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    Home » Mexican Recipes » Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw

    Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw

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    These Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw are made with soft tortillas, juicy and tender shrimp seasoned with classic Mexican spices, and a delicious cabbage and cilantro slaw tossed in homemade lime crema sauce. It's the perfect summer weeknight meal, ready on your table in about 20 minutes. Backyard patio, these soft tortilla tacos are waiting for you!

    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com

    I rely on this easy shrimp tacos recipe way more than you'd expect! It's such a great recipe —quick, easy, and full of flavor — and the whole family loves it. We can easily eat this dish every night of the week, especially during the hot summer months! The lime-infused cabbage slaw adds extra texture and flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory, spicy shrimp. It's a real crowd pleaser!

    Why You'll Love These Shrimp Tacos

    • Ready in less than 30 minutes. We all need a few easy weeknight dinner recipes we can keep in our back pocket for busy nights, and these spicy shrimp tacos are the perfect choice. While the shrimp cooks, you can prepare the slaw and warm the tortillas to have the entire meal ready at once. It's my favorite way to get dinner on the table quickly!
    • Light and summery. Just like my fish tacos, these zesty shrimp tacos are packed with flavor without being over the top. They're light and refreshing yet loaded with so much flavor, thanks to the homemade taco seasoning and fresh ingredients. It's perfect for the warm summer months, but we like to make them all year long.
    • Minimal ingredients required. No one wants to shuttle arms full of ingredients to the counter to throw together dinner. This recipe looks like it has a lot of ingredients, but most of those are spices! The other ingredients are super simple pantry staples most of us already have on hand.
    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredient Notes

    If you love my fish tacos, then you will love these. To make this delicious Shrimp Tacos, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

    • shrimp - I used large white shrimp. Prepare the shrimp by peeling, deveining and removing the tails.
    • seasoning for the shrimp - made with a combination of cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, lime juice, oil, and salt.
    • lime crema slaw - made with a combination of shredded cabbage, cilantro, garlic, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), mayonnaise, lime juice, and salt. For the cabbage, you can use regular cabbage or purple cabbage. I used both.
    • soft taco tortillas - corn tortillas or flour tortillas. Use corn tortillas if you want to keep this dish gluten-free.
    • toppings - I topped these tacos with avocado. You could also top it with guacamole or pineapple salsa.

    You will also need measuring cups and spoons, and mixing bowls.

    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Shrimp Tacos

    1. Make the lime crema slaw. In a small mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and salt. In a medium mixing bowl, toss together cabbage, cilantro, and garlic. Pour in half the lime crema sauce into the slaw and toss to combine. Save the rest of the sauce to drizzle on top. 
    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com
    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Prep the shrimp. Peel and devein the shrimp and remove the tails. Use a paper towel to pat the shrimp completely dry.
    2. Cook the shrimp. You can cook the shrimp in a skillet over the stove, in the air fryer, or on the grill.
      • To pan-fry: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, about 1-2 minutes. Add shrimp and cook until it turns orange and opaque, about 4-5 minutes. Add seasoning including lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and salt. Toss to coat evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes and remove from heat.
      • To air fry: In a medium mixing bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and salt. Toss to combine and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, transfer to the air fryer basket and air fry at 350F for 13 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. 
      • To grill: In a medium mixing bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and salt. Toss to combine and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, thread the seasoned shrimp onto skewers and place them on a grill over medium-high heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp and pink and cooked through.
    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com
    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com
    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Heat tortillas. Heat the soft tortillas according to the package instructions, or heat in an ungreased skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side. You can also heat it directly on a gas burner for a few seconds to get char marks on the edges.
    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Assemble the tacos. Add a spoonful of slaw to each taco, top with 4 shrimp and sliced avocado. Drizzle a spoonful of lime crema sauce on top. Serve with lime wedges on the side, if desired.
    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com
    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com

    Recipe Variations

    • Mellow the heat. My seasoning mix includes cayenne pepper, which gives these tacos a kick of heat. Feel free to skip it to tone them down or replace it with a mild chili powder to keep the flavor without the heat.
    • Play around with toppings. I love the combination of fruit salsas and seafood! This easy shrimp taco recipe pairs wonderfully with pineapple salsa, mango salsa, and more.

    How to Serve

    These homemade Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw are delicious served on its own with some classic Mexican sides:

    • Guacamole
    • Pico de Gallo
    • Refried Beans
    • Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
    • Pinto Bean Soup (Sopa Tarasca)
    • Black Beans and Rice

    For more recipes, see our 25 Mexican Side Dishes.

    Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • Make a shrimp taco salad. Serve the crunchy slaw and cooked shrimp over a bed of greens, and add a handful of tortilla chips and a drizzle of extra crema sauce. Feel free to add your favorite toppings, like slices of avocado, fresh cilantro, sliced red onion, a little lime juice, slices of jalapeño pepper, and more.

      Storing Instructions

      How to Store

      Once prepared, store the leftover shrimp and slaw in separate containers in the fridge for 3-4 days.

      How to Reheat

      I prefer to lightly microwave the shrimp or warm it in a skillet on the stove while I warm the tortillas in the microwave. Place the cold slaw on top and serve!

      FAQ

      What size shrimp is best for tacos?

      You can use any type of raw shrimp, but I prefer to use large shrimp whenever possible. The larger size keeps them from overcooking and gives you a little more bite. Either use fresh shrimp or thaw frozen, uncooked shrimp in the fridge.

      Are shrimp tacos served hot or cold?

      Typically, shrimp is served warm in a warm tortilla with cold sauces, slaws, and toppings. Corn tortillas are prone to breaking, so it's important to warm them before folding.

      Do you add cheese to shrimp tacos?

      It's optional. Many people avoid pairing seafood and cheese, but to each their own! If you do add cheese, opt for something creamy or tangy, like cotija, or feta cheese.

      More Taco Recipes

      • 15 Best Taco Recipes
      • Fish Tacos with Lime Crema
      • Crispy Refried Bean Tacos
      • Carne Asada Tacos
      • Chicken Tacos
      • Fish Stick Tacos

      Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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      Recipe

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      Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com

      Shrimp Tacos


      5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

      5 from 10 reviews

      • Author: Sam | Ahead of Thyme
      • Total Time: 22 minutes
      • Yield: 8 tacos
      • Diet: Gluten Free
      Print Recipe
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      Description

      These Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw are made with soft tortillas, juicy and tender shrimp seasoned with classic Mexican spices, and a delicious cabbage and cilantro slaw tossed in homemade lime crema sauce. It's the perfect summer weeknight meal, ready on your table in about 20 minutes. Backyard patio, these soft tortilla tacos are waiting for you! 


      Ingredients

      For the lime crema slaw:

      • 3 cups cabbage, shredded
      • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
      • 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
      • ¼ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
      • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
      • 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
      • ¼ teaspoon salt

      For the shrimp:

      • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
      • 1 pound large white shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
      • 1 teaspoon lime juice (approximately juice from ¼ lime)
      • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
      • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
      • ½ teaspoon paprika
      • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne powder (or more or less, to taste)
      • ¼ teaspoon salt

      For assembling the tacos:

      • 8 (6-inch) soft tacos
      • 1 avocado, sliced
      • lime wedges (optional)

      Instructions

      Make the lime crema slaw:

      1. In a small mixing bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and salt.
      2. In a medium mixing bowl, toss together cabbage, cilantro, and garlic. Pour in half the lime crema sauce into the slaw and toss to combine. Save the rest of the sauce to drizzle on top. 

      Cook the shrimp:

      Use a paper towel to pat the shrimp completely dry. You can cook the shrimp in a skillet over the stove, in the air fryer, or on the grill.

      • To pan-fry: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot, about 1-2 minutes. Add shrimp and cook until it turns orange and opaque, about 4-5 minutes. Add seasoning including lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and salt. Toss to coat evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes and remove from heat.
      • To air fry: In a medium mixing bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and salt. Toss to combine and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, transfer to the air fryer basket and air fry at 350F for 13 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. 
      • To grill: In a medium mixing bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and salt. Toss to combine and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, thread the seasoned shrimp onto skewers and place them on a grill over medium-high heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp and pink and cooked through.

      Assemble the tacos:

      1. Heat the soft tortillas according to the package instructions, or heat in an ungreased skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side. You can also heat it directly on a gas burner for a few seconds to get char marks on the edges.
      2. Add a spoonful of slaw to each taco, top with 4 shrimp and sliced avocado. Drizzle a spoonful of lime crema sauce on top. Serve with lime wedges on the side, if desired.

      Notes

      How to store: Once prepared, store the leftover shrimp and slaw in separate containers in the fridge for 3-4 days.

      How to reheat: I prefer to lightly microwave the shrimp or warm it in a skillet on the stove while I warm the tortillas in the microwave. Place the cold slaw on top and serve!

      • Prep Time: 15 minutes
      • Cook Time: 7 minutes
      • Category: Appetizer
      • Method: Stovetop
      • Cuisine: Mexican

      Did you make this recipe?

      I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

      Quick and easy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema slaw are made with soft tortillas, seasoned shrimp, and creamy cabbage slaw — and ready in about 20 minutes! | aheadofthyme.com
      Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw
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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Pyraxia says

        August 04, 2022 at 3:38 pm

        So good! I have made this twice, so far. .Once as directed, and once I bought cooked shrimp and heated the shrimp on the stove. Both times were fantastic!

        Reply
      2. Amy says

        June 06, 2022 at 10:53 am

        Made this last night. It was super easy and so delicious!! Looking forward to leftovers for dinner tonight. I just found your website and I look forward to making more of your recipes. Thanks!!

        Reply
      3. Vickie D says

        May 04, 2022 at 3:43 pm

        Can you make the slaw a day in advance?

        Reply
      4. Karen says

        December 29, 2020 at 4:00 pm

        OMG!! Fabulous! Will definitely make these again.
        I doubled the crema sauce cuz I like my coleslaw creamy:) and needed extra for the drizzle on top!! My 16 year old grandson loved them!! Hard to please him, lol.

        Reply
        • Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says

          December 29, 2020 at 10:25 pm

          That is amazing! So happy the recipe was a hit in your home!

          Reply
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