Easy and Flavorful Shrimp Tacos Recipe
These Shrimp Tacos are a mouthwatering blend of juicy, seasoned shrimp, crisp slaw, creamy avocado, and a zesty homemade sauce. Perfect for a quick dinner recipe, these tacos come together in just 30 minutes, making them ideal for busy weeknights or a festive Taco Tuesday celebration. With fresh ingredients and bold flavors, this shrimp taco recipe will become a family favorite!
Ingredients
For the Shrimp:
- 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Toppings:
- 8 small corn tortillas or flour tortillas if preferred
- 1 cup purple cabbage thinly sliced
- 1 avocado diced
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1/4 cup cotija cheese crumbled
- Fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
For the Shrimp Taco Sauce:
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1-2 teaspoons sriracha sauce adjust for heat preference
Instructions
Season and Cook the Shrimp
- Thaw the shrimp if frozen and pat them dry with paper towels.
- In a medium bowl, toss shrimp with garlic, sea salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper until well coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare the Toppings
- While the shrimp are cooking, prep your toppings:
- Slice the cabbage thinly.
- Dice the avocado and red onion.
- Crumble the cotija cheese.
- Chop fresh cilantro and cut lime wedges.
Make the Shrimp Taco Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic powder, and sriracha sauce until smooth.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less sriracha.
Warm the Tortillas
- Warm tortillas by either lightly charring them over an open flame or heating them in a dry skillet until golden brown.
Assemble the Shrimp Tacos
- Place a few cooked shrimp on each tortilla.
- Add a generous amount of slaw, avocado, and red onion.
- Drizzle with the homemade shrimp taco sauce.
- Sprinkle with cotija cheese and fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
Notes
- Shrimp Size Matters: Medium to large shrimp work best for tacos.
- Adjust Spice Level: Control the heat by increasing or reducing the cayenne pepper and sriracha.
- Tortilla Options: Use flour tortillas or hard taco shells if you prefer a different texture.
- Grill Option: For a smoky twist, grill the shrimp over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side.