Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Slaw

$For these tasty spicy shrimp tacos, gather these fresh ingredients: - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 tablespoon chili powder - 1 teaspoon paprika - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference) - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - Salt and pepper to taste - 8 small corn tortillas - 1 cup purple cabbage, thinly sliced - 1/2 cup carrots, grated - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped - 1/4 cup mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons lime juice - 1 teaspoon honey (optional) - Lime wedges for serving You can change things up with a few optional ingredients. Add avocado for creaminess. Try diced mango for sweetness. Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter touch. You can also swap the shrimp for grilled chicken or fish if you prefer. Each option brings a unique taste to your tacos. Enjoy mixing and matching! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, you need to make the marinade. In a bowl, mix together: - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 tablespoon chili powder - 1 teaspoon paprika - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference) - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - Salt and pepper to taste Stir it well. Now, take your 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp. Add the shrimp to the bowl and coat them evenly in the marinade. Let the shrimp sit for about 15 minutes. This will help them soak up all those great flavors. While the shrimp marinates, let’s make the lime slaw. Grab a mixing bowl and combine: - 1 cup purple cabbage, thinly sliced - 1/2 cup carrots, grated - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped In a separate small bowl, whisk together: - 1/4 cup mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons lime juice - 1 teaspoon honey (optional) Pour this dressing over the cabbage mixture. Toss everything together until it’s well combined. Set this slaw aside while you cook the shrimp. Now it’s time to cook the shrimp. Preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Place the marinated shrimp on the hot surface. Cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side. They should turn pink and opaque when done. While the shrimp cook, warm your corn tortillas. You can do this on the grill or in a separate skillet. Heat each tortilla for about 30 seconds on each side until they become pliable. To assemble your tacos, place a few shrimp on each tortilla. Top with the lime slaw and drizzle more lime juice if you like. Enjoy your fresh and spicy shrimp tacos! For the best flavor, marinate shrimp for at least 15 minutes. This time allows the shrimp to soak up the spices. If you have more time, marinating for up to 30 minutes makes the shrimp even better. Make sure to coat each shrimp well in the marinade. Use a bowl or a zip-top bag for even mixing. Do not let the shrimp marinate too long. Over-marinating can make them tough. To amp up your lime slaw, try adding a pinch of salt to the cabbage and carrots. This brings out their natural flavors. Adding lime zest gives a stronger lime taste. You can also toss in a little chopped jalapeño for extra heat. If you want a touch of sweetness, honey in the dressing is fantastic. Mix everything well to ensure even flavor throughout the slaw. For a gorgeous presentation, layer the shrimp, slaw, and lime in the tortillas. Use colorful plates to make the dish pop. Serve lime wedges on the side for extra zest. Consider adding a sprinkle of fresh cilantro on top for color. You can also serve the tacos with a side of chips and salsa for a fun meal. These details make the dish look as good as it tastes. Pro Tips Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Allow the shrimp to marinate for at least 15 minutes to absorb all the spices and flavors. For even more depth, consider marinating for up to 30 minutes. Balance the Spice: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper based on your spice tolerance. Start with less, and you can always add more spice to your slaw or as a topping. Fresh Ingredients Matter: Use fresh lime juice and fresh cilantro for the slaw to enhance the flavors significantly. Avoid bottled lime juice for the best taste. Tortilla Technique: Warm the tortillas just before serving to maintain their softness and pliability. This ensures they don’t crack when you fill them with shrimp and slaw. {{image_2}} You can switch shrimp for many proteins. Fish works well, especially white fish like tilapia or cod. Chicken is another good choice. Just grill or sauté it until cooked. If you want a plant-based option, try tofu. Firm tofu holds up well. Press it to remove moisture, then cube and marinate like the shrimp. Each protein brings its own flavor and texture. Slaw is not just cabbage and carrots. You can add mango for sweetness. Dice it up and mix it in. Avocado adds creaminess and healthy fats. Just slice it thin and toss it with the slaw. You can also use red cabbage for a pop of color. Change the dressing too; a splash of vinegar can give a nice tang. Making this recipe gluten-free is easy. Use corn tortillas, as they are naturally gluten-free. For a vegan version, swap shrimp for jackfruit or more vegetables. Use vegan mayo in the slaw for flavor without eggs. This way, you keep the dish tasty while meeting dietary needs. It’s great to customize the tacos for everyone at your table! If you have leftover tacos, store them in a sealed container. Place the shrimp, slaw, and tortillas separately. This keeps everything fresh and crisp. The shrimp will last for 2-3 days in the fridge. Make sure to eat them quickly for the best taste. For lime slaw, keep it in a tight container as well. It stays crunchy in the fridge for about 2 days. Avoid adding the dressing until you're ready to eat. This keeps the cabbage and carrots from getting soggy. To reheat shrimp, use a skillet on low heat. Cook them for a few minutes until warm. For the tortillas, warm them in a dry skillet for about 30 seconds on each side. This makes them soft and tasty again. Enjoy your tacos just like fresh! Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just make sure to thaw them first. Place the shrimp in a bowl of cold water for about 15-20 minutes. Once thawed, peel and devein them if needed. This method works great and saves time. The spice level depends on your taste. The recipe uses cayenne pepper, which adds heat. You can adjust the amount based on your spice preference. If you want milder tacos, use less cayenne or skip it entirely. For more heat, add extra chili powder or jalapeños. These tacos pair well with several sides. Consider serving them with: - Mexican rice - Black beans - Grilled corn - Fresh salsa - Avocado slices These sides add flavor and make the meal more filling. Enjoy mixing and matching! This article covered how to make delicious shrimp tacos. You learned about all the ingredients and their measurements. I shared step-by-step instructions for marinating shrimp and making lime slaw. You also gained tips for flavor and plating options. We discussed variations, like using different proteins or slaw types. Lastly, I explained how to store leftovers and answered common questions. Now, you can create tasty shrimp tacos that fit your taste. Enjoy making this meal your own!$

Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Slaw

Delicious tacos filled with spicy shrimp and topped with a refreshing lime slaw.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
to taste salt and pepper
8 small corn tortillas
1 cup purple cabbage, thinly sliced
0.5 cup carrots, grated
0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
0.25 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
as needed lime wedges for serving

Instructions

In a bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a marinade.
Add the shrimp to the marinade and coat evenly. Let it marinate for about 15 minutes.
While the shrimp marinates, make the lime slaw. In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced cabbage, grated carrots, and chopped cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, and honey (if using). Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until well combined. Set aside.
Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side or until they are pink and opaque.
While the shrimp are cooking, warm the corn tortillas on the grill or in a separate skillet for 30 seconds on each side until pliable.
To assemble the tacos, place a few shrimp on each tortilla, top with the lime slaw, and drizzle with extra lime juice if desired.
Serve the tacos with lime wedges on the side for an added zesty touch.

Notes

Adjust the cayenne pepper for your preferred spice level.

Keyword lime, shrimp, slaw, spicy, tacos