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Close-up of three seasoned Shrimp Tacos filled with slaw, cheese, and cilantro on a wooden board with fresh limes.

Easy Shrimp Tacos with Slaw in 20 Minutes!

Whip up these vibrant and flavorful shrimp tacos in just 20 minutes! Perfectly seasoned shrimp, a zesty creamy slaw, and warm tortillas make for a quick, delicious, and satisfying weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 12 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion, Mexican
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Creamy Slaw
  • 1 bag coleslaw mix 14 oz, shredded cabbage and carrots
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp honey or agave
  • 1/2 tsp hot sauce optional
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
For the Seasoned Shrimp
  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled, deveined, tails off
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 tbsp taco seasoning low sodium preferred
  • 1/2 lime lime for wedges, optional for serving
For Assembly & Toppings
  • 8 small flour or corn tortillas
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish, optional
  • 1 avocado sliced or diced, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small Mixing Bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Tongs

Method
 

Prepare the Creamy Slaw
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the coleslaw mix.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, honey, hot sauce (if using), salt, and black pepper until smooth.
  3. Pour the dressing over the coleslaw mix and toss until thoroughly coated. Set aside to allow flavors to meld while you prepare the shrimp.
Cook the Seasoned Shrimp
  1. Pat the peeled and deveined shrimp very dry with paper towels. This helps them sear better.
  2. In a medium bowl, toss the dried shrimp with olive oil and taco seasoning until evenly coated.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink, opaque, and cooked through. Avoid overcooking to keep them tender.
  4. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Warm Tortillas and Assemble
  1. While the skillet is still warm (or use a microwave/oven), quickly warm the tortillas. You can do this by placing them directly on the warm skillet for about 30 seconds per side until pliable, or wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-60 seconds.
  2. To assemble the tacos, place a spoonful of creamy slaw onto each warm tortilla, then top with 3-4 pieces of cooked shrimp.
  3. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the shrimp seasoning or a bit more hot sauce to the slaw. If you prefer grilled shrimp, cook them on a hot grill for 1-2 minutes per side instead of pan-frying. Leftover slaw can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Shrimp is best enjoyed fresh.