Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos With Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
These cilantro lime shrimp tacos have been on permanent rotation in my house for years. I make them every couple of months, especially in the summer, and every single time I take a bite I do the involuntary "oh my god" reaction. You know the one. That alone should tell you what you need to know.
The recipe went viral on social media and I still get texts from friends saying they found it while searching for shrimp tacos and made it that same night. Which honestly makes sense because there is something about this specific combination that just hits. The coleslaw is crunchy and fresh, the cilantro lime mayo dressing makes it feel creamy and a little indulgent, but the whole thing is actually really clean and lean. The shrimp takes maybe two minutes per side. The tortillas get a quick char and that little bit of smokiness ties everything together. It tastes like something you ordered at a restaurant, and it comes together faster than you could drive there.
Craving shrimp? Try another shrimp recipe like my Paleo Coconut Shrimp with a Coconut Mango Dipping Sauce.
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
Cilantro-lime shrimp tacos are fresh and savory with a hint of spice and a delicious drizzle of tangy cilantro lime sauce. They are bursting with flavor, and the crunch from the coleslaw is a welcome addition.
This is my husband’s favorite, and it’s bound to become your family’s go-to meal, too! Now, let’s learn how to make the best shrimp tacos!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It actually tastes indulgent. The creamy cilantro lime sauce and crunchy slaw make this feel like a restaurant order. Nobody is guessing it came together in 15 minutes.
Shrimp is one of the leanest proteins you can cook with. High protein, low calorie, and it's done in two minutes per side. Hard to beat that on a weeknight.
It has gone viral for a reason. This recipe has been shared thousands of times and people make it the same night they find it. Once you try it you will understand why.
Jazz's Recommended Products
Here are some of my favorite kitchen tools and ingredients that can help you make the most of this recipe and others:
Caraway Non-Toxic Pan: A fantastic pan for all your cooking needs, from sautéing to frying. It’s stylish and functional—Find it here (use code JAZZ for a discount)
Chosen Foods Mayo: A smooth and creamy mayo perfect for adding richness to your slaw and sauces. You can get it here!
Chosen Foods Avocado Spray: Ideal for cooking shrimp and other proteins with a light touch of avocado oil. Check it out here!
Immersion Blender: This is the easiest hand blender if you want to make a creamy sauce. it takes up no storage space and it’s easy to clean. Find it here!
Citrus Juicer: Essential for extracting fresh lime juice to enhance your taco toppings and sauces. Grab yours here!
Ingredients
SLAW
Coleslaw: Use a premade coleslaw mix.
Mayo: I’m a big advocate of using high-quality ingredients to elevate the taste of your food. Chosen Foods Mayo is my preferred mayonnaise because it’s smooth, creamy, and keto-friendly. It’s also made with 100% pure avocado oil and is free of inflammatory oils like canola and soy.
Apple cider vinegar: This adds a sweet, tangy element to the slaw.
Agave or honey: These natural sweeteners reduce the bitter taste coleslaw can sometimes have.
Seasoning: I want the other flavors to shine through so I season it simply with a pinch of salt and pepper.
SHRIMP
Shrimp: I prefer using jumbo shrimp (about 20-30 count). I use frozen shrimp because it lasts longer than fresh shrimp. Buy it in bulk and you can keep it frozen and thaw as much as you need for this recipe. Three shrimp per taco is a perfect ratio!
Taco seasoning: Season the shrimp generously for maximum flavor. Most taco seasonings contain paprika, oregano, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder so it’s an all-in-one!
Avocado oil: This is what the shrimp will cook in. I use Chosen Foods Avocado Oil.
CILANTRO LIME SAUCE FOR SHRIMP TACOS
Mayo: I use Chosen Foods Mayo.
Lime: Zested and juiced.
Chopped cilantro: For fresh, herby flavor.
Hot sauce: Use your preferred brand of hot sauce. Add a dash, more or less, depending on taste preference.
Seasoning: Add salt and pepper to taste.
OTHER INGREDIENTS
9-12 flour, corn or gluten free tortillas
How to Thaw Frozen Shrimp
There are two methods for thawing frozen shrimp:
The day before you plan to cook, place frozen shrimp in the fridge to defrost overnight.
Run the shrimp in a colander under cold water for 2 minutes. They are small enough to be able to thaw that quickly.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
Prepare the Slaw
To make the slaw for the cilantro tacos, combine the coleslaw, mayo, apple cider vinegar, agave, salt and pepper together in a medium bowl. Mix well for 30 seconds - 60 seconds until the slaw is completely coated. Make any adjustments to the flavor if needed.
Cilantro Lime Sauce
Into a blender or food processor, add mayo, fresh lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Taste to make any adjustments and pour into a small bowl.
Cook the Shrimp
Ensure shrimp is thawed and deveined. Pat the shrimp dry. Transfer into a bowl along with the taco seasoning. Mix well to coat all of the shrimp in the seasoning.
Add avocado oil to a large skillet. Heat on medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add your shrimp, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 1 minute, then flip and cook for another minute.
Remove from the skillet and place on a plate or bowl to assemble.
Char the Tortillas
To char the tortillas, just turn a gas stove on medium-high heat. Place tortillas directly on the flame for 10-20 seconds, and flip and char the other side. Set aside until all tortillas are charred.
Alternatively, if you do not have a gas stove, you can place the tortillas on a sheet pan and bake for 5 minutes at 300F to warm up. For an easy alternative, wrap the tortillas in a moist paper towel or kitchen towel. Place in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Enjoy warm.
Macros
Per serving: (3 corn tortillas, assuming half the sauce gets used across the batch)
Calories: ~560
Protein: ~38g
Carbs: ~50g
Fat: ~23g
Fiber: ~4g
Note the type of mayo, and tortilla you use will slightly alter the macros.
Variations + Substitutions
Mayonnaise: Not a fan of mayonnaise? Instead of using mayo in the slaw and in the sauce- swap it for greek yogurt for higher protein content!
Avocado oil: Swap the avocado oil for butter, coconut oil, or olive oil when cooking the shrimp.
Cilantro: If you’re not a cilantro lover, swap for fresh parsley!
Tortilla: Use any variety of tortillas you prefer; flour, corn, or gluten-free. You can even use large lettuce leaves instead for a low-carb option.
Sauce: The cilantro lime sauce can be replaced with mango salsa, pico de gallo, or avocado crema.
Coleslaw: You can replace the coleslaw with shredded lettuce or kale.
Tips
Make sure the shrimp is dry before seasoning. Otherwise, they will steam instead of developing a crispy exterior. We don’t want soggy shrimp.
Always use cold water to thaw frozen shrimp. Using warm or hot water will alter the texture of the shrimp and possibly cook it.
Watch the pan closely so the shrimp doesn’t overcook; it cooks super fast!
Storage
Store the shrimp, slaw, and cilantro lime sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Each of them will keep fresh for up to 3 days.
When you want to enjoy cilantro lime shrimp tacos, reheat the shrimp over low heat on the stove until warmed through. Char fresh tortillas.
This recipe intentionally makes extra sauce. Use what you need for the tacos and save the rest. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days and is amazing as a dipping sauce, salad dressing, or drizzle over a rice bowl.
Repurposing Leftovers
The leftover slaw can be used on any crispy chicken sandwich with a burger bun. Use the cilantro lime sauce can as a dipping sauce for veggies, protein, or even as a salad dressing. Add the seasoned shrimp to a rice bowl, burrito, or salad.
Other Shrimp Recipes to Try!
If you enjoyed these cilantro lime shrimp tacos, you might also love these other shrimp recipes:
Shrimp Pasta: Try this delicious air-fried Argentinian shrimp pasta for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos: For another take on tacos, check out this easy grilled shrimp tacos recipe. It’s perfect for summer grilling!
Air Fried Buffalo Shrimp: Spice things up with these air fryer buffalo shrimp—a crispy, zesty snack or appetizer.
Air Fried Coconut Shrimp with Sweet Mango Sauce: Enjoy a tropical twist with paleo coconut shrimp served with a sweet mango dipping sauce.
FAQ
-
Cilantro lime shrimp tacos are tasty on their own but can be served with rice and corn with fresh avocado and sliced limes on the side. For adults, margaritas would be a delicious addition.
-
Shrimp is a versatile protein that can be seasoned however you’d like. You can’t go wrong seasoning them with citrus, herbs, and spices like chili pepper (or cayenne pepper if you like it extra spicy) and garlic powder.
-
Yes, using homemade taco seasoning allows you to control the spice level and flavor profile of your tacos. Mix spices like ground cumin, paprika, and chili powder for a custom blend.
-
Absolutely! Add some jalapeño pepper to the slaw or sauce for a spicy shrimp taco version, or mix spicy avocado salsa into the filling.
-
Leftover shrimp taco sauce and slaw can be used as toppings for other dishes, or add them to a rice bowl for a quick meal. Use any extra cilantro or lime wedges to freshen up the flavors.
-
To elevate your tacos, consider adding a variety of favorite toppings to enhance their flavor and texture. For a creamy touch, mix in a dollop of sour cream or little lime juice for extra zing. You can also incorporate additional slices of avocado for creaminess or a handful of bits of fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness. If you enjoy crunch, include shredded cabbage or crisp cabbage for added texture, and switch up the color and taste with some red cabbage. For a flavorful twist, try adding a cabbage slaw with red onion or any other mix-ins that complement your easy shrimp tacos recipe.
These cilantro lime shrimp tacos are a great recipe for any occasion, from a quick easy weeknight dinner to your next Taco Tuesday. Whether you prefer spicy shrimp tacos or a milder version, this easy shrimp taco recipe can be customized to suit your taste.
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients
- 4 cups of coleslaw
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of agave or honey
- Pinch of salt, to taste
- Pinch of pepper, to taste
- 16 oz shrimp, I prefer using jumbo shrimp (about 20-30 count)
- 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil for cooking
- 9-12 tortillas of choice
Instructions
- To make the slaw, combine the coleslaw, mayo, apple cider vinegar, agave, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Mix well for 30 seconds - 60 seconds until the slaw is completely coated.
- Make any adjustments to the flavor if needed.
- Into a blender or food processor, add mayo, lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Taste to make any adjustments and pour into a small bowl.
- Ensure shrimp is thawed and deveined. Pat the shrimp dry.
- Transfer into a bowl along with the taco seasoning. Mix well to coat all of the shrimp in the seasoning.
- Add avocado oil to a large skillet. Heat on medium/high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add your shrimp, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 1 minute, then flip and cook for another minute.
- Remove from the skillet and place on a plate or bowl to assemble.
- To char the tortillas, just turn a gas stove on medium high heat. Place the tortilla directly on the flame for 10-20 seconds, flip and char the other side. Set aside until all tortillas are charred.
- Alternatively, if you do not have a gas stove, you can place the tortillas on a sheet pan and bake for 5 minutes at 300F to warm up.
- For an easy alternative, wrap the tortillas in a moist paper towel or kitchen towel. Place in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Enjoy warm.
Hey, I’m Jazz
I’m a nutritional therapist practitioner and spent 3 years as a personal chef to NBA athletes. Follow along for easy, attainable and healthy recipes in under 30 minutes!
Watch The Totorial
Trending Posts
Rent the SNOO Smart Sleeper for blissful baby sleep! Dr. Harvey Karp's innovation soothes your little one, making bedtime a breeze.