Home > Main Course > Shrimp Tacos with Best Shrimp Taco Sauce (VIDEO)

April 3, 2020

Shrimp Tacos with Best Shrimp Taco Sauce (VIDEO)

Name: Shrimp Tacos with Best Shrimp Taco Sauce
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 lb shrimp (medium or large); 1 garlic clove (pressed or minced); 1/2 tsp sea salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 tsp ground cumin; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 8 white corn tortillas ((small, 6” diameter) ); 1/2 small purple cabbage (2 cups shredded); 1 large avocado (pitted, peeled and diced); 1/2 red onion (diced); 4 oz Cotija cheese ((1 cup grated on a box grater)); 1/4 bunch cilantro (coarsely chopped); 1 lime (cut into 8 wedges); 1/3 cup sour cream; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice (squeezed from 1 medium lime); 3/4 tsp garlic powder; 3/4 tsp Sriracha sauce (or to taste)

These Shrimp Tacos are loaded with plump juicy shrimp, crisp cabbage, avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro and an easy shrimp taco sauce that will win you over. They are served over toasted corn tortillas so they are naturally gluten-free.

Shrimp tacos on a platter drizzled with shrimp taco sauce

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What makes these Shrimp Tacos is the mouthwatering Shrimp Taco Sauce! This is the same sauce we use on our famous Fish Tacos and it’s mesmerizing. These tacos are an easy 30-minute meal that comes together fast. Taco night will never be the same!

Watch How to Make Shrimp Tacos:

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Shrimp Taco up close with shrimp, avocado, cabbage, cilantro and red onion drizzled with shrimp taco sauce

Ingredients for Shrimp Tacos:

Shrimp – We used large 21-25 count shrimp, but the medium (26-30 count) or even small shrimp (31-35 count) would work well. Keep in mind smaller shrimp will cook faster.
Red Cabbage – the color and flavor is perfect for tacos, but you can sub with green cabbage or even a coleslaw blend
Cheese – Cotija is a Mexican cheese that is the traditional cheese for Mexican tacos. I found cotija at the grocery store next to the refrigerated tortillas.
Toppings – avocado, red onion, and cilantro are our go-to toppings for tacos.

Shrimp Taco Ingredients with tortillas, raw shrimp, seasonings in bowl, avocado, cabbage and cotija cheese

The Best Tortillas for Shrimp Tacos:

Corn tortillas are best for making shrimp tacos. Either yellow or white corn tortillas will do but we love the flavor and texture of white corn tortillas best. Also, corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free which is always appreciated by those with food sensitivities.
Flour tortillas will work if that is what you have on hand, but corn tortillas are the traditional and more authentic choice for Mexican tacos.

Our Go-To Shrimp Taco Sauce:

We use an easy garlic-lime crema with just a touch of spice from the hot sauce. If you love spicy shrimp tacos, add more sriracha hot sauce to taste. If you like it mild, add less hot sauce.

Serve this with a spoon or transfer to a zip bag to drizzle, but serving it out of a squeeze bottle makes it feel like dining out.

Shrimp taco sauce stirred together in a bowl with whisk

How to Toast Tortillas for Tacos:

Over a Gas Stove Flame – We love this method for authentic lightly charred edges. Toast the tortilla directly over a medium/low open flame on a gas stove. Use tongs to rotate the tortilla about every 5 seconds. Flip as soon as the tortilla is lightly blackened on the edges and repeat with the second side. Keep your eye on that tortilla and adjust the flame as needed because they can burn quickly.
On a Griddle – This is our favorite way to make a bunch of tortillas at once. Preheat a dry griddle to medium/high heat. Add tortillas in a single layer and toast 15-30 seconds per side until golden brown in some spots on each side.
On a Skillet (preferably cast iron)- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tortillas in a single layer (a very large pan can accommodate up to 3 at a time) and toast 15-30 seconds on each side until golden and hot on each side.

Ingredients for serving shrimp tacos arranged on a platter with toasted tortillas

Keep these Shrimp Tacos in mind for your next Taco Night and make a taco bar out of it.

Love Tacos? Try these Taco Recipes Next:

Fish Tacos – our #1 recipe for 3 years in a row
Ground Beef Tacos – easy peasy and so juicy
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos – with tender shredded chicken
Beef Bulgogi Tacos – Korean beef tacos

Side profile of tacos laying on platter loaded with shrimp and drizzled with sauce

Shrimp Tacos with Best Shrimp Taco Sauce

5 from 58 votes

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Shrimp taco up close on platter drizzled with sauce

These Shrimp Tacos are a must-try - loaded with plump juicy shrimp, crisp cabbage, avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro and a lime crema sauce that will win you over. We serve these over toasted tortillas.

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $20-$25

Keyword: shrimp taco sauce, shrimp tacos

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Course: Main Course

Calories: 308 kcal

Servings: 8 Tacos

Ingredients

For the Shrimp:

1 lb shrimp (medium or large)
1 garlic clove pressed or minced
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil

Shrimp Taco Toppings:

8 white corn tortillas (small, 6” diameter)
1/2 small purple cabbage 2 cups shredded
1 large avocado pitted, peeled and diced
1/2 red onion diced
4 oz Cotija cheese (1 cup grated on a box grater)
1/4 bunch cilantro coarsely chopped
1 lime cut into 8 wedges

Shrimp Taco Sauce Ingredients:

1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice squeezed from 1 medium lime
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp Sriracha sauce or to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Thaw and pat dry shrimp with paper towels and place in a medium bowl. Add seasonings and garlic and stir to combine.
Place a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil and add shrimp in a single layer. Sauté 1-2 minutes per side or just until cooked through. As soon as they are cooked through (white inside with some pink and red accents outside), transfer to a serving platter and set aside to cool.
Toast 8 tortillas over an open gas stovetop flame on medium/low heat (about 10 seconds per side) until lightly charred on the edges (or on a medium-hot skillet or griddle) until golden brown in some spots (30 seconds per side).
Thinly slice cabbage, dice the avocado, finely dice the red onion, and coarsley chop the cilantro. Add these to your serving platter along with lime wedges. Build tacos by arranging toppings and shrimp over each toasted tortilla.
In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients and serve with assembled shrimp tacos.

Nutrition Facts

Shrimp Tacos with Best Shrimp Taco Sauce

Amount Per Serving

Calories 308 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 163mg54%

Sodium 849mg37%

Potassium 391mg11%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 17g34%

Vitamin A 739IU15%

Vitamin C 39mg47%

Calcium 218mg22%

Iron 2mg11%

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

Nutrition Disclosure

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Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.