Spicy Shrimp Tacos

These spicy tacos are weeknight dinner gold when you need something fast that delivers on flavor. The seasoned shrimp and the crunch of the slaw in each bite makes it unbelievable.

Why These Are the Best Shrimp Tacos

I love these shrimp tacos because

This spicy shrimp taco recipe has all the right notes. The shrimp are spiced with a mix of things that burn without otherwise overwhelming your taste buds. And the whole dish comes together in about 20 minutes, so it’s great for busy nights.

Unlike some other shrimp tacos, which can be bland or mushy, these stay nice and crispy and flavorful thanks to good technique and the right toppings.

What You Need for Spicy Shrimp Tacos

For the Spicy Shrimp:

1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined

2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cayenne (or to taste)

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp olive oil

For the Spicy Coleslaw:

3 cups shredded cabbage

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/4 cup mayo

2 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp honey

1/2 tsp chipotle powder

Salt to taste

For Assembly:

8 corn tortillas

1 avocado sliced

1/4 cup red onion diced

Fresh cilantro

Lime wedges

Hot sauce (optional)

WARM SPICY SHRIMP TACOS Recipe by The Editors

How to Make Spicy Shrimp Tacos

Step 1: Season the Shrimp

Combine the spices in a small bowl. Dry shrimp with paper towels and toss in spice mixture until evenly coated. Let sit for 5 minutes while you prepare remaining ingredients.

Step 2: Prepare the Spicy Slaw

In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage and carrots. In another bowl whisk mayo lime juice honey and chipotle powder. Drizzle dressing over top of cabbage mixture and toss to combine. Season with salt.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add seasoned shrimp and saute 2-3 minutes per side until pink and fully cooked. Do not overcook or they will become rubbery.

Step 4: Warm Tortillas

Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side or wrap in damp paper towels and microwave, in 30-second increments, for 30 seconds.

Step 5: Construct Your Tacos

3-4 shrimp on each tortilla. Layer on spicy coleslaw, avocado slices red onion and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges and hot sauce.

Tips for Perfect Shrimp Tacos

Don’t Overcook the Shrimp

This is the most common error. Shrimp cook really, really quickly – we’re talking 2-3 minutes per side max here. They should be pink and translucent when cooked.

Double Up on Tortillas

Two corn tortillas are sturdier than one, ensuring your tortilla will not break under the weight of all those toppings. This is especially crucial with saucy tacos like these.

Make the Slaw Ahead

The spicy coleslaw for shrimp tacos is even better after 30 minutes of resting. The flavors marry and the cabbage relaxes a bit.

Best Sauce for Shrimp Tacos

As the spicy slaw serves as both a topping and a sauce, you can up the flavor ante using:

Chipotle mayo

Avocado crema

Simple lime crema

Your favorite hot sauce

The trick is to not overdo it – you want to taste the spiced shrimp, not have it drowning.

Corn vs Flour Tortillas

Shrimp tacos are typically served on corn tortillas, and in most cases, those are the right garners. They have a slightly nutty flavor that goes well with seafood and they’re more authentic. You can use flour tortillas here too (corn do not work unless you warm them through and press them between paper towels), but often they weigh down delicate shrimp.

What Seasoning Is Good for Shrimp Tacos?

Spice Mix for Spicy Shrimp Tacos

Mix up the spice blend for your spicy shrimp tacos by using curry powder, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper.

Chili powder, for the heat and flavor

Cumin for earthiness

Paprika for color (and a tiny bit of pepper flavor)

Cayenne for extra heat

Garlic powder, for a touch of savoriness

Onion powder for sweetness

The amount of cayenne pepper is flexible, so you can make it hotter or milder.

The Best Toppings for Shrimp Tacos

Classic ln addition to the simple stuff mentioned above:

Pickled red onions

Diced tomatoes

Shredded cheese

Sour cream or Mexican crema

Jalapeño slices

Radish slices for crunch

Pico de gallo

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Season Shrimp With Wet Shrimp

Always Pat Shrimp Dry Before Seasoning. Wet shrimp will not achieve the desired sear, and the seasoning will not adhere properly.

Crowding the Pan

Cook shrimp in batches, if necessary. They steam instead of sear on account of the crowding.

Skipping the Double Tortilla

Single tortillas cannot support the volume of toppings. Go with two corn tortillas for added integrity.

Not Seasoning Them Well Enough

Shrimp are relatively tasteless, and if you don’t add plenty of other flavors, that’s exactly how they will taste. Be generous with the spice blend.

Make It Your Own

This recipe for spicy shrimp tacos is very versatile. Try these variations:

Add pineapple for sweet heat

Substitute blackening seasoning for the spice blend

Cream it up with avocado lime sauce

Add corn for extra texture

More Delicious Taco Recipes

If you love these spicy shrimp tacos with coleslaw, I know you’ll love our Crockpot Chicken Tacos – they’re great for meal prep and for feeding a group.

For more fast and easy weeknight dinners: Crispy Chicken Katsu or Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine. Or if you are in the mood for a little heat, try our Black Pepper Chicken.

Final Thoughts

These spicy shrimp tacos with slaw are everything you want in a quick dinner: packed with flavor, finished in 20 minutes, and a hit with everyone who tries ’em. The pairing of the well-seasoned shrimp and crisp coleslaw perfects every bite.

The best part? You likely have most of these ingredients on hand already. So next time you find yourself wondering how to make taco shrimp that actually tastes restaurant quality try this recipe.

Spicy Shrimp Tacos

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

These spicy shrimp tacos are a quick and flavorful dinner perfect for busy weeknights. With bold spices, crispy shrimp, and tangy slaw, they pack a delicious punch in every bite.

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Ingredients

For the Spicy Shrimp:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Spicy Coleslaw:

• 3 cups shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp chipotle powder
• Salt, to taste

For Assembly:

• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Lime wedges
• Hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

• Season the Shrimp:
  Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Combine all the shrimp spices in a small bowl. Toss the shrimp in the spice mixture until evenly coated. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  
• Make the Spicy Coleslaw:
  In a large bowl, mix shredded cabbage and carrots. In a separate bowl, whisk mayo, lime juice, honey, and chipotle powder. Pour dressing over the cabbage and toss to combine. Season with salt.
  
• Cook the Shrimp:
  Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Do not overcook.
  
• Warm the Tortillas:
  Warm tortillas in a dry skillet (30 seconds per side) or microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel.
  
• Assemble the Tacos:
  Add 3–4 shrimp per tortilla. Top with spicy coleslaw, avocado slices, red onion, and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges and optional hot sauce.
  

Notes

• Do not overcook the shrimp—they become rubbery.
  
• Double tortillas help hold everything together.
  
• Let the slaw sit for 30 minutes to enhance the flavor.
  
• Great toppings include pickled red onions, cheese, jalapeños, and lime crema.

Nutrition Information

Amount Per ServingCalories 375Total Fat 22gCholesterol 180mgSodium 560mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 4gSugar 5gProtein 25g

FAQ

What seasonings are good with shrimp for tacos?

The most popular spices for shrimp tacos are chili powder cumin paprika and cayenne garlic powder and onion powder. The application of both provides you with heat earthiness, a degree of savory depth but without entombing the essence of the delicate shrimp.

What are some common problems to avoid when cooking shrimp tacos?

The most common errors are overcooking the shrimp or trying sear wet shrimp that just won’t sear over-crowding the pan and/or not seasoning boldly enough. Always use double tortillas to avoid tearing as well.

What are the best things to put on shrimp tacos?

Fantastic toppings are spicy coleslaw avocado cilantro diced red onion lime wedges pickled onions radishes and sauces like chipotle mayo or avocado crema. Tune it up, but not so much that the meaty shrimp loses flavor.

Are shrimp tacos best with yellow corn or white flour?

Corn is traditional here and generally better when it comes to shrimp tacos Recipes for pearl-white, delicate shrimp filling corn tortillas are mercifully spare on the ground. Nutty in flavor, to serve with fish, and they are more authentic. Flour tortillas can do the job but they’re just plain old heavy, especially on the tender shrimp.

Why Two Corn Tortillas When Making Tacos?

A base of two corn tortillas keeps the bottom bite from breaking (and it gives you a sturdy foundation for everything on top). Single tortillas are often destined to fail holding up to the weight of shrimp slaw and such, particularly when there’s a sauce to be contended with.