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EASY Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw Recipe

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4.2 from 88 reviews

These EASY Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw are a quick and flavorful meal perfect for any night of the week. Juicy shrimp coated in a zesty spice blend are sautéed to perfection and paired with a creamy, tangy slaw made from fresh cabbage and a garlic cilantro lime sauce. Served in warm tortillas and topped with avocado, Cotija cheese, and extra lime wedges, these tacos deliver a harmonious mix of spicy, creamy, and fresh flavors in just 30 minutes.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings (8 small tacos)

Ingredients

Garlic Cilantro Lime Sauce

  • 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 for Shrimp

  • 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. Prepare the Sauce: Pulse the oil, chopped green onions, cilantro leaves, garlic cloves, salt, lime juice, and sour cream or Greek yogurt in a food processor or blender until mostly smooth. Add water gradually if the sauce is too thick to reach your desired consistency.
  2. Make the Slaw: Toss some of the prepared sauce with the shredded green cabbage to coat evenly. Reserve the remaining sauce to use as a topping on the tacos later.
  3. Season the Shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, toss the shrimp with the chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and coarse sea salt to coat all the shrimp pieces evenly with the spice mix.
  4. Cook the Shrimp: Heat a drizzle of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned shrimp and sauté for 5 to 8 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
  5. Assemble the Tacos: Warm the tortillas as desired. For each taco, layer smashed avocado first, then add a generous portion of the cabbage slaw, followed by the cooked shrimp. Finish by sprinkling Cotija cheese on top, adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and drizzling with the leftover sauce. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.

Notes

  • Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the spice level to your preference.
  • If you prefer, swap sour cream for full-fat Greek yogurt for a tangier, protein-rich sauce.
  • Tortilla choice is flexible: corn tortillas give a traditional touch, while flour tortillas offer softness and flexibility.
  • To save time, use pre-shredded cabbage or buy pre-cooked shrimp if in a hurry.
  • Extra sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and makes a great dip or topping for other dishes.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free

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