Zesty Lime and Chili Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Slaw
Bright and spicy shrimp tacos topped with a crunchy cilantro-lime slaw, bringing fresh flavors to your table. This mexican-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, 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 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 2 cups, shredded green cabbage
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove from heat.
- Step 3: In another bowl, combine 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 3 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp honey, and 1 tsp lime zest; mix well to create the slaw.
- Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds per side until pliable.
- Step 5: Assemble tacos by placing 3-4 shrimp on each tortilla, topping with a generous spoonful of cilantro slaw, and serving immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Zesty Lime and Chili Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro 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 Zesty Lime and Chili Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Zesty Lime and Chili 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 Zesty Lime and Chili 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.
What goes well with Zesty Lime and Chili Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro 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.
