Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw (Printable)
Spiced shrimp paired with a tangy cabbage slaw and warmed tortillas create a fresh, vibrant meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Shrimp
01 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/8 teaspoon 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 tablespoons mayonnaise
15 - 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
16 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
17 - 1 teaspoon honey
18 - 1/4 teaspoon 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 until pliable.
05 - Layer shrimp and cabbage slaw in each tortilla. Garnish with lime wedges, jalapeños, and extra cilantro as desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The contrast between warm, seasoned shrimp and cool, crisp slaw creates this perfect balance that makes every bite exciting
- Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, but the flavors taste like they took all day to develop
- The slaw can be made ahead, so when dinner time hits, you are practically done before you even start
02 -
- Overcooked shrimp are sad and rubbery, so pull them from the heat the moment they turn opaque and curl slightly
- The slaw needs at least 15 minutes to soften slightly and let the dressing work its magic
- Warm tortillas make or break these tacos, so do not skip this step even if you are in a huge hurry
03 -
- Pat the shrimp completely dry before adding the marinade, or the spices will not adhere properly
- Double the slaw recipe and keep it for lunch the next day—it only gets better