Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Slaw

grilled shrimp tacos with avocado, salsa verde, cilantro, and cheese on a plate

Zesty, creamy, and a touch spicy these Cilantro Shrimp Tacos are your weeknight dinner hero! Packed with bold flavor, creamy slaw, and a luscious honey-lime shrimp glaze, it’s taco night done right.

Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 8 min | Total Time: 28 min

Ingredients

For the Shrimp:

  • 1 lb wild-caught shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • ½ bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped

For the Slaw:

  • 3 cups shredded green cabbage
  • ½ bunch cilantro, finely chopped
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or full-fat preferred)
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • Pinch of salt

To Assemble:

  • 8 corn or flour tortillas
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • Extra lime wedges for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season and Sear the Shrimp

Pat shrimp dry and toss with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook shrimp in batches (90 seconds per side) until golden and opaque.

2. Make the Sauce

Lower heat. Add butter, lime zest, lime juice, and honey to shrimp. Simmer 2–3 minutes until saucy and glossy. Stir in chopped cilantro and remove from heat.

3. Prep the Slaw

In a bowl, mix cabbage, cilantro, yogurt, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Toss until lightly coated — creamy but not soggy.

4. Assemble Your Tacos

Warm tortillas (we love the gas-flame char ), then layer in slaw, shrimp, and a drizzle of that dreamy sauce. Add avocado and a final squeeze of lime.

Pro Tips

  • Quick Thaw Shrimp: Submerge in cold water for 15 minutes.
  • Shred Like a Pro: Use a food processor for super-thin slaw.
  • Charred Tortillas: Gas stovetop > microwave. Trust.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

Serving SizeCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSugar
2 tacos42930.3g43g17.3g7.9g12.6g

Disclaimer:

Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.

grilled shrimp tacos with avocado, salsa verde, cilantro, and cheese on a plate

Cilantro Shrimp Tacos

Zesty, creamy, and a touch spicy, these Cilantro Shrimp Tacos are your weeknight dinner hero! Packed with bold flavor, creamy slaw, and a luscious honey-lime shrimp glaze.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 tacos
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 429

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp
  • 1 lb wild-caught shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp lime zest
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • ½ bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
For the Slaw
  • 3 cups shredded green cabbage
  • ½ bunch cilantro, finely chopped
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or full-fat preferred)
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • Pinch of salt
To Assemble
  • 8 corn or flour tortillas
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • Extra lime wedges for serving

Method
 

Season and Sear the Shrimp
  1. Pat shrimp dry and toss with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook shrimp in batches (90 seconds per side) until golden and opaque.
Make the Sauce
  1. Lower heat. Add butter, lime zest, lime juice, and honey to shrimp. Simmer 2–3 minutes until saucy and glossy. Stir in chopped cilantro and remove from heat.
Prep the Slaw
  1. In a bowl, mix cabbage, cilantro, yogurt, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Toss until lightly coated — creamy but not soggy.
Assemble Your Tacos
  1. Warm tortillas, then layer in slaw, shrimp, and a drizzle of that dreamy sauce. Add avocado and a final squeeze of lime.

Nutrition

Serving: 2gCalories: 429kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 30.3gFat: 17.3gFiber: 7.9gSugar: 12.6g

Notes

Quick Thaw Shrimp: Submerge in cold water for 15 minutes. Shred Like a Pro: Use a food processor for super-thin slaw. Charred Tortillas: Gas stovetop > microwave. Trust.

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