Grilled Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
Juicy shrimp marinated in bright citrus and spices, grilled to perfection and served in corn tortillas topped with a crunchy cabbage slaw. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 8 small corn tortillas
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded red cabbage, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, and 1 tsp hot sauce in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque with slight char marks.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds each side. Assemble tacos by dividing shrimp and topping with cabbage slaw. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage 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 Citrus-Marinated Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage 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 orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated 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.
Equipment for this recipe
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