Sautéed Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

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

Zesty shrimp tacos with a crisp, tangy cilantro lime slaw, perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 25 minutes pairs shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, garlic cloves 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp with 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mince 4 cloves garlic.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are pink and opaque.
  3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 3 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, and 1 tsp honey. Toss well to create a tangy slaw.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds each side. Assemble the tacos by placing shrimp on each tortilla and topping with a generous scoop of cilantro lime slaw. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 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 shrimp, peeled and deveined from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic 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 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 Shrimp Tacos with 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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