Description
Take your taco night to the next level with these Spicy Shrimp Tacos! Juicy, flavorful shrimp coated in bold spices are paired with a refreshing cilantro lime slaw and drizzled with a creamy Sriracha sauce for the perfect balance of heat, tang, and crunch. These tacos come together in just 30 minutes, making them an easy yet impressive meal for any occasion!
Ingredients
For the Spicy Shrimp:
- 20 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Cilantro Lime Slaw:
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (green or purple)
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ jalapeño, seeded and finely diced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Sriracha Sauce:
- ¼ cup ranch dressing (or sour cream or Greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (adjust to spice preference)
For the Tacos:
- 6 small corn or flour tortillas
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Slaw
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño.
- Drizzle with olive oil, honey, and lime juice.
- Toss to coat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Set aside and let the flavors meld while preparing the shrimp.
Step 2: Cook the Spicy Shrimp
- In a bowl, mix shrimp with olive oil, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Toss until well coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until shrimp turn pink and slightly crispy.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sriracha Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing (or sour cream/Greek yogurt) and Sriracha.
- Taste and adjust spice level if needed.
Step 4: Assemble the Tacos
- Optionally, lightly char tortillas over an open flame or in a dry skillet for extra flavor.
- Place 4-5 shrimp in each tortilla.
- Top with a generous scoop of slaw.
- Drizzle with creamy Sriracha sauce.
- Serve with lime wedges on the side and enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Milder Option: Reduce or omit Sriracha in the sauce and use less paprika in the shrimp seasoning.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas.
- Meal Prep: Slaw and sauce can be made 24 hours ahead and stored in the fridge. Shrimp should be cooked fresh for best flavor.
- Air Fryer Shrimp: Cook seasoned shrimp in an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-seared
- Cuisine: Mexican, Fusion