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A platter of spicy grilled shrimp tacos with fresh toppings

Classic Spicy Grilled Shrimp Tacos

These classic spicy grilled shrimp tacos are bursting with flavor, featuring perfectly seasoned shrimp, crisp cabbage slaw, and a creamy lime sauce, all nestled in warm tortillas. A vibrant and satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • Whisk
  • Grill or Large Skillet
  • Skewers (optional)
  • Separate bowl

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp:

  • 1 lb (450g) Large raw shrimp, peeled & deveined
  • 2 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh lime juice
  • 1 tsp Chipotle in adobo finely minced
  • ½ tsp Smoked paprika
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Honey or agave nectar
  • ½ tsp Salt

For the Tacos:

  • 8–10 Small corn tortillas (6-inch)
  • 2 cups Red cabbage, shredded
  • ½ cup Carrot, grated
  • ¼ cup Red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Apple cider vinegar

For the Creamy Lime Sauce:

  • ½ cup Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp Lime zest
  • 1 Tbsp Lime juice
  • ½ tsp Hot sauce optional

Optional Toppings:

  • ½ cup Mango or pineapple, diced
  • 1 Avocado, sliced optional
  • 2 Tbsp Cotija cheese, crumbled optional
  • Extra cilantro leaves for garnish

Instructions
 

Shrimp Preparation

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, minced chipotle, smoked paprika, minced garlic, honey, and salt to create the marinade.
  • Add shrimp to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for 15-20 minutes at room temperature, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
  • While the shrimp marinates, prepare your grill or a large skillet. Preheat to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers if grilling.
  • Grill or cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Do not overcrowd the grill or skillet, cook in batches if necessary.

Slaw and Sauce Preparation

  • In a separate bowl, combine shredded red cabbage, grated carrot, thinly sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, and apple cider vinegar to make the slaw.
  • For the creamy lime sauce, whisk sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime zest, lime juice, and hot sauce (if using) together until smooth.

Assemble Tacos

  • Warm the corn tortillas according to package directions. You can grill them, heat them in a dry skillet, or microwave them briefly until pliable.
  • Assemble the tacos by placing a small amount of slaw in each warm tortilla, then add 3-4 grilled shrimp.
  • Drizzle generously with the creamy lime sauce and add any desired optional toppings like diced mango/pineapple, sliced avocado, or crumbled Cotija cheese.
  • Garnish with extra cilantro leaves and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra convenience, you can prepare the slaw and creamy lime sauce ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Adjust the amount of chipotle and hot sauce to your preferred spice level. If you don't have a grill, pan-searing the shrimp works just as well. Serve with extra lime wedges for an added burst of freshness.