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These quick and easy shrimp tacos are the ideal solution for hectic weeknights! Tender, succulent shrimp are seasoned with a delightful spice mix, then wrapped in warm flour tortillas and topped with your favorite garnishes.
If you’re a taco enthusiast like I am, you might also enjoy these Baja fish tacos, spicy blackened salmon tacos, or hearty carne asada tacos when you’re craving something meaty!
Simple Shrimp Tacos Recipe
This is the ultimate taco recipe for seafood lovers in your household. Juicy shrimp are sautéed with onions, garlic, and aromatic spices that infuse incredible flavor into every bite!
All you need to do is place the cooked shrimp into warm flour or corn tortillas, add your preferred toppings, and voilà! You have a meal that’s worthy of applause. Get ready for an irresistible addiction to these shrimp tacos!
Ingredients for Shrimp Tacos
As long as you have shrimp on hand, you’ll likely already possess most of the seasonings needed to create these flavorful tacos. Despite their simplicity, the taste is anything but basic! Be prepared to make extra servings—my family often goes back for seconds (or thirds)! Check out the recipe card below for precise measurements.
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Shrimp: I recommend using peeled medium-sized shrimp. If you’re using frozen ones, ensure they’re fully thawed before cooking.
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Olive Oil: This will be used to cook the shrimp; feel free to substitute it with your preferred cooking oil!
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Seasonings & Spices: The seasoning blend includes garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and chili powder—this combination delivers a warm savory flavor with just enough kick!
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Flour Tortillas: Medium-sized tortillas work best as they can hold all of the filling while being easy to manage. You can use store-bought or make homemade tortillas using my simple recipe here!
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Toppings (Optional): Customize according to your taste! My go-to toppings include sliced avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt salsa shredded cabbage along with pico de gallo red onions fresh cilantro—and don’t forget a drizzle of homemade cilantro ranch sauce!
What Size Shrimp Should You Use?
I typically opt for 31-40 count per pound frozen raw shrimp; however smaller or larger varieties can work too—just adjust cooking times accordingly.
How To Prepare Perfect Shrimp Tacos
These scrumptious shrimp tacos come together so quickly that you’ll want them instead of takeout! In just 30 minutes you’ll have dinner ready—a perfect option during busy weeknights. For another quick meal idea check out this Instant Pot salsa verde chicken taco recipe.
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Thaw & Peel Shrimp: If using frozen shrimp run them under cool water until thawed then peel off shells and tails.
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Prepare Toppings: While prepping your ingredients get those toppings ready.
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Season & Cook Shrimp: In a skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat add in seasoned shrimp cook until pink flipping occasionally (about 5–6 minutes).
4. Assemble & Serve: Build your tacos as desired serve immediately.
Tips For Making The Best Shrimp Tacos
Here are some additional tips that will elevate your taco game—you’re going to love making these again and again:
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Add Heat: Want spicier flavors? Incorporate half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper!
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Use Taco Seasoning: Short on time? Pre-made taco seasoning works well too—or try making homemade seasoning from scratch; I’ve got an excellent blend here.
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Tortilla Options: While this recipe uses flour tortillas feel free to swap them out for corn if that’s what you prefer.
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Warm Your Tortillas: To heat multiple flour tortillas at once wrap them in foil place in an oven preheated at 375°F while preparing everything else alternatively microwave individual ones by placing one on plate heating it up 10–15 seconds at time.
Delicious Topping Ideas
The right toppings can transform good tacos into great ones! Feel free experiment based on what’s available in fridge:
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Your favorite salsa (mango salsa has become one of my recent favorites!)
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Tex-Mex cheese blend * Red onions/scallions
- Avocado slices
- Fresh lime juice
- Chopped cilantro
Storing Leftovers
While these delightful shrimp tacos are best enjoyed fresh they can be stored separately if needed:
1) Store leftover cooked shrimps airtight container refrigerate up three days. 2) Keep any remaining flour tortilla Ziploc bag two-three days max.
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Ingredients: ▢1 pound medium-sized peeled thawed shrimps ▢1 tablespoon olive oil ▢½ teaspoon garlic powder ▢½ teaspoon onion powder ▢½ teaspoon smoked paprika ▢½ teaspoon ground cumin ▢½ teaspoon chili powder ▢8–10 medium-size flour tortillas Optional toppings: sour cream salsas iceberg lettuce tomatoes etc…
Instructions: 1) Prep shrimps by running under cool water until thawed peeling removing tails afterward prepare desired topping options next step… 2) Add seasoned shrimps skillet along olive oil cook over medium-high heat until pink about five-six minutes flipping occasionally… 3) Assemble assembled prepared ingredients serve immediately enjoy!
Originally posted April 8th ,2019 Updated January 6th ,2023
Nutritional Information: Calories:219 kcal Carbohydrates :30 g Protein :5 g Fat :8 g Saturated Fat :2 g Polyunsaturated Fat :2g Monounsaturated Fat :4g Sodium :447mg Potassium :97mg Fiber ;2g Sugar ;2g Vitamin A ;200 IU Vitamin C ;0 .1 mg Calcium ;93 mg Iron ;2 mg
Nutrition info calculated automatically should only serve approximation purposes.
About Alyssa Rivers: Alyssa Rivers author ‘The Tried-and-Test Cookbook’ professional food photographer experienced recipe developer passionate about cooking her tried-and-tested recipes featured Good Morning America Today Food Buzzfeed more…