Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw (Printable)

Succulent shrimp paired with tangy cabbage slaw inside warm tortillas for a fresh, flavorful weeknight dish.

# What You Need:

→ For the Shrimp

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp chili powder
04 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder
07 - 1/4 tsp salt
08 - 1/8 tsp black pepper
09 - Juice of 1/2 lime

→ For the Cabbage Slaw

10 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
11 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
12 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
13 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
15 - 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
16 - 1 tbsp lime juice
17 - 1 tsp honey
18 - 1/4 tsp salt
19 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ For Serving

20 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
21 - Lime wedges
22 - Sliced jalapeños (optional)
23 - Extra cilantro (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Add shrimp, tossing to coat evenly. Set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice, honey, salt, and black pepper. Add green and red cabbage, red onion, and cilantro. Toss well to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until shrimp are opaque and cooked through. Remove from heat.
04 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
05 - To assemble, layer shrimp and cabbage slaw in each tortilla. Garnish with lime wedges, jalapeños, and extra cilantro as desired.
06 - Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The spice rub on the shrimp creates this incredible caramelized crust that you will want to eat straight from the pan
  • Cabbage slaw stays crunchy for hours, making these perfect for taco bars or casual dinner parties
  • Everything comes together faster than delivery would arrive
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp or they will steam instead of sear, losing that precious caramelized exterior
  • Let the slaw sit for at least 15 minutes before serving so the cabbage softens slightly and absorbs the dressing
  • Dry your shrimp thoroughly with paper towels before adding the marinade or the spices will slide right off
03 -
  • Buy frozen shrimp and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator for the best texture and price
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one because it holds heat better and creates superior sear marks
  • Squeeze your fresh lime over the tacos immediately before eating because the acid brightens every element

Go Back