These shrimp tacos with cabbage will knock your socks off. Add no spice or a lot of spice for the perfect taco Tuesday dinner!
Original post: December 2021 | Updated: May 2023
Why This Recipe Works
One of the first things my cute hubby and I bonded over was Mexican food and drink. We love enjoying spicy food and margaritas together. Taco dip, guacamole and grapefruit lime margaritas have always been favorites for taco night.
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 shrimp taco recipe provides a unique, healthy and easy weeknight dinner!
These are the best shrimp tacos and they’re now a part of my dinner rotation, which is saying a lot considering I rarely make the same meal twice (occupational issue). This is such a tasty recipe, perfect for a weeknight meal or a large gathering with lots of people.
Shrimp Tacos 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 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.
Favorite toppings – Add guacamole or salsa, or both, as toppings! Go crazy with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream (use Greek yogurt as a healthy alternative), avocados, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, lime wedges, chopped red onion, 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.
How To Make Easy Shrimp Tacos With Cabbage
Make the Cilantro Lime Sauce
Follow the instructions in this recipe to make a delicious batch of my favorite shrimp taco sauce – cilantro lime sauce-dressing.
Make The Tacos
Place the fresh shrimp in a rimmed, shallow pan or a large bowl in a single layer. 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 warm corn tortillas or flour tortillas on a plate and top with shrimp, cheese (if using), tomatoes, lettuce, shredded cabbage slaw, onions, guacamole or avocado slices, 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!
- Let frozen shrimp thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Making grilled shrimp tacos is an option. Place a piece of foil on a grill over medium heat. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side or until pink and cooked through. You may also put the shrimp onto skewers and cook them directly on the grill.
- I often omit the cheese from these tacos because cilantro lime sauce adds the perfect amount of flavor.
- Make spicy shrimp 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.
Are Shrimp Tacos Better With Flour or Corn Tortillas
Both corn and flour tortillas taste great for shrimp tacos. If you’re serving them for a crowd, provide both options. Corn tortillas are gluten free and can be eaten by people on a gluten-free diet. Always warm tortillas before serving.
Also consider serving romaine lettuce leaves in case people prefer to make lettuce wraps vs using tortillas.
How Long Does Thawed Cooked Shrimp Last In The Fridge
When stored in airtight containers in the fridge, cooked shrimp will stay fresh for up to four days for best results. Reheat over low heat to avoid overcooking.
What To Serve With Cabbage
So many main course options as well as secondary side dishes 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.
What To Do With 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.
How To Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Skip packaged spice mixes from the grocery store and make your own! This taco seasoning recipe is done in minutes. The ingredients are probably already sitting in your pantry, including chili powder, ground cumin, paprika along with a few others!
What To Do With 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.
Best 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 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.1 lb shrimp, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 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!1 cup cheddar cheese, 2 tomatoes, 2 cups lettuce, 1 cup red cabbage, 1 bunch green onions, 1 cup guacamole, 1 jalapeno pepper, 1/2 cup salsa, 8 flour tortillas, 1 batch cilantro lime dressing, Lime wedges and cilantro
Notes
- Making grilled shrimp tacos is an option. Place a piece of foil on a grill over medium heat. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side or until pink and cooked through.
- I often omit the cheese from these tacos because cilantro lime sauce adds the perfect amount of flavor.
- Make spicy shrimp 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!