Flavorful Cilantro Lime Slaw Shrimp Tacos: Your Go-To Quick & Easy Recipe
Prepare your taste buds for an explosion of fresh, vibrant flavors with these incredible Cilantro Lime Slaw Shrimp Tacos, beautifully crowned with a zesty lime cream sauce. This recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an experience of crunchy textures, bright citrus notes, and succulent, perfectly seasoned shrimp. It’s the ideal dish for those warm evenings when you crave something light, satisfying, and incredibly delicious, without spending hours in the kitchen.
Each bite offers a symphony of crunchy slaw, tender shrimp, and a tangy-creamy dressing that makes this dish truly unforgettable. It’s a fantastic way to bring a burst of sunshine to your dinner table, perfect for a casual weeknight or a lively weekend gathering. The best part? These amazing shrimp tacos come together surprisingly fast, making them a hero recipe for busy schedules.
Indeed, the longest part of this entire culinary adventure is the minimal prep work involved. The star of the show, the shrimp, cooks in under 5 minutes – a true testament to its “quick and easy” promise. This speed makes it an absolute lifesaver for those hectic weeknights when you want a homemade meal that feels gourmet but takes hardly any effort.
Seeking more delightful shrimp recipes? Don’t miss our Shrimp Salad for another fresh, light option!
Mastering the Marinade: Flavorful Shrimp for Your Tacos
The secret to truly extraordinary shrimp tacos lies in a simple yet powerful marinade. In a medium bowl, you’ll combine a tablespoon of olive oil with a vibrant blend of spices: zesty cayenne pepper, smoky chili powder, earthy cumin, and perfectly balanced kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. These spices don’t just add heat; they build a complex flavor profile that elevates the natural sweetness of the shrimp.
Once your spice blend is ready, add the peeled and deveined large raw shrimp, tossing them gently to ensure each piece is evenly coated. This brief marinade, lasting just 10-15 minutes, is crucial. While it may seem short, it allows the flavors to truly penetrate the shrimp, preparing them for a quick sear that locks in moisture and taste. This short marinating time is perfect for multitasking – you can prepare your slaw and creamy lime sauce while the shrimp soak up all that deliciousness.
The Heart of the Taco: Fresh & Zesty Cilantro Lime Slaw
These easy shrimp tacos have become an absolute sensation at our table, and I wholeheartedly plan on making them a staple all summer long. They share that same addictive quality as our popular Shrimp Stacks – truly a testament to how good shrimp can be! It’s shaping up to be a “Summer Shrimp Fest” at our house, and frankly, I could happily eat shrimp every single day if my family shared my unwavering enthusiasm. But even if they don’t, these tacos are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
The slaw is a critical component of these tacos, providing a refreshing crunch and a burst of vibrant flavor that perfectly complements the spiced shrimp. In a medium bowl, combine shredded green cabbage and purple cabbage for both texture and beautiful color. Add diced green onions (we prefer the green tops for a milder flavor), a generous amount of fresh chopped cilantro, and a seeded, diced jalapeño for a touch of heat. A squeeze of fresh lime juice brings all these ingredients together, creating a tangy and invigorating slaw that you’ll want to put on everything. Toss everything to combine thoroughly, then set it aside to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the other elements.
Looking for more taco inspiration? You’ll love our Street Tacos recipe or our Blackened Fish Tacos Recipe!
Crafting the Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
No taco is complete without a luscious, flavorful sauce, and our Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce is designed to bring everything together with a delightful tang and creamy texture. In a small bowl, simply combine half a cup of sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter alternative), a good helping of fresh chopped cilantro, and the remaining two tablespoons of fresh lime juice. Whisk until smooth and well-combined. This sauce is not just a topping; it’s the unifying element that bridges the gap between the spicy shrimp and the refreshing slaw, adding a cool, zesty finish to every bite. The fresh cilantro and lime brighten the rich sour cream, creating a balanced and utterly delicious complement to the tacos.
Perfectly Cooked Shrimp: Quick & Tender
With your marinade absorbed, your slaw chilling, and your sauce whisked, it’s time to cook the shrimp. This step is incredibly fast, so be prepared! Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated shrimp in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the shrimp for just 1-2 minutes on the first side until they start to turn pink and opaque. Flip them over and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the second side, until they are entirely pink and curled into a C-shape. The key here is not to overcook them; overcooked shrimp can become rubbery and lose their delicate texture.
As soon as the shrimp are cooked through, immediately transfer them from the hot skillet to a plate. Leaving them in the hot pan, even off the heat, can cause them to continue cooking, leading to a less desirable texture. This quick cooking method ensures your shrimp remain succulent, juicy, and bursting with flavor, ready to be nestled into your warm tortillas.
Assembling Your Delectable Tacos
The moment has arrived: assembling your incredible Cilantro Lime Slaw Shrimp Tacos! Start by gently warming your tortillas, whether you prefer flour or corn. Warming them makes them more pliable and enhances their flavor. A quick pass in a dry skillet, microwave, or oven works perfectly. For a more robust base, we recommend layering two tortillas per taco.
Next, spoon a generous amount of the crisp cilantro lime slaw onto the tortillas. Follow with a few pieces of your perfectly cooked, spiced shrimp. Now for the toppings: creamy slices of fresh avocado are a must, along with extra pickled jalapenos if you enjoy an extra kick. Finally, drizzle generously with your homemade lime cream sauce. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and a sprig of cilantro for an inviting presentation and an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!
Tips for the Best Cilantro Lime Slaw Shrimp Tacos
- Fresh Ingredients are Key: The success of this recipe heavily relies on the freshness of your ingredients, especially the cilantro, lime, and shrimp. Freshly squeezed lime juice makes a huge difference.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When cooking the shrimp, ensure they are in a single layer with enough space to sear properly. Cooking in batches if necessary will prevent them from steaming rather than searing.
- Adjust Spice to Your Liking: The cayenne pepper in the marinade and fresh jalapeño in the slaw provide a pleasant warmth. Feel free to increase or decrease these amounts based on your preference. For extra heat, leave some seeds in the jalapeño.
- Warm Tortillas: Always warm your tortillas before assembling. This makes them softer, easier to fold, and enhances their flavor. You can warm them in a dry skillet, microwave, or wrapped in foil in the oven.
- Prep Ahead: The slaw and lime cream sauce can be prepared a few hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This cuts down on last-minute prep, making assembly even quicker.
- Serving Suggestions: While these tacos are a meal in themselves, they pair wonderfully with a side of Mexican rice, black beans, or a simple corn salad. Don’t forget some tortilla chips and your favorite salsa!
These Cilantro Lime Slaw Shrimp Tacos truly embody what a great meal should be: fresh, flavorful, and fuss-free. They are perfect for bringing joy to your weeknight dinners or making your summer gatherings a culinary hit. Give them a try, and prepare to be amazed!
And if you can’t get enough tacos, don’t forget to try our Street Tacos recipe!
Easy Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Cilantro Lime Slaw Shrimp Tacos
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Ingredients
- 1 pound large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 16 small corn tortillas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Slaw:
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 2 cups shredded purple cabbage
- 2 green onions, diced (we use the green tops only)
- 3/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, diced and seeded
- Juice of 1 lime
Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce:
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Toppings: avocados (optional)
Instructions
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In a medium bowl combine the olive oil, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the shrimp and toss to coat evenly.
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In a medium bowl add the green cabbage, purple cabbage, green onions, cilantro, jalapeno and juice of 1 lime and toss to combine. Set aside.
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In a small bowl combine the sour cream, cilantro and remaining 2 tablespoons of lime juice.
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the shrimp into the hot skillet and sear on one side for 1-2 minutes. Turn the shrimp over, sear on the other side until pink all the way through, no longer opaque, 1-2 minutes.
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Remove from heat.
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Warm the tortillas.
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Assemble tacos, layer two tortillas on top of each other, top with the slaw, a few shrimp, avocado and cream sauce.