Shrimp Tacos with Homemade Coleslaw Recipe (Ready in 30 Minutes)

These shrimp tacos feature crunchy homemade slaw and bold flavors for a quick weeknight dinner everyone will love.

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A few weeks ago we bought the ingredients to make some homemade coleslaw, and it was delicious! After that, we were all in the mood for other recipes that used coleslaw, so decided to think of something else to use a few ingredients that were leftover from other meals. There was about half of a cabbage in the refrigerator, some shrimp in the freezer, and a couple of corn tortillas left in the pantry. So if you put that together, you get shrimp tacos with creamy slaw!

Yes, I know it sounds like an odd combination, but stick with me here for a minute for a great option for your next taco night.

Ingredient Options

This recipe includes making a cabbage and carrot crunchy slaw to go with the tacos. You’ll also need to bread and fry the shrimp before adding them to your taco shell. We used the new cast iron skillet that I received as a gift a few months ago for the shrimp. I’m still learning how to use the skillet, but so far it’s been great!

If you don’t want to make your own coleslaw or need to save time, you can buy it packaged. We have now done it both ways. There are advantages to each method. Last time, when I used a bag of coleslaw mix, I added the dressing mixture from the recipe. Bagged coleslaw is usually very dry. For best results on this easy shrimp tacos recipe, it helps to have one with dressing to add flavor, especially since it only takes a couple of minutes to put together. 

Ideas for Garnish on Shrimp Tacos

In addition to the few garnish ideas in the recipe, you can also add sliced red onion, sour cream, smashed avocado, or your other favorite toppings. If you want cajun shrimp tacos with slaw, add a bit of cajun seasoning or chili powder or 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin to the flour mixture for the shrimp. 

Serving Suggestions

Serve your easy shrimp tacos with:

• Fresh guacamole or chunky avocado salsa
• Black bean and corn salad
• Cilantro-lime rice
• Mexican street corn (Elote)
• Tortilla chips with mango salsa
• Virgin mojitos or limeade

Pro tip: Serve your shrimp tacos on warm tortillas with a lime wedge and fresh cilantro for a restaurant-style presentation.

Shrimp Taco Variations

• Make it spicy: Add chili powder or hot sauce to the shrimp seasoning.
• Use grilled shrimp: Swap sautéed shrimp for grilled for a smoky flavor.
• Try cabbage alternatives: Use romaine or kale instead of coleslaw mix.
• Add flavor: Drizzle with a bit of lime juice and olive oil.
• Make it low-carb: Use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.

Optional: Easy Garlic Lime Crema for Shrimp Tacos

For an extra flavor boost, make this simple sauce to drizzle over your shrimp tacos:

• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt to taste

Whisk everything together in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle it over your tacos before serving for a creamy, tangy kick.

Shrimp Taco FAQ

Shrimp Tacos with Coleslaw Step by Step

Ingredients

Coleslaw

• 1 small green cabbage (shredded)
• 1 small carrot (shredded)
• 2 green onions (sliced)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp honey
• salt and pepper (to taste)

Shrimp

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 12 oz shrimp (medium)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Tacos

• 12 flour tortillas or corn tortillas
• fresh cilantro (for garnish)
• fresh lime juice or lime wedges (for garnish)

Preparation

Start making the coleslaw by shredding or thinly slicing the cabbage and adding it to a large bowl.

Add the shredded carrots and green onion to the shredded cabbage. In a small bowl combine the garlic, lime juice, mayonnaise, honey, salt, and pepper. Pour this mix over the cabbage and toss to combine it all together.

Place the coleslaw in the refrigerator (letting it sit while you cook the rest helps infuse the flavors) while you prepare the shrimp.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture until it is coated.

Heat your skillet over medium heat and fill with the oil to coat the bottom. Once it’s warm, add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through then let dry on paper towels.

While the shrimp cooks, heat the tortillas according to the package instructions. To build your tacos, place warm tortillas on the plate, then top it with coleslaw followed by a few pieces of shrimp. Garnish with cilantro and a splash of lime juice as desired on top of the tacos.

Recipe

Shrimp Tacos with Coleslaw

Add some homemade coleslaw to shrimp tacos to make a delicious and light weeknight meal perfect for your next Taco Tuesday.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Course:

Main Dish

Cuisine:

American

Keyword:

seafood

|

shrimp

|

tacos

Dietary Needs:

Egg-Free

Meat:

Seafood

Servings: 12 tacos

4.89 from 9 votes

Ingredients

Coleslaw

• 1 small green cabbage (shredded)
• 1 small carrot (shredded)
• 2 green onions (sliced)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp honey
• Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Shrimp

• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 12 oz shrimp (medium)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Tacos

• 12 corn tortillas
• fresh cilantro (for garnish)
• fresh lime juice or lime wedges (for garnish)

Recommended Equipment

• Chef Knife
• Cutting Board
• Box Grater
• Garlic Press
• Mixing Bowls – Stainless Steel
• Whisk – Wire
• Cast Iron Skillet
• Tortilla Warmer

Instructions

Coleslaw

• Start making the coleslaw by shredding or thinly slicing the cabbage and adding it to a large bowl
• Add the shredded carrots and green onion to the shredded cabbage
• In a small bowl combine the garlic, lime juice, mayonnaise, honey, salt, and pepper
• Pour this mix over the cabbage and toss to combine it all together
• Place the coleslaw in the refrigerator (letting it sit while you cook the rest helps infuse the flavors) while you prepare the shrimp

Shrimp

• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika
• Dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture until it is coated
• Heat your skillet over medium heat and fill with the oil to coat the bottom
• Once it’s warm, add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer and cook for a few minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through then let dry on paper towels

Tacos

• While the shrimp cooks, heat the tortillas according to the package instructions
• To build your tacos, place warm tortillas on the plate, then top it with coleslaw followed by a few pieces of shrimp
• Garnish with cilantro and a splash of lime juice as desired on top of the tacos.

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Nutrition Facts

Shrimp Tacos with Coleslaw

Amount Per Serving (1 each)

Calories 155 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Trans Fat 0.01g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 47mg16%

Sodium 756mg32%

Potassium 283mg8%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 967IU19%

Vitamin C 29mg35%

Calcium 75mg8%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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