Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Spicy chipotle-marinated shrimp tucked into warm tortillas and topped with a crisp lime cabbage slaw. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 18 minutes turns peeled and deveined large shrimp, chipotle chili powder, ground cumin into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 1 tbsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until fully coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded red cabbage, 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and 1 tbsp honey. Toss well to make the slaw.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Fill each tortilla with a handful of the cabbage slaw and 3-4 cooked shrimp. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (10 min prep + 8 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw?

Mexican seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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