Sautéed Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Chipotle Lime Crema
Bright and flavorful shrimp tacos topped with crunchy cabbage slaw and a zesty chipotle lime crema for a fresh street-food experience. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes turns peeled and deveined large shrimp, chili powder, ground cumin into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups, thinly sliced green cabbage
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp, divided lime juice
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp, minced chipotle pepper in adobo
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 3/4 tsp salt until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
- Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1 tbsp lime juice. Toss well to make the slaw.
- Step 4: For the chipotle lime crema, whisk together 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tsp minced chipotle pepper in adobo, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1 tsp honey until smooth.
- Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
- Step 6: Assemble tacos by placing 3-4 shrimp on each tortilla, topping with a generous spoonful of cabbage slaw and drizzling with chipotle lime crema.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Chipotle Lime Crema 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 Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Chipotle Lime Crema?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Chipotle Lime Crema?
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 Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Chipotle Lime Crema 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 Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Chipotle Lime Crema?
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.
