Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema: A Zesty, Flavor-Packed Fiesta
Few dishes deliver the perfect balance of bold flavors, satisfying textures, and vibrant freshness quite like shrimp tacos. These Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema feature juicy, perfectly seasoned shrimp nestled in warm tortillas, topped with a refreshing slaw, creamy avocado, and a tangy lime crema that ties it all together.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing meal for Taco Tuesday, these tacos are incredibly easy to make, bursting with zesty, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors. Plus, they take just 30 minutes from start to finish!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Quick & Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes with simple, fresh ingredients.
✔ Bold & Fresh Flavors: A mix of smoky, spicy shrimp with a tangy, creamy lime sauce.
✔ Healthy & Light: Shrimp is high in protein and low in calories, making these tacos nutritious and satisfying.
✔ Customizable: Adjust the spice level, swap tortillas, or add your favorite toppings.
✔ Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for a casual dinner, meal prep, or a festive gathering!
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
1. Overcooked Shrimp = Tough & Rubbery
- Shrimp cook in just 2-3 minutes per side—as soon as they turn pink, they’re done!
2. Soggy Tortillas
- Warm tortillas properly: Lightly char them over an open flame or heat in a dry pan to keep them flexible and flavorful.
3. Too Much Liquid in the Slaw
- If using cabbage slaw, dress it lightly and serve immediately to prevent it from getting soggy.
Ingredients (Serves 4, makes ~8 tacos)
For the Shrimp Tacos:
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled & deveined)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
For the Slaw:
- 2 cups shredded cabbage (green, purple, or a mix)
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings:
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta)
- ½ cup diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
- Lime wedges for serving
For the Lime Crema:
- ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1 tablespoon mayo (adds extra creaminess)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Slaw
- In a bowl, combine shredded cabbage, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and salt.
- Toss well and let sit while preparing the shrimp—this helps the flavors meld.
2️⃣ Make the Lime Crema
- In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayo, lime juice, zest, honey, garlic powder, and salt.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3️⃣ Cook the Shrimp
- Pat shrimp dry and place them in a bowl. Add olive oil, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
4️⃣ Warm the Tortillas
- Stovetop method: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Warm each tortilla for 30 seconds per side until lightly charred.
- Gas stove method: Place tortillas directly over a low flame for 10-15 seconds per side, using tongs to flip.
5️⃣ Assemble the Tacos
- Place a spoonful of slaw onto each warm tortilla.
- Add a few shrimp to each taco.
- Drizzle with lime crema and add toppings like avocado, cotija cheese, or pico de gallo.
- Serve with lime wedges for an extra citrusy kick!
Customization & Variations
✔ Make It Spicier: Add more cayenne or hot sauce to the shrimp or crema.
✔ Make It Dairy-Free: Use vegan sour cream or cashew crema.
✔ Low-Carb Version: Serve shrimp over lettuce wraps or cauliflower tortillas.
✔ Extra Crunch: Add toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or crispy fried onions.
Timings
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Assembly Time: 5 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per 2 Tacos)
- Calories: ~350 kcal
- Protein: ~25g
- Carbohydrates: ~30g
- Fat: ~15g
- Fiber: ~4g
- Sugar: ~3g
- Sodium: ~500mg
🔹 For a lower-calorie version: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and reduce oil in the slaw.
🔹 For higher protein: Add black beans or chickpeas to the slaw
Final Thoughts
These Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema are zesty, fresh, and bursting with flavor—perfect for any taco lover! Whether you’re making them for a casual dinner or a taco party, they’ll be a hit.
Ready to take your tacos to the next level? Try serving them with a side of Mexican street corn (elote) or cilantro-lime rice!
Shrimp Tacos with Lime Crema
Ingredients
For the Shrimp Tacos:
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled & deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 small corn or flour tortillas
For the Slaw:
- 2 cups shredded cabbage green, purple, or a mix
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings:
- 1 avocado sliced
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese or feta
- ½ cup diced tomatoes or pico de gallo
- Lime wedges for serving
For the Lime Crema:
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt for a lighter option
- 1 tablespoon mayo adds extra creaminess
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Slaw
- In a bowl, combine shredded cabbage, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and salt.
- Toss well and let sit while preparing the shrimp—this helps the flavors meld.
2️⃣ Make the Lime Crema
- In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayo, lime juice, zest, honey, garlic powder, and salt.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3️⃣ Cook the Shrimp
- Pat shrimp dry and place them in a bowl. Add olive oil, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
4️⃣ Warm the Tortillas
- Stovetop method: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Warm each tortilla for 30 seconds per side until lightly charred.
- Gas stove method: Place tortillas directly over a low flame for 10-15 seconds per side, using tongs to flip.
5️⃣ Assemble the Tacos
- Place a spoonful of slaw onto each warm tortilla.
- Add a few shrimp to each taco.
- Drizzle with lime crema and add toppings like avocado, cotija cheese, or pico de gallo.
- Serve with lime wedges for an extra citrusy kick!
