb! I love how simple they are, and they taste amazing. Definitely a keeper!
How much is a ‘cup’? Is it like the same as a coffee cup? 🤔 Anyway, I tried my best but it wasn’t great.
A ‘cup’ usually means 8 ounces. But using a coffee cup is fine too! Just make sure you’re consistent. Keep trying, you got this! 🌮
Shrimp are from the sea, right? That’s all I know about them. But these tacos taste good for sure!
I was skeptical about shrimp in tacos, but wow! The chili powder really makes a difference. Definitely a keeper!
This looks so good! But why not use chicken instead? Tacos are suppose to be chicken!
Really loved how fast these were! Didnt have cilantro so used parsley instead and it still worked. Thanks!
Easy & quick! Perfect for a busy weeknight. Thanks for this simple recipe!
Not bad, but what kind of salsa do I use? Mine just wasn’t flavorful. Any suggestions?
I thought shrimp tacos were for fancy restaurants only. But I made these last night and they were sooo good! Will be making again.
Yum!! The kids devoured them! I didn’t think they would eat shrimp, but they loved it. Will make again!
Shrimp tacos? Not sure about that. My friend said shrimp is like the roaches of the sea. You sure they ate it? 🤔
That’s awesome to hear! My kids are picky, so I was worried they wouldn’t like it. Maybe I’ll give it a try! 😊
Yum! Love tacos! I added avocado and it was even better. 💚
I don’t know, man. Tacos with avocado? Sounds weird. Stick to the basics, right?
Avocado makes everything better! Great idea! 🌮
These shrimp tacos are AMAZING! Super easy to make and so tasty! Definitely a five-star experience!
I tried these and they did taste good, but mine kinda fell apart. Maybe I need to work on my taco assembling skills! 😂
These were okay. I guess if you love seafood you might like them but I called my mom and she said tacos are beef. 🤷♂️
Not bad. Just a basic shrimp taco recipe. I expected more wow factor.
I tried this with frozen shrimp and it turned out soggy. But fresh shrimp were great. Just a tip!
I dunno about that. Frozen shrimp can still be good if cooked right. Maybe it was the cooking time?
Thanks for the tip! I’ll remember to use fresh shrimp next time. Can’t wait to try these tacos again!
I didn’t really like the chili powder, it tasted weird. Maybe try with less?
Easy to make but I didn’t have cilantro, so I used parsley instead. Still good but not the same.
5 stars all the way! I love how simple this was. And it was ready in no time!
Shrimple delicious! Ha! 😂 Anyway, this is my new favorite taco recipe! Thanks!
Delicious! Wish I had lime though, but still turned out great! Cabbage made it nice and crunchy!
Used lettuce instead of cabbage and forgot the lime. Still turned out pretty good! #notperfect
Glad to hear it still turned out good! Lettuce can be a nice change. 😊
Uh, is it really that easy? Just 2-3 minutes for shrimp? Sounds too good to be true!
I was skeptical too, but it really is that quick! These tacos are delicious!
2-3 minutes sounds too rushed for shrimp. Are you sure they won’t be overcooked?
I mean… they’re just shrimp, right? I expected more flavor. Kinda bland tbh.
Soo good and so easy! Made these on a weekday and even my husband liked them. 👏
I made these but I used frozen shrimp and they didn’t taste fresh at all, sad face. Still edible though!
Shrimp tacos are life! Anyone who doesn’t like shrimp is missing out!
Agreed! Shrimp tacos are the best! Can’t believe some people don’t like shrimp. Their loss! 😋
Does it really take only 6 minutes to cook shrimp? Mine took longer. Not sure I trust the timing.
I know, right? Shrimp can be tricky. Maybe your heat wasn’t high enough? Or the shrimp were too big. They usually cook quick tho!
I tried this recipe and thought it was ok, but wasn’t super impressed. I feel like it needed more flavor. Maybe some garlic?