Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Red Onions and Cilantro Lime Slaw

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant regional dish featuring Cajun-seasoned shrimp grilled to perfection, served in corn tortillas with tangy pickled red onions and a fresh cilantro lime slaw. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 35 minutes pairs peeled and deveined Large shrimp, Cajun seasoning, Olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Add 1 medium thinly sliced red onion and let it sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes to pickle.
  2. Step 2: Toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning and 2 tbsp olive oil in a bowl until evenly coated.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred.
  4. Step 4: In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp ground black pepper to make the slaw.
  5. Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill or in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side.
  6. Step 6: Assemble tacos by layering grilled shrimp, a spoonful of cilantro lime slaw, and pickled red onions on each tortilla. Serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Red Onions and Cilantro Lime Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 min prep + 10 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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Red Onions and Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cajun seasoning from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Red Onions and Cilantro Lime 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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Red Onions and Cilantro Lime 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 Grilled Cajun-Spiced Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Red Onions and Cilantro Lime Slaw?

Mexican tacos & burritos 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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