Shrimp Tacos With Slaw (Printable)

Tender seasoned shrimp with crisp tangy slaw in warm tortillas for a fresh, satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp chili powder
04 - 1/2 tsp cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Slaw

08 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
09 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
10 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
11 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
12 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
13 - 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt (or use all mayo for dairy-free)
14 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
15 - 1 tsp honey (or sugar)
16 - 1/4 tsp salt
17 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Assembly

18 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
19 - Lime wedges, for serving
20 - Extra cilantro or sliced jalapeños (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - In a large bowl, combine green and red cabbage, carrots, and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine. Chill in the refrigerator until needed.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side or until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
04 - Assemble the tacos by placing a generous spoonful of slaw on each warmed tortilla, topping with shrimp, and garnishing with extra cilantro or jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The spice rub on the shrimp creates this beautiful caramelized crust in minutes
  • That slaw stays impossibly crisp even after sitting in the dressing
  • Everything comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you fussed
02 -
  • Dry the shrimp thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning or they'll steam instead of sear
  • Don't overcrowd the skillet when cooking shrimp or they'll release too much moisture
  • The slaw tastes better after 15 minutes of chilling, but don't make it more than an hour ahead
03 -
  • Prep everything before you start cooking, the shrimp cook in under 5 minutes
  • Keep the slaw cold until the moment you assemble, temperature contrast is part of the magic