These easy shrimp tacos are the perfect simple dinner for busy weeknights! Plump, juicy shrimp are cooked in a flavorful spice blend then wrapped in warm flour tortillas and piled high with your favorite toppings.
Easy Shrimp Tacos Recipe
This is the BEST taco recipe for all of the seafood lovers in your family. Plump shrimp is cooked with onion, garlic, and warm spices. The flavor just gets seared right in!
From there, you just have to add it to a warm flour or corn tortilla , add your favorite toppings, and voila! A dinner worthy of a chef’s kiss. Sorry for the newfound shrimp taco addiction you’re about to have.
Ingredients in Shrimp Tacos
As long as you’ve got the shrimp on hand, chances are you will have all the seasonings and spices needed to cook up these tasty tacos. As simple as these ingredients may be, the flavor is anything but! You may want to make extras, seconds and thirds are a common occurrence with my family. Check out the recipe card below for exact measurements!
- Shrimp : I used peeled, medium-sized shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, make sure it’s thawed before cooking.
- Olive Oil: This is for cooking the shrimp in. Feel free to use your favorite cooking oil here!
- Seasonings and Spices: I toss the shrimp in a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and chili powder. This is one of my favorite blends because the flavor is warm and savory with the best hint of spice!
- Flour Tortillas: I like using medium-sized tortillas because they’re big enough to hold all of the shrimp and toppings while also being easy to hold. You can use premade tortillas or also make your own using my easy recipe here !
- Toppings : (Optional) Use your favorite! I usually go for a mix of sliced avocado, sour cream, salsa , and shredded cabbage, as well as pico de gallo , red onions, and fresh cilantro. For a little extra flavor, drizzle this homemade cilantro ranch sauce on top!
What size shrimp should I use for tacos?
I typically use 31- 40 count per pound of frozen raw shrimp. You can use smaller or larger shrimp if you want. Make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed.
How to Make the Best Shrimp Tacos
Because these shrimp tacos are so easy to make, you’ll want to skip the takeout! They only take 30 minutes to whip up! This easy shrimp tacos recipe is the best for busy weeknights. This Instant Pot salsa verde chicken tacos recipe is another great meal to make in a pinch.
- Thaw and Peel Shrimp: Prep your shrimp. If frozen, run them under cool water until thawed. Then peel them and remove the tails.
- Prepare Toppings: Meanwhile, prep your toppings.
- Toss in Seasonings, Cook Shrimp: Add the shrimp to a skillet along with the olive oil and spices. Then cook over medium-high heat until the shrimp are pink, flipping/stirring them occasionally (about 5-6 minutes).
- Assemble and Serve: Assemble tacos as desired and serve immediately.
Tips for Making the Best Shrimp Tacos
These are just a few extra ways to customize and perfect your shrimp tacos. You’re going to love them! This is one of my go-to dinner recipes. It will make even the pickiest eaters into seafood lovers.
- Add Spice: Want to make spicy shrimp tacos? Add a 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper!
- Use Taco Seasoning : If you’re in a rush, feel free to use pre-made taco seasoning instead of the spices in the recipe card. Homemade taco seasoning is even better! I have a great recipe to make your own blend here .
- Swap Out Tortillas: I used flour tortillas in this recipe, but you can also use corn tortillas if you prefer.
- Warm Your Tortillas: To heat flour tortillas all at once, I like to wrap them in foil and place them in a 375F oven while I’m getting everything ready. It’s also easy to warm tortillas individually in the microwave (just put one on a plate) by heating it for 10-15 seconds.
Delicious Topping Ideas
Toppings are what make a good taco great! You really can’t go wrong. This is a great place to use leftovers in your fridge! Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Your favorite salsa ( mango salsa is one of my new favorites!)
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Tex-Mex or Mexican cheese blend
- Red onions or scallions
- Avocado
- Fresh lime juice
- Chopped cilantro
Dressings, Sauces, and Dips
Cafe Rio {Copycat} Cilantro Ranch Dressing
5 minutes
Appetizers
Pico de Gallo
10 minutes
Appetizers
5 Minute Mango Salsa
5 minutes
Storing Leftovers
These amazing shrimp tacos are best eaten fresh, but can be stored in the fridge and enjoyed later as well. You’ll want to store shrimp, toppings, and tortillas separately.
- Leftover Shrimp: Store leftover shrimp in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.
- Storing Flour Tortillas: You can keep any leftover tortillas in a Ziploc bag for 2-3 days.
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Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 pound deveined and peeled medium shrimp
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ▢ ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper adjust to taste
- ▢ 8-10 medium flour tortillas
Instructions
- Before starting, prepare your toppings and make sure the shrimp is fully thawed (if frozen), peeled, and deveined.
- Combine ½ teaspoon garlic powder , ½ teaspoon onion powder , ½ teaspoon smoked paprika , ½ teaspoon ground cumin , ½ teaspoon chili powder , ½ teaspoon salt , and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper in a small bowl.
- Add 1 pound deveined and peeled medium shrimp , 1 tablespoon olive oil , and the spices to a 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
- Stir the shrimp around for a minute or so until they are evenly coated in the spices before cooking until they are pink and opaque, flipping/stirring them occasionally, about 5-6 minutes total.
- Serve immediately with 8-10 medium flour tortillas and your desired taco toppings.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Easy Shrimp Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 pound deveined and peeled medium shrimp
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper adjust to taste
- 8-10 medium flour tortillas
Instructions
- Before starting, prepare your toppings and make sure the shrimp is fully thawed (if frozen), peeled, and deveined.
- Combine ½ teaspoon garlic powder , ½ teaspoon onion powder , ½ teaspoon smoked paprika , ½ teaspoon ground cumin , ½ teaspoon chili powder , ½ teaspoon salt , and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper in a small bowl.
- Add 1 pound deveined and peeled medium shrimp , 1 tablespoon olive oil , and the spices to a 14-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
- Stir the shrimp around for a minute or so until they are evenly coated in the spices before cooking until they are pink and opaque, flipping/stirring them occasionally, about 5-6 minutes total.
- Serve immediately with 8-10 medium flour tortillas and your desired taco toppings.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Easy Shrimp Tacos https://therecipecritic.com/easy-shrimp-tacos/
