This shrimp tacos recipe with cabbage will knock your socks off. Add no spice or a lot of spice for the perfect taco Tuesday dinner!
Why This Recipe Works
One of the first things my cute hubby and I bonded over was Mexican food and drink. We enjoyed spicy food and margaritas together on most of our first handful of dates. taco dip, guacamole and grapefruit lime margaritas were favorites for taco night.
We enjoyed it all and so much more. Still now, many years later, our favorite type of food to share with each other always has some sort of Mexican flavor.
We make tacos a lot at home, but usually with chicken or beef. This recipe provides a unique, healthy and easy weeknight dinner!
This shrimp tacos recipe with cabbage is now a part of my dinner rotation, which is saying a lot considering I rarely make the same meal twice (occupational issue). These are perfect for a weeknight meal or a large gathering with lots of people.
Recipe Ingredients
Shrimp – Use tail-on, pre-cooked and thawed large shrimp for this recipe. Jumbo shrimp may be used!
Taco seasoning – If you want to know exactly what is going into your seasoning, make a batch of homemade taco seasoning.
Jalapeno peppers – Add tons of jalapenos and/or use spicy salsa for a super-spicy taco or you can omit the jalapenos and use a mild salsa for a mild taco. You can also add diced green chiles or chili powder for extra spice.
Toppings – Add guacamole or salsa, or both, as toppings! Go crazy with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, avocados, shredded cheese, lime wedges, chopped red onions or green onions, cilantro leaves and of course cilantro lime dressing.
Cabbage – Use red cabbage for a burst of color, but green cabbage tastes great, as well.
Tortillas – Flour tortillas and corn tortillas can be used interchangeably.
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Enjoy taco Tuesday with a healthy taco made of shrimp and cabbage slaw and all the toppings!
How To Make Shrimp Tacos With Cabbage
Make the Cilantro Lime Sauce (if using)
Follow the instructions in this recipe to make a delicious batch of cilantro lime sauce-dressing.
Make The Tacos
Place the shrimp in a rimmed, shallow pan or a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over top of the shrimp and toss to coat. Season the shrimp by spooning the taco seasoning evenly over tops, ensuring all surfaces are coated. Let sit in pan for 5 minutes.
Pour the contents of the pan into a large skillet. Cook the seasoned shrimp in skillet over medium high heat for 3-5 minutes, or until shrimp are heated through. Transfer to a medium bowl (include liquid).
Place a warmed tortilla on a plate and top with shrimp, cheese (if using), tomatoes, lettuce, shredded cabbage, onions, guacamole, jalapenos (if using) and salsa. Squeeze fresh lime juice over tops. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Top with fresh cilantro, cilantro lime sauce and an extra squeeze of lime juice!
Recipe Notes
- Consider making a homemade cabbage slaw by combining different types of cabbage and mixing with olive oil or vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Crunchy slaw adds such a delicious and unique texture and flavor to this dish!
- I often omit the cheese from these tacos because cilantro lime sauce adds the perfect amount of flavor.
- Spice up your tacos by adding extra black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Great options for cheeses for tacos: cheddar, mozzarella, pepperjack or cotija cheese.
- Garlic powder or fresh garlic would be a great addition to the shrimp.
- Shrimp cooks very quickly, so keep a close eye to ensure it does not overcook. Heed this advice, especially when using a pre-cooked variety. When using raw shrimp, cooking time will increase. You will know it is done when it turns bright pink in color.
What To Serve With Cabbage
So many main course options as well as secondary sides pair perfectly with it! If you are searching for that perfect recipe to pair it with, read on for some great ideas about what to serve with cabbage.
Included in the article is recipes for Reuben sandwiches, tacos, corned beef, potatoes, lamb, pork chops and more!
FAQ About Shrimp
Shrimp and prawns are not the same. They both contain external skeletons and have ten legs, but they belong to different sub-orders (shrimp-pleocyemata; prawns-dendrobranchiata).
Shrimp are not classified as being fish and instead belong to a group called Arthropods, which is part of a larger group called Crustaceans.
The best ways to determine if shrimp is past its prime are sour odors, slimy texture and signs of bacteria. Discard if any of these are present.
Cooked shrimp can be added to a variety of dishes, such as tacos, salad or sushi. They are also often enjoyed solo as a finger food, dipped in cocktail sauce.
Uses For Cilantro Lime Sauce
- Use as a creamy salad dressing on any leafy salad such as a chopped salad or southwest chicken salad.
- Pour it over steamed or roasted veggies.
- Add it to your next batch of cilantro lime rice.
- Use as a dip for raw vegetables, French fries or chips.
- Top scrambled or fried eggs with it!
- Use it as a dipping sauce for a grilled chicken breast, chicken tenders or steak bites.
- Drizzle it over your next batch of chicken tacos, oven-baked beef tacos or any Mexican food such as enchiladas or burrito bowls.
- Throw your favorite taco salad ingredients together in a bowl and drizzle this creamy cilantro lime sauce over the top.
- Use it as a creamy dressing spread on your next savory sandwich.
- Add as a layer to your next taco dip.
- Drizzle over cilantro lime chicken.
Uses For Taco Seasoning
If you grow tired of taco meat, we need to have a chat. Kidding, but here are a few other ideas for ways to use taco seasoning.
- Stir it into any creamy dip (yum).
- Really, you could add it to just about any meat-based meal to transform it into a tasty, spicy food. I’m thinking meatballs, burgers or even chicken.
- Add it to salad dressing for an extra zing.
Delicious Shrimp Recipes
- Shrimp Scampi
- Pad Thai with Shrimp
- Shrimp Fried Rice with Peppers
- BBQ Shrimp and Tomato Salad
- Buffalo Shrimp Salad
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Shrimp Tacos Recipe With Cabbage
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp tail-on, pre-cooked and thawed
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded, optional
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 2 cups lettuce chopped
- 1 cup red cabbage shredded
- 1 bunch green onions sliced
- 1 cup guacamole prepared
- 1 jalapeno pepper sliced, optional
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 8 flour tortillas
- 1 batch cilantro lime dressing
- Lime wedges and cilantro for topping
Instructions
- Place the shrimp in a rimmed, shallow pan, after removing the shell if necessary. Drizzle the olive oil over top of the shrimp and toss to coat. Spoon the taco seasoning evenly over the shrimp, making sure all surfaces are coated. Let sit in pan for 5 minutes.
- Pour the contents of the pan into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, or until shrimp are heated through. Transfer to a serving bowl (include liquid).
- Place tortillas on plates and top with shrimp, cheese (if using), tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, onions, guacamole, jalapenos (if using) and salsa. Squeeze lime juice over tops, if desired, top with cilantro and the Cilantro Lime Sauce and serve!
Notes
- Consider making a homemade cabbage slaw by combining different types of cabbage and mixing with olive oil or vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Crunchy slaw adds such a delicious and unique texture and flavor to this dish!
- I often omit the cheese from these tacos because cilantro lime sauce adds the perfect amount of flavor.
- Spice up your tacos by adding extra black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Great options for cheeses for tacos: cheddar, mozzarella, pepperjack or cotija cheese.
- Garlic powder or fresh garlic would be a great addition to the shrimp.
- Shrimp cooks very quickly, so keep a close eye to ensure it does not overcook. Heed this advice, especially when using a pre-cooked variety. When using raw shrimp, cooking time will increase. You will know it is done when it turns bright pink in color.
Hi! I haven’t made this yummy-sounding recipe yet but I have eaten many shrimp tacos. Your recipe calls for tail-on shrimp, but I don’t see any tails-on when I look at your picture. Are you eating the tails or removing them before heating?
Thanks!
Hi Rachel, great question! Are you referring to the shells? If you buy them with the shells on, you should remove them. The tail is still there. Enjoy the tacos, they are delicious!