Spiced Rum-Glazed Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Onion Slaw

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

Sweet and smoky spiced rum-glazed shrimp served in warm tortillas topped with tangy pickled onion slaw. This Mexican-inspired taco and burrito recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs large shrimp, spiced rum, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 270 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: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 270 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Add 1 small thinly sliced red onion and let it sit for 20 minutes to pickle, then drain.
  2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 1/4 cup spiced rum, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Marinate for 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and caramelized with the rum glaze.
  4. Step 4: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, the drained pickled onions, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and juice of 1 lime. Toss gently to combine.
  5. Step 5: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side. Assemble tacos by placing shrimp and a generous scoop of pickled onion slaw on each tortilla.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Rum-Glazed Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Onion Slaw take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 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 Spiced Rum-Glazed Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Onion 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 large shrimp from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Rum-Glazed Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Onion 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 Spiced Rum-Glazed Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Onion 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 Spiced Rum-Glazed Shrimp Tacos with Pickled Onion 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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