These grilled shrimp tacos are prepared in simply 25 minutes and loaded with juicy shrimp and crunchy Mexican slaw! They’re the final word simple weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing occasion recipe.
Prepared for my new favourite shrimp recipe: grilled shrimp tacos with slaw! Oh YES. Think about: smoky shrimp spiced with cumin and chili powder, served atop a crunchy Mexican slaw and drizzled with spicy mayo. Prime with a spritz of lime juice and torn recent cilantro, they’re fairly heavenly.
They’ve obtained a festive vibe that works for entertaining, however they’re simply pretty much as good for a straightforward dinner in. I first made this grilled spin on my simple shrimp tacos for a cocktail party, and with a frozen daiquiri in hand, life felt fairly nice.
5 Star Reader Assessment
“I made the shrimp and your Mexican slaw they usually have been so recent and flavorful and yummy! We actually loved them and I plan to make them once more!” -T
Components You’ll Want
Right here’s what goes into these grilled shrimp tacos (full quantities within the recipe card):
- Massive shrimp (26–30 per pound): I exploit this dimension as a result of they’re substantial sufficient to remain juicy on the grill with out overcooking.
- Olive oil: Helps the spice rub stick.
- Cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and kosher salt: My easy however flavorful spice mix.
- Mexican coleslaw: This provides the crunch and a pop of shiny taste! You can also make a full batch, or use my shortcut under.
- Small flour or corn tortillas: Corn retains this recipe gluten-free; flour is softer and simpler to fold.
- Mayonnaise + Mexican scorching sauce: Cholula is my go-to for spicy mayo!
- Contemporary cilantro and lime wedges, for garnish: Don’t skip these: they tie every little thing collectively!
How To Make Grilled Shrimp Tacos
The grilled shrimp is fast to cook dinner: the longest lead time on this taco recipe is thawing the shrimp and preheating the grill. Listed here are the essential steps (or soar to the recipe):
- If you happen to’re utilizing frozen shrimp, thaw it.
- Preheat the grill to medium excessive direct warmth (375 to 400 levels).
- Whilst you’re ready, make the toppings (Mexican slaw and spicy mayo).
- Combine the shrimp with olive oil and seasonings (cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder). Toss them on the grill and grill 1 to 2 minutes per facet, till shiny pink and cooked by way of.
- Serve in a tortilla with the coleslaw, spicy mayo, cilantro, and lime juice.
The Mexican Slaw: Make It or Shortcut It
The Mexican coleslaw takes a while to cut up the veggies and blend them with olive oil, vinegar, and spices. You are able to do this whereas the grill preheats.
However when you’re in a time crunch, right here’s a shortcut! Merely shred the cabbage, then squeeze it with lime juice from a couple of wedges and a pinch of kosher salt. It’s a shortcut I exploit repeatedly, and it tastes nearly pretty much as good!
The way to Thaw Frozen Shrimp
Questioning whether or not to get frozen or uncooked shrimp for grilled shrimp tacos? A fantasy about fish is that “recent is finest” — however frozen works, too! It may be more energizing than uncooked shrimp if it’s frozen instantly. What’s the finest option to thaw shrimp? Listed here are a couple of choices:
- Thaw by putting within the fridge in a single day. Be sure to plan forward when you select this feature.
- Thaw beneath working chilly water the day of. Place the frozen shrimp into a big bowl with very chilly water. Stir the bowl each 5 minutes to interrupt up frozen shrimp clumps. The shrimp ought to be defrosted in about 15 to twenty minutes, relying on the scale of the shrimp.
What to Serve with Grilled Shrimp Tacos
I served this wholesome grilled shrimp tacos recipe at an outside banquet, and it was successful! In search of some concepts on the way to serve your tacos? Right here’s what my banquet menu seemed like:
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos
- Refried Bean Dip or 5 Minute Bean Dip with tortilla chips
- Mexican Coleslaw (left over from the tacos!)
- Elote (Mexican Avenue Corn)
- Lime Frozen Daiquiris (or attempt Frozen Margaritas or any of my Greatest Margarita Recipes)
- Chopped Pineapple, for dessert
The primary time I served this menu, my youngsters devoured all of it up! They particularly beloved dipping chips within the bean dip (in fact!).
Tip for Conserving Tortillas Heat
Right here’s the factor: the important thing to a great taco is a heat tortilla. Often, I heat the tortillas over a fuel flame on the stovetop (see The way to Heat Tortillas). However for this recipe, since you have already got the grill fired up, you may warmth your tortillas proper on the grill! It additionally provides them a little bit of a charred taste.
How do you retain them heat as soon as you are taking them off the grill? Attempt a tortilla hotter! I don’t purchase many devices which have just one goal. However I haven’t discovered a greater option to maintain my tortillas heat! It’s principally an insulated pouch that traps within the warmth and retains them heat and mushy. On the fee that tacos are served in my home, it’s been a godsend.
Storage and Make-Forward Ideas
Grilled shrimp retains properly in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium warmth.
The slaw might be made as much as a day forward and saved individually. The spicy mayo retains within the fridge for as much as per week.
Retailer all parts individually and assemble simply earlier than serving.
Dietary Notes
This grilled shrimp tacos recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, and pescatarian.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos
These grilled shrimp tacos are an ideal banquet recipe or wholesome weeknight meal, that includes spiced shrimp, Mexican slaw and a spicy mayo drizzle.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 5 minutes
- Whole Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (8 tacos) 1x
- Class: Major Dish
- Technique: Grilled
- Delicacies: Mexican
Components
- 1 pound massive shrimp, peeled and deveined (we used 26–30 per pound dimension)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups Mexican Coleslaw (¼ recipe; or 2 cups shredded crimson cabbage)
- 8 tortillas
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 ½ teaspoons Mexican scorching sauce (resembling Cholula)
- 1 handful recent cilantro, for garnish
- 2 limes, lower into wedges, for serving
Directions
- Preheat a grill to medium-high direct warmth (375 to 400 levels).
- Thaw the shrimp and peel it (if it’s within the shell). In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with the olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and kosher salt.
- Make the Mexican Coleslaw (or shred the cabbage and sprinkle with lime juice and a little bit of kosher salt).
- Combine collectively the mayonnaise and Mexican scorching sauce.
- Heat tortillas on grill for 10 seconds per facet. Then grill the shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per facet, till shiny pink and cooked by way of.
- To serve, place the coleslaw right into a tortilla and prime with grilled shrimp. Drizzle with the spicy mayo and prime with torn cilantro leaves and a squeeze of recent lime juice.
In search of extra taco recipes?
That’s it — the way to make grilled shrimp tacos with slaw! Let me know when you make them within the feedback under. If you happen to’re in search of different taco recipe concepts, listed below are a few of my favorites:
- Crispy Cauliflower Tacos
- Straightforward Black Bean Tacos
- Fast Refried Bean Tacos
- Straightforward Tofu Tacos with tofu crumbles
- Epic Fish Tacos
- Greatest Jackfruit Tacos
- 5 Minute Egg Tacos
- Loaded Quinoa Tacos
- “Verde” Lentil Vegan Tacos
- Spiced Chickpea Tacos
- Refried Bean Tacos
- BBQ Bean Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
- Huevos Rancheros Tacos
- Vegetarian Lentil Tacos
Final up to date: July 2025
