Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw
Succulent shrimp sautéed in garlic butter served in soft tortillas with a zesty cilantro lime slaw for a fresh and flavorful bite. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves 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
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 seeded and finely chopped jalapeño
- 1/2 tsp salt (for slaw)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 3 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey, 1 seeded and finely chopped jalapeño, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix well.
- Step 5: Warm 8 corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 6: Assemble tacos by dividing shrimp evenly among tortillas and topping with a generous spoonful of cilantro lime slaw before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp Tacos with 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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp Tacos with 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp Tacos with 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime 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.
