It's officially taco season and we are kicking things off with shrimp tacos with lime crema slaw. These soft tortilla tacos are topped with crispy and tender shrimp seasoned with cumin, paprika, and garlic, a delicious cabbage and cilantro slaw, and a sour cream and lime juice crema sauce. It's the perfect summer weeknight meal, ready on your table in less than 30 minutes. Backyard patio, these tacos are waiting for you!
Ingredients in Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw
If you love my fish tacos, then you will love these. Here is what you will need:
- 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 wheat 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.
How to Make the Best Shrimp Tacos
- Prepare the shrimp: In a medium bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and salt. Toss to combine. Let it sit for a few minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Then, cook in a 350 F air fryer for 13 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. See notes below on pan frying or grilling the shrimp instead.
- Make the lime crema slaw: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and salt. In a medium 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.
- Heat the soft 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.
- Assemble the tacos: Add a spoonful of slaw to each taco, top with 4 shrimp, sliced avocado, and drizzle a spoonful of sauce on top. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
FAQ and Tips for Making Shrimp Tacos
- Are these tacos spicy? The cayenne powder adds a little kick. Adjust it to your preferences. Leave it out if you want the shrimp mild, or add more to increase the intensity.
- How do I pan-fry the shrimp instead? Heat some oil a large skillet and over medium heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 6-8 minutes until shrimp are pink cooked through.
- Can I grill the shrimp instead? Absolutely. 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.
- Are these gluten-free? Yes, if you are using corn tortillas.
- How to serve shrimp tacos. Serve with a side of homemade guacamole or pico de gallo salsa for extra dipping.
More Taco Recipes
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.
Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more recipe updates.
Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema Slaw
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 8 (6-inch) tacos
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Quick and easy shrimp tacos with lime crema slaw are ready in less than 30 minutes and are packed with flavourful crispy shrimp and creamy cabbage slaw.
Ingredients
Shrimp:
- 1 lb. large white shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 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
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
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Tacos:
- 8 (6-inch) soft tacos
- 1 avocado, sliced
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the shrimp: In a medium bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, lime juice, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and salt. Toss to combine. Let it sit for a few minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients. Then, cook in a 350 F air fryer for 13 minutes, shaking the basket halfway. See notes for pan frying or grilling the shrimp instead.
- Make the lime crema slaw: In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, and salt. In a medium 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.
- Heat the soft 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.
- Assemble the tacos: Add a spoonful of slaw to each taco, top with 4 shrimp, sliced avocado, and drizzle a spoonful of sauce on top. Serve with lime wedges on the side.
Notes
How to pan-fry the shrimp. Heat some oil a large skillet and over medium heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 6-8 minutes until shrimp are pink cooked through.
How to grill the shrimp. 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.
How to serve shrimp tacos. Serve with a side of homemade guacamole or pico de gallo salsa for extra dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Tacos
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: shrimp tacos, tacos, lime crema, mexican tacos, taco tuesday
Sara says
The crunchy slaw with the greek yogurt and sour cream is such a delicious compliment to the spicy shrimp in these tacos! We are always looking for new taco recipes, and this one is so delicious!
★★★★★
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
This one is definitely a keeper! Enjoy! 🙂
LaKita says
Tacos are definitely a favorite in my home and these look amazingly delicious! The lime crema slaw sound so flavorful and the perfect additional to shrimp tacos.
★★★★★
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thanks LaKita. These tacos are so good, you will love them! Let me know if you make them.
Daniela says
Sam your shrimp taco pics are so nice and I love all the in process shots! They are so helpful thank you :).
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
You are so welcome! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Monica says
No doubt about it, tacos are always a favorite in my house! Shrimp are such a great filling, and the lime crema is the perfect topping - light but flavorful. Thanks for a great recipe!
★★★★★
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
You are so welcome! So glad you liked the recipe!
Nicole says
Shrimp tacos are one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
You are so welcome! Let me know if you make it 🙂
GUNJAN C Dudani says
I don't eat shrimps but i shared your recipe with my brother who loves sea foods. He is making it tonight for dinner for his friends. I will let you know how it went.
★★★★★
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Thank you so much for sharing! Let me know how he liked it 🙂