Best Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Every Friday night in our house means taco night, and these shrimp tacos have become Emma's absolute favorite. I've been making them for about three years now, ever since I figured out the perfect spice blend during one of those "what's for dinner?" moments. The secret isn't fancy ingredients - it's all about getting the shrimp cooked just right and making that creamy sauce that Emma calls "the magic stuff."

Three corn tortillas filled with grilled Shrimp Tacos, shredded cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and crumbled cheese, with lime wedges visible in the background

Why You'll Love This Shrimp Tacos Recipe

These shrimp tacos are just really good - the shrimp stays tender, the toppings are fresh and crunchy, and that sauce makes everything taste great together. Emma can eat three of them easily, which says a lot since she's usually picky about seafood. They don't take long to make, but they feel special enough for when we have people over.

What I love most is how forgiving this recipe is. If you cook the shrimp a minute too long, they're still fine. If you forget to buy one topping, no big deal. Emma has helped me make these probably fifty times now, and even when she spills something or messes up a step, they still turn out delicious. Plus, they're way cheaper than ordering takeout and honestly taste better too.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Ingredients for Perfect Shrimp Tacos
How To Make Shrimp Tacos Step By Step
Substitutions For Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Storing Your Shrimp Tacos
Equipment For Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Shrimp Tacos Recipe Variations
The Secret Recipe My Cousin Will Never Share
Top Tip
What to Serve With Shrimp Tacos
FAQ
Your New Taco Night Winner!
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Pairing
Shrimp Tacos

Ingredients for Perfect Shrimp Tacos

The Shrimp:

Large raw shrimp
Chili powder
Cumin
Paprika
Garlic powder
Lime juice
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

The Assembly:

Corn or flour tortillas
Red cabbage
Fresh cilantro
Lime wedges
Red onion
Avocado slices

A white marble countertop with a speckled bowl of large raw shrimp; small glass bowls of olive oil, lime juice, and minced garlic; ramekins of chili powder, cumin, paprika, and salt & pepper; a stack of corn and flour tortillas; sliced avocado and lime halves; shredded red cabbage; and a bunch of fresh cilantro.

The Sauce:

Mayonnaise
Sour cream
Lime juice
Garlic
Hot sauce
Cilantro

Optional Stuff:

Pineapple salsa
Mango chunks
Pickled jalapeños
Cotija cheese

See recipe card for quantities.

On white marble, small bowls hold mayonnaise, sour cream, pineapple salsa, mango chunks, hot sauce, and crumbled cotija cheese; alongside are a shot glass of lime juice, a ramekin of pickled jalapeños, a bowl of minced garlic, sliced jalapeño–onion mix, and fresh cilantro sprigs.

How To Make Shrimp Tacos Step By Step

Getting the Shrimp Ready:

Pat shrimp dry with paper towels
Mix all the spices together in a bowl
Toss shrimp with the spice mix
Let them sit for about 15 minutes

Close-up overhead of a food-processor bowl containing finely diced green jalapeños and red onion around the blade, on a marble surface.

Cooking Time:

Heat your skillet until it's hot
Cook shrimp about 90 seconds per side
Don't crowd them in the pan
They're done when they turn pink with brown edges

Top-down view of chunky avocado-tomato-cilantro guacamole in a clear glass bowl, with a wooden spoon coated in guacamole resting inside.

Making the Sauce:

Mix mayo, sour cream, lime juice, and garlic
Add hot sauce to taste
Chop up some cilantro and stir it in
Let it sit while you finish everything else

Overhead shot of a clear glass bowl of raw shrimp tossed in a red-brown chili-cumin-paprika spice blend, being stirred with an orange silicone spatula on marble.

Putting It All Together:

Drizzle with sauce and squeeze lime over everything
Warm your tortillas
Put some shrimp in each tortilla
Add cabbage, onion, avocado

A speckled ceramic bowl filled with perfectly seared, spice-coated shrimp and two stainless steel serving spoons, set on a white marble countertop.

Substitutions For Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Different Proteins:

Chicken strips → Shrimp (same cooking time)
Fish fillets → Shrimp (cut into chunks)
Ground turkey → Shrimp (season the same way)
Tofu → Shrimp (press dry first)

Tortilla Swaps:

Corn tortillas → Flour tortillas
Hard shells → Soft tortillas
Lettuce wraps → Regular tortillas (for low-carb)
Naan bread → Tortillas (Emma's idea)

Sauce Changes:

Greek yogurt → Sour cream
Avocado → Mayo base
Ranch dressing → Homemade sauce (kids love this)
Just lime juice → Full sauce (when rushed)

Vegetable Options:

Purple cabbage → Green cabbage
Lettuce → Cabbage (less crunch)
Cucumber → Onion (for extra crunch)
Whatever's in fridge → Planned toppings

Storing Your Shrimp Tacos

How to Store:

Keep everything separate
Cooked shrimp lasts 2-3 days in the fridge
Sauce keeps up to a week
Prep vegetables the day you're eating them

Reheating:

Warm shrimp gently in a skillet
Don't microwave the assembled tacos
Get new vegetables before serving
Make sauce fresh when you can

Make-Ahead:

Emma can put them together herself now
Cook extra shrimp on Sunday
Store the seasoned mixture
Quick weeknight assembly

Equipment For Shrimp Tacos Recipe

Large skillet or grill pan
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Mixing bowls
Tongs

Shrimp Tacos Recipe Variations

Bang Bang Style:

Sweet chili sauce
Sriracha mayo
Crispy lettuce
Sesame seeds

Baja Style:

Beer-battered shrimp
Cabbage slaw
Pico de gallo
Lime crema

Tropical:

Coconut shrimp
Pineapple salsa
Jicama slaw
Mango sauce

Street Style:

Grilled corn
Cotija cheese
Cilantro lime sauce
Pickled onions

Emma's Version:

Extra cheese
No onions
Double sauce
Cut-up avocado instead of slices

My cousin makes the best shrimp tacos I've ever had, but she won't tell anyone how she does it. Last summer at our family reunion, Emma and I watched her like hawks while she cooked. We finally figured out she adds a tiny bit of maple syrup to her spice mix - just about half a teaspoon - and it makes the shrimp get these brown edges. But here's what really makes them special: she saves the juice from a jar of pickled jalapeños and adds a tablespoon to her sauce.

It gives it this tangy kick that's not too spicy but makes everything taste better. Emma was the one who caught her sneaking to the fridge with that jar. Now when we make our tacos, we always add both of these things. The maple syrup makes the shrimp look prettier, and the pickle juice makes people ask "what's different about these?" My cousin still doesn't know we figured it out, and we're not telling her.

Top Tip

The secret to restaurant-quality shrimp tacos at home? Don't move the shrimp around too much when they're cooking. Let them sit in the hot pan for the full 90 seconds before flipping - that's how you get those beautiful brown edges that make all the difference. Emma learned this by watching me mess it up a few times first. Also, always pat your shrimp completely dry before seasoning them. Wet shrimp won't get that nice sear, and they'll steam instead of getting crispy.

Here's something most people don't know - let your seasoned shrimp sit for at least 15 minutes before cooking. This gives the spices time to stick to the shrimp instead of falling off in the pan. Emma always sets a timer for this part because I used to forget and rush it. And one more thing - don't crowd the pan. Cook the shrimp in two batches if you have to.

What to Serve With Shrimp Tacos

These tacos are pretty filling on their own, but we usually make a few sides to go with them. Emma's favorite is Mexican rice - the kind from the box works fine, but sometimes I make it from scratch when I have time. Black beans with a little cumin are good too, and corn salad with lime always disappears fast. Guacamole is obvious, but even the store-bought stuff works when you're in a hurry.

When we have people over, I'll grill some corn on the cob and make a bigger bean and corn salad. Chips and salsa are always a hit, and the adults like cold beer with these. For quick weeknight dinners, I just grab a bagged salad and put lime dressing on it, heat up some canned black beans, and make microwave rice. Emma likes to make "taco boats" by putting everything in a big lettuce leaf when we run out of tortillas - it works pretty well and makes her feel like she invented something.

FAQ

What are the best ingredients for shrimp tacos?

The best shrimp tacos start with large, fresh shrimp seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and paprika. You need shredded cabbage, fresh cilantro, lime, and a creamy sauce. Good corn tortillas and ripe avocado finish it off. Don't overthink it - fresh ingredients make the biggest difference.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when making shrimp tacos?

The biggest mistakes are overcooking the shrimp, using cold tortillas, and making the sauce too thick. Cook shrimp just until pink, warm tortillas properly, and thin sauce with lime juice. Don't overfill tacos or they'll fall apart when you try to eat them.

What is in Kylie Jenner shrimp tacos?

I can't speak to celebrity recipes, but popular shrimp taco combinations usually include seasoned shrimp, cabbage slaw, avocado, cilantro, and a spicy mayo-based sauce. The key is balancing flavors and textures so every bite tastes good together.

Can I put taco seasoning on shrimp?

Yes! Taco seasoning works great on shrimp. But homemade seasoning with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder gives you better control. Store-bought packets can be really salty, so taste before adding extra salt to your shrimp.

Your New Taco Night Winner!

Now you've got all the tricks to make really good shrimp tacos at home - from getting the shrimp seasoned right to my cousin's secret pickle juice trick. These tacos have become our Friday night thing, and Emma can pretty much make them by herself now (with a little help on the stove part).

Want more family favorites? Try our Easy Chicken Curry Recipe that's mild enough for kids but still good for adults. Our The Best Chicken Salad Recipe is great for lunch or when you need something for a potluck. And our Easy Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe makes a good appetizer when you're having people over!

Why You'll Love This Shrimp Tacos Recipe