Description
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Slaw are a vibrant and delicious twist on taco night, featuring tender marinated shrimp with zesty lime and fresh cilantro, nestled in soft tortillas. Topped with a creamy slaw made from crunchy cabbage and Greek yogurt, these tacos offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Quick, healthy, and satisfying, they are ideal for any gathering or a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Shrimp
- 1 lb wild-caught shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon lime zest (from 1 lime)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (from that same lime)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ bunch cilantro, finely chopped
For the Slaw
- 3 cups finely shredded green cabbage
- ½ bunch cilantro, finely chopped
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (from 1 whole lime)
Additional Ingredients
- Avocado, sliced
- 8 6-inch tortillas (corn or flour, your preference)
- Extra lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, lime zest, lime juice, honey, and chopped cilantro. Whisk until well combined to create the flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors while you prepare the slaw.
- Make the Creamy Slaw: In another bowl, mix shredded green cabbage, chopped cilantro, Greek yogurt, and lime juice. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated, forming a creamy and tangy slaw.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted and bubbling, add the marinated shrimp in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until shrimp are pink, opaque, and cooked through.
- Warm the Tortillas: Lightly warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or on a griddle until they are pliable and tender, but not crispy or brittle.
- Assemble the Tacos: Place cooked shrimp on each warmed tortilla. Top with a generous portion of creamy slaw and sliced avocado. Garnish with extra cilantro if desired.
- Serve: Serve the tacos immediately with extra lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the top for an added citrus burst.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp for best texture and flavor; if using frozen, fully thaw before marinating and cooking.
- Do not overcook shrimp; cook just until pink and opaque to avoid toughness.
- Adjust the honey in the marinade to balance lime acidity according to taste.
- Warm tortillas just before assembling to prevent cracking and improve pliability.
- The creamy slaw can be made up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated for convenience.
- Experiment with additional toppings like jalapeños, pickled onions, or feta cheese for extra flavor.
- Store leftovers separately—shrimp and slaw to maintain best textures.
- Reheat shrimp gently in a skillet; avoid microwave for best quality.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: shrimp tacos, cilantro lime shrimp, creamy slaw, Mexican tacos, quick dinner, healthy tacos, seafood tacos, lime shrimp
