It seems like an odd combination, but adding some homemade coleslaw to shrimp tacos makes a delicious and light weeknight meal!
Jump to RecipeA 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 a 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 coleslaw!
Yes, I know it sounds like an odd combination, but stick with me here for a minute.
This recipe includes making a cabbage and carrot 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 slaw, I added the dressing mixture from the recipe. Bagged coleslaw is usually very dry. For the shrimp tacos, it helps to have one with dressing to add flavor.
Step by Step
Start making the coleslaw by shredding or thinly slicing the cabbage and adding it to a large mixing bowl.
Add the shredded carrots, and green onion. 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 small mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture until it is coated.
Heat your skillet over medium-high heat and fill with the oil to coat the bottom. Once it’s warm, add the shrimp in a single layer and cook for a few minutes on each side until they are cooked through.
While the shrimp is cooking, heat the tortillas according to the package directions. To build your tacos, place a tortilla on the plate, then top with coleslaw followed by a few pieces of shrimp. Garnish with cilantro and a splash of lime juice as desired.
Recipe
Originally Published On: May 14, 2018
Last Updated On: June 21, 2019
Shrimp Tacos with Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 1 small 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)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 12 oz shrimp (medium)
- 2 tbsp oil
- 12 flour tortilla shells
- cilantro (for garnish)
- lime juice (for garnish)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Shred or thinly slice cabbage and carrots
- Combine cabbage and carrots in a large mixing bowl
- Whisk all other coleslaw ingredients together
- Pour sauce over cabbage and toss to combine
- Place in the refrigerator to sit while making the rest of the meal
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika
- Dredge each shrimp in the flour mixture until they are covered
- Cook the shrimp in a single layer in the heated oil for about 3-5 minutes per side, until cooked through
- Heat the corn tortillas according to the directions
- Build each taco by place a tortilla on the plate, topped with a scoop of coleslaw and followed by a few of the shrimp
- Garnish with cilantro and a splash of lime juice as desired
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.
We love homemade coleslaw. Fixing the shrimp and adding the wrap makes this a whole meal. Adding this to my meal plan.
I wasn’t sure about the whole thing at first, but it was amazingly fresh and light.
Shrimp tacos are my all time favorite meal. There is a place I go, that’s all I always order. Now, I know how to make my own, thanks for sharing the recipe.
I had never really had them before we made them at home. My mom is severely allergic to shellfish so I didn’t eat much seafood at all growing up and couldn’t when we were out to eat as a family. I’ve expanded my seafood palette a lot since I can as long as she isn’t in town.
Yas! this one’s perfectly doable, so I’m adding this to my list of recipes to do. Haven’t had these before but sure looks wonderful. I’ll be the only one enjoying that since my man is not a fan of veggies lol
I can say, I am not a fan of veggies either, but I do enjoy this meal. The coleslaw is made in a way that it isn’t overpowering. He could just add a bit less to his tacos than you do to try it out. I never liked coleslaw before making our own.
I am a vegetarian but my husband loves shirmp. I am going to share this recipe with him. It looks amazing.
I haven’t tried it myself, but I’ve heard of others making fried tofu or other replacements. Maybe it’s something you could try for yours and make the shrimp for his.
What a quick and easy recipe. This would be great for all of my shrimp loving friends and family.
It’s such a wonderful recipe, especially during the summer because it’s a very light and refreshing meal.
I absolutely love shrimp but I very rarely get a chance to eat it. Looks like now is the time to take matters into my own hands and make my own shrimp tacos! This recipe looks absolutely divine- can’t wait to try it!
I do too! I never had it growing up because my mom is severely allergic so, as long as she isn’t visiting, my husband and I make all the shrimp recipes!
ooooh this looks good. I am not a shrimp fan but I am trying to think of the different tacos we can put cole slaw on.
I was very surprised at how well it tasted on a taco. It wouldn’t work on a regular beef taco, but I’m sure there are others that would be wonderful with a good slaw on it!
I love the shrimps. I have saved the recipe so I can try it. Love meals with combination coleslaw.
I hope you enjoy! Shrimp is my favorite seafood, too.
This dish makes it feel like summer. Bring on the lovely yummy tacos x
It is such a perfect summer recipe. The tacos feel light and the coleslaw makes them very refreshing.
This looks really good! I love shrimp but I never know good recipes to add shrimp too. But now I do! I will have to give this a try!
I hadn’t really had any shrimp tacos before this even though it’s a popular meal around here. But it was surprisingly really good and the coleslaw made it a perfect summer meal.
Oh, this looks super yummy. I will definitely have to try this. I love trying new recipes!!
You should give it a try! It’s perfect for the summer since it’s a very light meal.
these tacos sound lovely, perfect for the warm weather season ; ) I love fish tacos, so I can only imagine that these are amazing as well! YUM
Yes, they definitely are! I am not as big of a fan of fish tacos, but I love these shrimp tacos!
This looks yummy and will only take a few minutes to prepare. I’ve never heard of this before and I do agree that this is really an odd combination. I guess that normally happens when you try to make the most of your leftover ingredients. But I can see in the picture that this is gonna be worth my try. Thanks for sharing! You are very creative.
Yeah, we were really unsure at first, but it makes a delicious meal! It’s perfect for a warm-weather dinner, too, because it’s a very refreshing combination. It sounds odd, but trust me, it’s worth a try!
Tacos are delicious and easy to make. I often eat tacos for breakfast. Thanks for the recipe.
My oldest son has been obsessed with tacos lately. We’ve been making him some breakfast tacos, too!
I am a huge shrimp fan, my husband not so much. So I tend to do it for my lunches and I might have to do this for today! I have never had a shrimp taco and I think I need to fix that
You could pretty easily meal-prep this meal for lunches. Make the shrimp and slaw ahead of time and then have a couple of days worth of lunches that you just have to put together.
These look so delicious and perfect for Summer! I can’t wait to give them a try, I think my entire family will LOVE them!!
The coleslaw added to the shrimp tacos make it a very refreshing and light meal. As you said, perfect for the summer! I hope your family enjoys the recipe!
coleslaw is one of the things in life that can cheer me up no matter what! I love the concept of this recipe and I will definitely try out the coleslaw both the original version and maybe a vegan one if I can find the ingredients!
I never liked coleslaw until we made it at home. Most of the ones I had tried were all very wet and I like mine crunchy. This one stays crunchy in the refrigerator even for a few days.
My family loves shrimp. Shrimp and tacos are probably my daughters two favorite things ever. This recipe looks great!
If she loves shrimp and tacos then this sounds like a perfect meal for your daughter! We love shrimp here, too.
What an interesting combo. Wouldn’t have thought to put coleslaw in tacos, but now I’m thinking about all the combinations I could have!
I know, I thought the same thing after eating these. Coleslaw would probably be best with seafood tacos, but could work for others, too.
I’ve come to really enjoy coleslaw over lettuce on tacos. The crunch just can’t be beat! These look amazing and easy to make!
I agree I like the crunch it adds. That’s why I like making homemade coleslaw because store-bought doesn’t seem to have the same crunch.
I am a vegetarian but i’m sure my brother will love this or I can substitute shrimp with veggies, that will be an interesting recipe for all of us!
Oh, that would make for a very different taco, but I’m sure it would be a good one!
Shrimp tacos are one of my favorite things EVER! These look delicious. I usually do mine with roasted corn and cabbage. I’ll have to try cole slaw.
I haven’t tried corn on the tacos. But the cabbage would be similar to the coleslaw, so you’ll probably like it!
I would have never thought of combining shrimps with coleslaw, but it sure sounds yummy and quite interesting! Thanks for sharing this recipe 🙂
It’s definitely a different combination than I’ve seen, but yes, it works really well together!
Tacos always seem to mean summer for us, so this could not be better timed. What I love about them is they can be Taylor made for all guests from shrimp to veggie options xx
With four people in the house and four different food preferences, we like meals that can be customized. It’s a great way to all eat the same “meal” but have something we like.