These easy shrimp tacos with slaw come together in about 20 minutes and bring all the smoky, citrusy flavor of your favorite taco spot — without the wait. Cajun-seasoned shrimp gets broiled on a single sheet pan until just cooked through, then piled into warm corn tortillas with a bright, crunchy slaw that’s tossed in olive oil and fresh lime (no mayo!).
Ellen’s Notes
I’ve made these easy shrimp tacos more times than I can count, and they never get old around our house! What I love most is how much flavor you get from such a short ingredient list. The Cajun seasoning does so much of the heavy lifting, and the fresh slaw keeps everything bright and crunchy.
We make them year-round here in Florida (sunshine is basically a 12-month thing!), but they really shine in summer when we want something light. My husband usually sneaks an extra taco off the platter before we even sit down!
If you’ve only ever had shrimp tacos with a heavy creamy slaw, this version is going to feel like a fresh start.
📌 Key Ingredient Notes
Cabbage: Shredded purple cabbage is my favorite because it gives the slaw that gorgeous color and holds its crunch beautifully. A bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix is a great shortcut if you’re in a hurry. Just make sure it’s plain shredded cabbage, not the kind with dressing.
Red Onion: Stick with red onion here! It has a sharper, more vibrant bite than yellow or white onion and gives the slaw that signature purple-pink color that looks so pretty in the taco. If raw onion is too strong for your family, soak the diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding to mellow it out.
Shrimp: I prefer large or jumbo shrimp (16-20 count or 21-25 count per pound) because they stay juicy under the broiler and feel substantial in the taco. Frozen shrimp work great, but they need to be fully thawed and patted dry before seasoning. Wet shrimp won’t get those nicely browned edges.
Cajun Seasoning: This is the secret weapon of this shrimp taco recipe! My homemade Cajun seasoning is the best, but a good store-bought brand works in a pinch. If yours is on the salty side, hold off on adding extra salt until you taste.
How To Make Shrimp Tacos With Slaw
See the printable recipe card for full ingredient list and directions below.
- In a medium sized bowl, toss to combine cabbage, red onion, olive oil and lime juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Let the slaw rest on the counter to marinate while you prepare the shrimp, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
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- Set the oven to broil on high. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Rinse shrimp and pat dry. Place shrimp in a medium size bowl. Add olive oil and cajun seasoning. Toss together until all of the shrimp are coated.
- Place shrimp on a prepared baking sheet, in a single layer. It is ok to crowd the pan, just make sure the shrimp are in an even layer. Broil shrimp for 2 minutes. Rotate sheet pan and continue broiling for 2 more minutes, until shrimp are cooked through.
- Place shrimp in warmed corn tortillas, top with desired toppings and serve immediately.
Ellen’s Recipe Tips
Pat the shrimp very dry before seasoning. Any water on the shrimp will steam them under the broiler instead of letting them get those gorgeous charred edges. Use paper towels and really blot them. It makes a noticeable difference!
Keep the shrimp in a single layer on the pan. It’s okay to crowd them a little, but overlapping shrimp will steam instead of broil. A standard half sheet pan is the right size for 2 pounds.
Warm the tortillas — don’t skip this step! Cold tortillas crack and ruin the whole taco experience. I like to char mine for about 20 seconds per side directly over a gas burner, or you can wrap a stack in foil and warm them in the oven for 10 minutes.
Watch the shrimp carefully — they cook fast. Four minutes is usually plenty, but every broiler runs a little differently. The second the shrimp are pink, curled into a “C” shape, and no longer translucent, pull them out!
FAQ – Recipe Help
Of course! Cajun seasoning is my favorite for the smoky, bold flavor it gives the shrimp, but taco seasoning, blackening seasoning, or a homemade blend of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic powder all work nicely.
Yes! Sauté the seasoned shrimp in a hot skillet with a little oil for 2 minutes per side, or thread them onto skewers and grill over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side. The broiler is just my favorite hands-off method.
They have a gentle warmth from the Cajun seasoning but are not overly spicy. If you want to dial up the heat, add cayenne to the seasoning or toss sliced jalapeños into the slaw. If you want milder, look for a mild Cajun blend.
The quickest method is to char them directly over a gas burner for about 20 seconds per side. You can also wrap a stack in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, or heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side.
What to Serve with Easy Shrimp Tacos with Slaw
- Cheese: We like to use a salty Mexican cheese like Cotija or Queso Fresco. Crumble it with a fork and then sprinkle it on top of your tacos before serving. If you can’t find either of these, something like shredded mozzarella will also work.
- Crema: I highly recommend our very favorite cilantro lime crema. It makes an amazing shrimp taco sauce! However, you can also use Mexican crema or sour cream. If using sour cream, we recommend thinning it out a little with water so it’s more of a drizzle type consistency.
- Avocado or Guacamole: Either one is always great!
- Pico De Gallo: With the fresh homemade slaw we made, we didn’t use pico de gallo this time. However, if you want to skip the slaw and add some fresh pico, it will be just as delicious.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro always pairs great with seafood and these shrimp tacos are no different!
- Jalapeños: Fresh or pickled jalapeños can add a good bit of spice.
- Sriracha: Another great way to add some heat to your tacos is by drizzling on some Sriracha or adding a tablespoon of Sriracha to the cabbage slaw.
- Lime Wedges: A little extra lime juice is the perfect finisher for tacos!
- Fish Taco Sauce: Homemade fish taco sauce is SO good on these shrimp tacos.
Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients
Slaw:
- 3 cups shredded purple cabbage, or coleslaw mix
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Shrimp Tacos:
- 2 pounds shrimp, shells/tails removed and deveined
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 12 corn tortillas, warmed
Optional Toppings:
- Cheese: Cotija or Queso Fresco, crumbled
- Cilantro Lime Crema, Mexican Crema, or Sour Cream
- Avocado or Guacamole
- Pico De Gallo
- Cilantro
- Jalapeños
- Lime Wedges
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Instructions
Slaw:
- In a medium sized bowl, toss to combine cabbage, red onion, olive oil and lime juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Let the slaw rest on the counter to marinate while you prepare the shrimp, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Shrimp:
- Set oven to broil on high. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Rinse shrimp and pat dry. Place shrimp in a medium size bowl. Add olive oil and cajun seasoning. Toss together until all of the shrimp are coated.
- Place shrimp on prepared baking sheet, in a single layer. It is ok to crowd the pan, just make sure the shrimp are in an even layer.
- Broil shrimp for 2 minutes. Rotate sheet pan and continue broiling for 2 more minutes, until shrimp are cooked through.
- To serve: Place shrimp in warmed corn tortillas, top with desired toppings and serve immediately.
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Notes
Nutrition
More of the Best Taco/Fajita Recipe
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The are the best shrimp tacos. My kids love them. The only difference is I added extra lime juice, cilantro, chopped fresh jalapenos and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to the slaw. If you make them
You have to use the cilantro lime cream. Delicious!
Love this recipie!! Excellent taste
If I could eat these tacos everyday I would lol. I insist you make the cilantro lime crema as this sauce takes these tacos to the next level. I also made cajun chicken for the non-shrimp eaters and these tacos were a hit! 10/10
These were phenomenal. Followed the recipe exactly for the slaw, Cajun seasoning and shrimp and wouldn’t change a thing. Served them with a chipotle crema. So good!
One of my all time favorite tacos!!!