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So quick and easy to make, these Mexican shrimp tacos are perfect for Cinco de Mayo and Taco Tuesday. Tortillas are loaded with seasoned pan-fried shrimp, fresh veggies and drizzled with a cilantro lime sauce.

seasoned shrimp in a taco with creamy sauce

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There’s never a bad time to enjoy tacos, and these simple shrimp tacos are all kinds of delicious.

Shrimp are pan-fried with cumin, paprika, and garlic powder, before being loaded into tacos with cabbage and avocado. To finish, I’ve made a quick sour cream sauce with lemon and cilantro for one fresh and tasty bite.

Be sure to try my Blackened Salmon Tacos with Avocado Salsa too!

easy tacos made with shrimp

Why you will love this shrimp tacos recipe!

  • Quick: It takes no more than 20 minutes to make a batch of these yummy and easy shrimp tacos with cabbage, so there are no excuses.
  • Easy: Simply pan fry the shrimp in the seasonings, chop some veggies, and load your tortillas. They are a great option for an easy weeknight dinner.
  • Healthy: High in protein and low in saturated fat, you can feel good about enjoying these tacos!

Ingredients

  • Shrimp: Peel and devein the shrimp if not already done and remove the tails.
  • Seasonings: Cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  • Toppings: Red cabbage, avocado, limes, and fresh cilantro.
  • Tortillas: I use small soft tortillas for these tacos, corn, flour, gluten-free, or low-carb – all work well. You can use hardshell if you prefer.
  • Sauce: Sour cream, mayo, lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper.
ingredients for shrimp tacos

How to make shrimp tacos

  • In a medium bowl whisk together cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add shrimp and toss until evenly coated.
  • Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook until opaque and cooked through, tossing once halfway through cooking, about 3 – 4 minutes.
  • In a bowl whisk together all sauce ingredients (sour cream, mayo, lime juice, cilantro) while seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  • To assemble tacos, layer red cabbage, shrimp, avocado slices, and chopped cilantro over warmed tortillas. Drizzle with Cilantro-Lime Sauce.
process shots of making shrimp tacos
tacos on a cutting board

Can you use frozen shrimp?

I prefer to use fresh shrimp, but you can use frozen if that’s what you have. Make sure that if you use frozen it is fully defrosted before you season and cook it. Ideally, it should be defrosted in the fridge overnight, but you can quickly do it by placing them under cold running water.

Can you make shrimp tacos ahead of time?

These healthy shrimp tacos are best served as soon as you’ve cooked the shrimp, but you can slice and prep the toppings a few hours before so that they are ready to build. I like to make a taco bar so that everyone can add their own toppings, it’s fun for them and less work for you!

close up shot of taco with shrimp and cabbage

Recipe Variations

I love the fresh flavor of these prawn tacos and they are super easy to make your own. If you like your food on the spicy side, add some cayenne to the shrimp and serve with some sliced jalapenos. Feel free to add extra toppings like lettuce or shredded cheese or pile on some Mango Salsa.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Take care not to overcook the shrimp, they only take a few minutes to cook through and can become chewy in texture if overcooked.
  • Warm the tortillas in the oven or on a gas cooktop before filling. This will help them to be more pliable so they won’t rip when you fold them.
  • I prefer to use full-fat sour cream and mayo for the creamiest flavor, but you can use low-fat if you prefer.
  • This shrimp taco seasoning is so good and flavorful. Don’t omit any of the spices.
  • The shrimp taco sauce is made with equal parts sour cream and mayo but you can substitute them with yogurt and avocado oil mayo for a healthier alternative.
shrimp tacos with creamy cilantro lime sauce

More Shrimp Recipes

shrimp tacos recipe with cilantro lime sauce on a board
5 from 1 vote

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Shrimp Tacos

So quick and easy to make, these Mexican shrimp tacos are perfect for Cinco de Mayo and taco Tuesday. Tortillas are loaded with seasoned pan-fried shrimp, fresh veggies and drizzled with a cilantro lime sauce.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 tacos

Save This Recipe

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Ingredients  

Sauce

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl whisk together cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add shrimp and toss until evenly coated.
  • Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook until opaque and cooked through, tossing once halfway through cooking, about 3 – 4 minutes.
  • In a bowl whisk together all sauce ingredients (sour cream, mayo, lime juice, cilantro) while seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  • To assemble tacos, layer red cabbage, shrimp, avocado slices, and chopped cilantro over warmed tortillas. Drizzle with Cilantro-Lime Sauce.

Video

Notes

  • Take care not to overcook the shrimp, they only take a few minutes to cook through and can become chewy in texture if overcooked.
  • Warm the tortillas in the oven or on a gas cooktop before filling. This will help them to be more pliable so they won’t rip when you fold them.
  • I prefer to use full-fat sour cream and mayo for the creamiest flavor, but you can use low-fat if you prefer.
  • This shrimp taco seasoning is so good and flavorful. Don’t omit any of the spices.
  • The shrimp taco sauce is made with equal parts sour cream and mayo but you can substitute them with yogurt and avocado oil mayo for a healthier alternative.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 916mg | Potassium: 462mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 514IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this recipe is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. I am not a doctor or a dietitian. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your diet or health. For more details, please read my full disclosure page.

About Neli Howard

Meet Neli Howard, the food blogger and recipe developer behind Delicious Meets Healthy. With over 12 years of cooking experience, Neli shares easy, wholesome recipes made with real ingredients to help you cook stress-free, flavorful meals the whole family will love. Her work has been featured in Healthline, Forbes, CNN, and more.

5 from 1 vote

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2 Comments

  1. Lidia says:

    5 stars
    Tried the Shrimp Taco Recipe and the family all loved it. It was quick, easy and delicious.

    1. Neli | Delicious Meets Healthy says:

      So glad to hear you all loved it!!