Shrimp Tacos

These healthy shrimp tacos are perfectly seasoned, and topped with a fresh cilantro lime yogurt sauce and crunchy cabbage for a great fresh, and easy dinner.   

I love shrimp, it is one of my favorite foods. I love it battered and fried, or with cocktail sauce, or grilled with a little seasoning and served with pasta, or a salad, or tacos. One of my favorite dishes, are the shrimp tacos from Pedros Tacos in Fallbrook, California, and I’ve been afraid to try making my own version – but these shrimp tacos are a winner.  

The prep for these shrimp tacos is easy, they have a restaurant like taste – but are easy enough for beginner cooks!  Shrimp is a great healthy option, and it also cooks quickly – making these perfect for a weeknight dinner option. For another spicy favorite try this Cajun Shrimp Pasta! 

Ingredients Needed:

This is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this Shrimp Taco Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.

• frozen shrimp – deveined and tails removed. You can use fresh shrimp, but frozen is already peeled and usually cheaper
• Old Bay Seasoning – this adds a nice smoky flavor to the shrimp
• cayenne pepper – this adds a little spicy kick to the shrimp
• salt and pepper – to add a little flavor
• plain Greek yogurt – or other plain yogurt
• fresh cilantro 
• fresh lime juice
• olive oil – to cook the shrimp in
• cabbage – this adds a nice crunch to the tacos. You can serve it under the shrimp, or toss it in the yogurt sauce to make a slaw.
• corn tortillas – you can use yellow or white corn tortillas, or even substitute small flour tortillas

How to make Shrimp Tacos?

1. Make the greek yogurt sauce to let it sit in the fridge and let the flavors meddle. You’ll mix together the Greek yogurt, chopped cilantro, lime juice, some of the cayenne pepper, and a little salt. Stir it all together in a small bowl, cover it with a lid and place it in the fridge until you needed.
2. Heat the tortillas. Add the dry tortillas to a clean skillet over medium heat and cook them until they get a couple brown bubble spots, then flip them over and cook the other side the same way. Keep them warm in a tortilla water, or on a baking sheet in a warm oven with a damp cloth over the top of them.
3. Cook the shrimp. Cut the shrimp into two to three pieces, so that each piece is about 1inch in length. Sprinkle the shrimp in a small bowl with the Old Bay Seasoning, salt, and pepper and toss it all together. 
4. Heat a saucepan with a little olive oil, then add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until the shrimp is white/pink, opaque and hot throughout. Remove from the heat.
5. Assemble the tacos. Spread a little Greek yogurt down the middle of a corn tortilla. Sprinkle with the shredded cabbage. Add enough shrimp to fill the center of the tortilla. Top with any cheese, a little more sauce, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice if desired. 

Shrimp Taco Toppings:

There are many delicious toppings that can be used to complement the flavor of these shrimp tacos. Here are some ideas you can pick from to help get you started:

• shredded cabbage, or shredded lettuce
• diced avocados or guacamole
• sliced jalapenos or pickled jalapenos
• sliced red onion or pickled onions
• thinly slices radishes
• crumbled cotija cheese
• shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
• sour cream or crema
• salsa or pico de gallo
• mango salsa
• hot sauce for a kick
• fresh cilantro
• fresh lime juice

Tips and Tricks:

• To quickly thaw frozen shrimp, place the shrimp in a mesh colander and run cool water over it until thawed. Or you can place it in a bowl of cool water for about 20 minutes. Do not use warm or hot water, as it will start to cook the outside of the shrimp.
• You can skip cutting the shrimp into pieces if you prefer getting big bites of shrimp in your tacos.
• This shrimp and sauce are also delicious over rice, and other veggies in a burrito bowl. 

Leftovers and Reheating:

The shrimp tastes best the day it is made, and since it is cooked up so quickly, I recommend just making the amount you need to eat right away. But if you do end up with leftovers you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Shrimp can dry out and become overcooked when reheated, so one good option is to enjoy the leftovers cold on a salad. But if you do want to reheat it you can heat it over medium low in a skillet until warm. 

These spicy shrimp tacos are such a great weeknight dinner option. They are quick, easy, and flavorful! 

More shrimp recipes:

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These Shrimp Tacos were first posted on July 8, 2012. The photos and blog text were updated for clarity on March 22, 2023.