Best Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Jalapeño Slaw
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These are the absolute best shrimp tacos ever. They’re piled high with tender, flavorful shrimp and a simply delicious taco slaw, then drizzled with cilantro lime pickled jalapeño sauce and finished with all the tasty toppings. Ready in just 30 minutes!
While I believe all tacos are good, I want to show you how to make the best shrimp tacos ever. When developing this recipe, I knew I had hit a winning version when my taste testers couldn’t stop telling me how much they loved them.
My almost famous taco sauce with pickled jalapeño does double duty as a coleslaw dressing, turning some humble cabbage into the world’s simplest (and arguably the most delicious) creamy cilantro-lime coleslaw. Warm tortillas piled high with succulent shrimp and topped to your heart’s desire with taco sauce, avocado, cheese, and red onions are pure paradise.
And it’s not just our taste testers who love this recipe. With almost 150 5-star reviews, you know it’s a hit. One reader, Aliza, says, “Such a great recipe. This is in regular rotation in our house. My daughter uses the sauce as a sandwich spread now too. My son, who is about to move out, asked for this recipe to be one of his “go-to” options. Highly recommend this recipe.★★★★★”
Key ingredients needed
- Shrimp – I like to use medium-sized shrimp for this recipe. Whenever possible, buy shrimp that are MSC or ASC-certified to ensure that they were harvested or raised with minimal negative effects on the ocean.
- Taco seasoning – The best way to season shrimp for tacos is to use homemade taco seasoning. Of course, you can use a storebought package, but homemade is so much better.
- Cabbage – For the best results, slice the cabbage thin and then tossed it in some of the taco sauce to make a simple slaw.
- Tortillas – Either corn or flour tortillas will work, although my preference is for white corn tortillas.
Let’s talk shrimp taco sauce
Shrimp tacos are only as good as the sauce that smothers them, and we think this shrimp taco sauce is the best! It’s a creamy cilantro-lime sauce with a special ingredient blended in: pickled jalapeños. They add a touch of heat without making the sauce overly spicy and deliver the best flavor.
This taco sauce will take you five minutes (at most!) to whip up in your food processor. Once it’s smooth and creamy, mix ¼ cup into shredded cabbage to make your slaw, then save the rest to pour over your tacos.
What to serve with shrimp tacos
These tacos with slaw are easily a meal all by themselves, but turning them into a Mexican feast is so much fun! Here are a few other recipes that go great with these tacos:
- Easy Guacamole made in just 5 minutes
- Spicy Mexican Rice made with corn
- Corn Salsa with Black Beans
- Or try one of my many other margarita recipes
Store and reheat
Store: Place each taco element (shrimp, coleslaw, sauce) in a separate container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheat: The shrimp reheats well in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave.
Shrimp Tacos with Slaw Recipe
Ingredients
Shrimp Taco Sauce
- ½ cup finely minced cilantro
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup pickled jalapeños
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 green onion
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1 pinch sea salt
Shrimp Tacos
- 1 ½ lb peeled shrimp (see notes)
- 1 ½ tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (see notes)
Everything Else
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 12 4-inch corn or flour tortillas
- diced avocados, cotija or feta cheese, minced red onion, pickled jalapeños, lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Add the shrimp taco sauce ingredients to your food processor and blend on high until mostly smooth.½ cup finely minced cilantro, ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup pickled jalapeños, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 green onion, 1 large garlic clove, 1 pinch sea salt
- In a large bowl, mix the shrimp with taco seasoning, oil, and salt. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and let them cook for 2 minutes. Flip them over and let them cook for one minute more.1 ½ lb peeled shrimp, 1 ½ tablespoons taco seasoning, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Mix ¼ cup of the shrimp taco sauce with shredded cabbage to make the slaw.2 cups shredded cabbage
- Assemble the tacos by piling the slaw on top of warm tortillas then topping with the shrimp and any or all of the optional toppings.12 4-inch corn or flour tortillas, diced avocados, cotija or feta cheese, minced red onion, pickled jalapeños, lime wedges
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Totally yummy and easy to make. The blend of cool and spice creamy and crunchy make it very satisfying. A real gem of a recipe
Hey there! First of all, let me start by saying that your shrimp tacos recipe is a game-changer! I stumbled upon it while searching for a quick and flavorful dinner idea, and boy, am I glad I found it. The combination of tender, flavorful shrimp with the mouthwatering taco slaw is simply divine. And that cilantro lime pickled jalapeño sauce takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness. I can’t wait to give it a try!
I’m a huge fan of shrimp recipes, so discovering your blog and this incredible shrimp taco recipe feels like hitting the jackpot. The fact that it’s an option that can be prepared in just 30 minutes is even better. I’m always on the lookout for tasty yet time-efficient meals, and this one definitely ticks all the boxes.
I really appreciate the detailed instructions you provided, including tips and suggestions for serving. It’s evident that you put a lot of thought and effort into creating this recipe. I’ll definitely be checking out your other taco recipes and exploring more of your culinary creations. Thank you for sharing this gem of a recipe with us, and keep up the fantastic work!
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I tried this and my mom just loved this recipe.
these shrimp tacos are awesome and i love that jalapeno pickled sauce. it really makes it pop
Such a really delicious recipe!! Perfect for our taco nights!
I’ve made this recipe so many times and the whole family loves it. No special equipment. Comes together quickly. Thanks so much for a wonderful recipe!
Your email popped into my inbox yesterday, and this recipe made my mouth water. So I went home and made the tacos for dinner. Oh. My. Goodness!!! Hubby and I were thrilled with the results. Thank you! This recipe is being added to ‘the rotation’.
I made these AS the recipe is written… it was delicious. I wouldn’t change a thing. Tonight I am trying it as fish tacos using cod.
I made these shrimp tacos with creamy pickled jalapeño slaw for my family last night and they loved them! They’re a delicious twist on a classic dish. I’m a self-described foodie who’s never had shrimp before and this recipe was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten!
Oooh these shrimp tacos are making my mouth water just by looking at them! The coleslaw looks really great too!
I loved this recipe so much!!
This recipe was SO easy and SO delicious. I have one kid who is a picky eater and he couldn’t get over how good this was. My other kid ate a shockingly large amount of this. Definitely being added to our rotation. Thank you!
I made this as is and I wouldn’t change a thing. The taco sauce is excellent and could be used for all kinds of things.
I also made your taco seasoning and I really liked it too. I’ve tried several others and I like this one the best. Thank you!
The only complaint I get from my picky family is that there isn’t enough. I’ve made this twice with 2 bags of shrimp. Going to have to double it next time.
I use Calamansi instead of lime & bird’s eye chili paste that i make from scratch!
perfect!
Absolutely delicious!
Did not change a thing with the original recipe.
Will definitely make again & again!