Houston-Style Spicy Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Slaw
A lively taco recipe combining spicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp with a fresh cilantro-lime slaw, inspired by Houston’s vibrant food scene. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 23 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, Cajun seasoning 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, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups, shredded green cabbage
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 small, finely diced (optional) jalapeño
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb peeled shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, ensuring each shrimp is evenly coated; set aside for 5 minutes to marinate.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and optional 1 finely diced small jalapeño; toss until slaw is evenly dressed and fragrant.
- Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable; fill each with a few cooked shrimp and a generous spoonful of cilantro slaw before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Houston-Style Spicy Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 23 minutes (15 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 Houston-Style Spicy Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Houston-Style Spicy Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro 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 Houston-Style Spicy Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro 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 Houston-Style Spicy Cajun Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro 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.
