Description
Quick and flavorful shrimp tacos made with seasoned, pan-seared shrimp, crisp cabbage, tangy red onion, and a creamy shrimp taco sauce, all wrapped in warm tortillas. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Creamy Shrimp Taco Sauce
- 1 recipe Creamy Shrimp Taco Sauce (prepared separately)
Vegetables
- 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Cilantro, for garnish
- 2 limes, cut into wedges, divided
Shrimp and Seasoning
- 1 pound large shrimp, thawed and deveined (peeled or unpeeled)
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning (purchased or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
Other
- 8 tortillas
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Make the Creamy Shrimp Taco Sauce according to your favorite recipe or a provided recipe and set it aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Prep the Vegetables: Thinly slice the green cabbage and the red onion. Place the sliced red onion in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes to mellow its sharpness, then drain well before serving.
- Season the Shrimp: Mince the garlic. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, then place them in a medium bowl. Toss the shrimp with Old Bay seasoning, cumin, kosher salt, and the minced garlic until evenly coated.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until they turn opaque and are cooked through. Flip with tongs as needed. Once cooked, spritz the shrimp with juice from two lime wedges for freshness.
- Char the Tortillas (Optional): For added flavor, char tortillas by holding each one over an open gas flame on medium for a few seconds per side, flipping with tongs until warm and slightly blackened. Alternatively, warm them in a skillet.
- Assemble the Tacos: On each warm tortilla, layer sliced cabbage and red onion, top with cooked shrimp, then squeeze the juice of a lime wedge over each. Drizzle with the creamy shrimp taco sauce and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- If you don’t have Old Bay seasoning, substitute with a mix of paprika, celery salt, black pepper, and cayenne powder.
- Peeling the shrimp before cooking shortens cook time and makes eating easier, but leaving the shells on adds extra flavor.
- Soaking red onion in cold water mellows its pungency, making it more pleasant in tacos.
- Charred tortillas add a smoky element but can be skipped for simplicity.
- Use fresh lime juice for best flavor when squeezing over shrimp and tacos.
- The creamy shrimp taco sauce can be made ahead to save time.
