Pan-Seared Chile-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Slaw

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

Quick-cooked shrimp marinated in zesty chile-lime sauce, nestled in warm tortillas and topped with a crunchy cilantro-lime slaw for a fresh street food experience. This Mexican-inspired seafood recipe (gluten free option), ready in about 23 minutes, pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, fresh lime juice 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 rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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: 15 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss to coat evenly and let marinate for 10 minutes.
  2. Step 2: While shrimp marinates, prepare the slaw by mixing 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp sour cream, 1 tsp fresh lime zest, 1 tsp honey, and 1 small finely chopped jalapeño in a bowl. Stir well and refrigerate until serving.
  3. Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque with slight char edges.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing 3-4 cooked shrimp in each tortilla and topping with a generous spoonful of cilantro-lime slaw. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chile-Lime 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 Pan-Seared Chile-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Slaw?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chile-Lime 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 Pan-Seared Chile-Lime 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.

Is Pan-Seared Chile-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Slaw gluten free option?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes