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

Shrimp Tacos with Best Shrimp Taco Sauce

5 from 742 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), raw
  • 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:

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
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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5 from 742 votes (517 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Elizabeth
    September 3, 2024

    Best shrimp tacos EVER! And super easy. I used raw shrimp and spice was perfect. I. Plus use the sauce on everything! Thank you!

    Reply

  • Sandy
    September 1, 2024

    I’m mad at you, Natasha! I made these tacos and now I can’t think of anything else but how INCREDIBLE they are!!! In our house, we refer to the crema as “Magic Sauce”. Thank you again for yet another wonderful recipe! 💕

    Reply

  • Mark Roberts
    August 31, 2024

    These were outstanding. Really nice fresh taste and everyone loved them.

    Reply

  • Shelly Colson
    August 27, 2024

    These were great ! I did not use American sour creme but spanish sour creme . Deff restaraunt quality ! Thank you !

    Reply

  • Penny G Agrella
    August 24, 2024

    Made these today and they were awesome!!! Love this recipe!!! Thank you!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 24, 2024

      So glad to hear that!

      Reply

  • Veronica
    August 21, 2024

    Could I use shrimp already cooked or does it have to be raw

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 21, 2024

      We used raw shrimps, cooked should be fine if it’s seasoned the same way.

      Reply

  • Monica
    August 20, 2024

    I made these tonight and they were amazing! I love a good shrimp taco and usually go to a local taco truck to get them and I have to say these are a solid substitute for those. I’ll definitely be making these again.

    Reply

  • Pat
    August 15, 2024

    How far in advance, can I make the taco sauce?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 15, 2024

      Hi Pat, it may last a few days if stored properly in the fridge. I personally haven’t had it in the fridge for longer than two days; it doesn’t last long enough in our house, haha. But a think a couple of days will be fine.

      Reply

  • Srenee
    August 13, 2024

    Wow!!!! These were AMAZING!!! Highly recommend this recipe. This will be on rotation!!

    Reply

  • Lori
    August 10, 2024

    This recipe is easy and came out great!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 10, 2024

      So glad to hear that!

      Reply

  • Cindy
    August 8, 2024

    Awesome recipe!!
    Off the chain. Top Restaurant quality

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 8, 2024

      Thank you so much for that wonderful review, Cindy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Paul
    August 6, 2024

    This makes 8 tacos. Is the Nutrition per serving for 1 taco?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 6, 2024

      Hi Paul, yes that’s correct!

      Reply

  • Suzanne
    August 5, 2024

    OMG!!! Enough said. I could eat these every day!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 5, 2024

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Suzanne!

      Reply

  • Lucy
    July 29, 2024

    Is there any way to reduce the calorie count per taco and still keep the good flavor? I have a feeling that for dinner I’d need 2-3 which would be over 600-900 calories -which is probably ok for my kids who have giant metabolisms but not for me! Any suggestions appreciated!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 29, 2024

      Hi Lucy! I haven’t made any substitutions to this recipe but you should be able to modify things such as low fat sour cream, light Mayo,
      Low carb tortillas, etc.
      I hope that helps.

      Reply

      • Janae
        August 3, 2024

        I made the sauce with Fage 0% Greek Yogurt as a sub for sour cream, high in protein and a bit healthier, for example!

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          August 3, 2024

          Thanks so much for sharing!

          Reply

  • Saint
    July 25, 2024

    Thank you for helping me a fantastic impression on a first stay home date. These were so good and fun to eat. Will definitely be a staple!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 25, 2024

      You’re very welcome! I’m so glad they were a hit!

      Reply

  • Gordon Hirshman
    July 23, 2024

    For the sauce I used the mayo, sour cream, lime juice and some salsa verde… Great.

    Reply

  • Whitney
    July 19, 2024

    This is absolutely delicious! No need to change A THING! Love ur recipes!!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 19, 2024

      I’m so glad you love them! Thank you.

      Reply

  • Pamela
    July 13, 2024

    My husband will not quit talking about these tacos! They will be a permanent fixture in our meal rotation.

    Reply

  • Seattle cook
    July 11, 2024

    Best shrimp tacos. Seasoning on shrimp has the perfect spice and the sauce takes this taco to a different level. This is our “go to” shrimp taco recipe. We have made it over a dozen times.

    Reply

  • Debra
    July 11, 2024

    Made this recipe last night and we really enjoyed our tacos. Definitely a keeper. Thank you.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 11, 2024

      You’re welcome, Debra!

      Reply

    • Cathy
      July 22, 2024

      I don’t think I have ever made a bad dish of yours this is the second time I have made these tacos we love them

      Reply

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