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:

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

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Shrimp Tacos with Best Shrimp Taco Sauce

5 from 688 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
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.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 Tacos

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), or Hard Taco Shells
  • 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

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 Per Serving

308kcal Calories21g Carbs17g Protein18g Fat5g Saturated Fat163mg Cholesterol849mg Sodium391mg Potassium5g Fiber4g Sugar739IU Vitamin A39mg Vitamin C218mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Shrimp Tacos with Best Shrimp Taco Sauce
Amount per Serving
Calories
308
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
18
g
28
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Cholesterol
 
163
mg
54
%
Sodium
 
849
mg
37
%
Potassium
 
391
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
 
21
g
7
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
17
g
34
%
Vitamin A
 
739
IU
15
%
Vitamin C
 
39
mg
47
%
Calcium
 
218
mg
22
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: shrimp taco sauce, shrimp tacos
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 308

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

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.

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • dot
    March 27, 2024

    You were right!! The sauce is just incredible. The whole meal was fantastic. Thank you

    Reply

  • Elena
    March 27, 2024

    Hi Natasha
    Is there something that I can replace the cumin with? Thank you.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 27, 2024

      Hi Elena! Common substitutes are coriander, chili powder, taco seasoning, paprika, even curry powder. Feel free to experiment with different flavors.

      Reply

  • Alane
    March 24, 2024

    Amazing! Every part was perfect and we love the way you heat the tortillas. So authentic tasting. We didn’t have Cotija cheese but they were perfect. Next time we will add it and they will be even better, if that is possible!

    Reply

  • Dina
    March 21, 2024

    I don’t have cotija cheese. Is it essential in this recipe? Any substitutes? Thank you!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 22, 2024

      Hi Dina! We love the addition of the cheese but you can omit. They’ll still be great!

      Reply

  • Christy
    March 21, 2024

    Very nice and light. The only thing that I changed was the sauce. I used chipotle adobo sauce instead of Sriracha sauce.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 21, 2024

      Sounds good! Thak you for sharing, glad that you love it!

      Reply

  • Savana
    March 20, 2024

    Such a great shrimp taco recipe!! Good as is! We added a little extra Sriracha to the taco sauce to add a little more spice!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 20, 2024

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Savana!

      Reply

  • Juliana Atkins
    March 16, 2024

    Wow wow wow! Fantastic recipe. This was delicious. Best shrimp tacos my family has ever had. If I had more shrimp , I would make it again tonight.

    Reply

  • Michelle T
    March 12, 2024

    We really loved this recipe! Truly delightful. This is going to be a regular go to meal from here on in. I’ll have to take a look at some of your other recipes. Thank you Natasha

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 12, 2024

      I’m so glad you all loved it, Michelle! That’s so great! I hope you get to try more of my recipes very soon! Thank you for your wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Jamie
    March 5, 2024

    Super easy, and super fun. Great tasting finger food for the whole family. My daughter love making her tacos to match her taste

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 6, 2024

      Great to hear that, Jamie! Thanks a lot for sharing.

      Reply

  • Candice C. Lomax
    March 2, 2024

    Made these tacos for myself and it was a delicious treat for this momma solo lunch!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 2, 2024

      I’m so glad you loved the recipe, Candice!

      Reply

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