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Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw Recipe

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4.4 from 12 reviews

These Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw are a vibrant, flavorful meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Juicy shrimp are coated in a bold blend of chili powder, cumin, and cayenne, then sautéed to perfection and paired with a creamy garlic cilantro lime slaw. Served on warm tortillas and topped with smashed avocado, Cotija cheese, and lime wedges, these tacos deliver a perfect balance of heat, tang, and freshness in every bite.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup water (if needed, to thin sauce)

Spice Mix

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
  • 2-3 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
  • 2 avocados
  • 1/4 cup Cotija cheese
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  1. Make the Sauce: Pulse all sauce ingredients—oil, green onions, cilantro, garlic, salt, lime juice, sour cream or Greek yogurt—in a food processor or blender until mostly smooth. Add water as needed to achieve a thinner consistency suitable for dressing and topping.
  2. Prepare the Slaw: Toss some of the prepared sauce (reserve some for topping) with the shredded green cabbage until evenly coated. Set aside to let flavors meld while you cook the shrimp.
  3. Season the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry thoroughly with paper towels. Toss them in a small bowl with the chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and coarse sea salt until fully coated with the spice mix.
  4. Cook the Shrimp: Heat a drizzle of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp to the hot pan and sauté for 5-8 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the shrimp are opaque, firm, and cooked through.
  5. Assemble the Tacos: To assemble, spread a layer of smashed avocado on each tortilla, followed by a generous scoop of the dressed slaw. Add the sautéed shrimp on top, then finish with a sprinkle of Cotija cheese, a squeeze of lime from the wedges, and a drizzle of the reserved sauce for extra flavor.

Notes

  • You can adjust the cayenne pepper in the spice mix to make the tacos more or less spicy according to your preference.
  • For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream in the sauce.
  • Warm the tortillas before assembling to make them more pliable and flavorful—heat them in a dry skillet or microwave wrapped in a damp towel.
  • These tacos are best enjoyed fresh but you can prepare the slaw and sauce in advance and refrigerate.
  • Use corn or flour tortillas based on your dietary preferences or availability.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Tacos
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/spicy-shrimp-tacos-with-garlic-cilantro-lime-slaw-recipe/