Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Slaw and Avocado Recipe
These flavorful shrimp tacos feature perfectly seasoned and sautéed shrimp paired with a creamy, tangy cabbage slaw. Served on warm corn tortillas with fresh avocado and lime wedges, this quick and easy recipe offers a vibrant and satisfying meal ideal for weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 pound uncooked (31-40/pound size) shrimp, thawed, peeled, tails removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Slaw
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups finely shredded cabbage or coleslaw mix
- 1/3 cup chopped red onions
- 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
For Serving
- 8 medium corn tortillas
- 1 large avocado, chopped or sliced
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Thaw the shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, place them in a colander and rinse under cool running water until fully thawed. Pat dry to remove excess moisture.
- Prepare the slaw: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and salt. Stir until smooth. Add the shredded cabbage, chopped red onions, jalapeno, and cilantro. Toss everything together to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Cook the shrimp: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sprinkle with chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until they turn pink and opaque—about 5 minutes.
- Warm the tortillas: Heat the corn tortillas on a dry skillet or griddle until they are warm and pliable, about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side.
- Assemble the tacos: Place cooked shrimp on each tortilla, add a generous scoop of the cabbage slaw, and top with sliced avocado. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing on top.
Notes
- To add more heat, increase the amount of jalapeno or sprinkle some cayenne pepper over the shrimp.
- For a healthier slaw, substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise and sour cream.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Can be made ahead by preparing the slaw and seasoning the shrimp ahead of time; cook shrimp just before serving.
- Gluten free if using gluten free tortillas and check labels on condiments.
Keywords: shrimp tacos, seafood tacos, easy tacos, Mexican tacos, shrimp recipe, quick dinner, cabbage slaw, avocado tacos
