Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Bacon Slaw
139 Comments
Updated May 03, 2023
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These shrimp tacos are a flavor explosion! They strike the perfect balance between spicy shrimp, crisp and tangy slaw, and creamy avocado. With so much flavor, I guarantee you’ll make this shrimp taco recipe again and again!
Are you ready for the best shrimp tacos ever? You know I’m a fan of shrimp recipes, but I’ll be honest, these shrimp tacos might just be my favorite. They satisfy my cravings for spicy Mexican flavors, are approachable enough for an easy weeknight dinner, and will hit the spot as a crowd pleaser. I’d say that’s an unbeatable combo!
Just season your shrimp, give them a quick saute, and whip up a mouthwatering cilantro lime bacon coleslaw. A drizzle of lime crema takes them over the top for a seriously delicious taco. And if you’re thinking about a full fiesta spread, keep reading for delicious Mexican recipes to add to the table (yes, that includes my best ever guacamole of course).
Shrimp Taco Ingredients
There’s really two components to this recipe – the seasoned shrimp, and the slaw. Those two items then get piled into warmed tortillas, along with avocado slices, my favorite lime crema, and an extra squeeze of lime juice!
Spicy Shrimp
- Shrimp: I prefer large or jumbo shrimp for this recipes, but really, any size will work. You can check also out my garlic grilled shrimp skewer recipe for tons of tips on how to shop for shrimp.
- Seasoning: All you need is chipotle powder, cumin powder, salt, and pepper for spicy shrimp with a kick!
- Olive Oil: Just a little bit helps the seasoning stick to the shrimp.
Cilantro Lime Bacon Slaw
- Bacon: Just follow my oven baked bacon recipe for easy, crispy bacon.
- Green Cabbage: Green or red cabbage will work!
- Cilantro Leaves: Cilantro make for the perfect pairing with lime.
- Olive Oil & Lime Juice: Brings this slaw to life with fresh, zesty flavor!
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Shrimp Tacos
All it takes is a little prep work and some quick (really quick) cooking. Here’s what to do:
- Cook the bacon. Lay the bacon on a sheet pan and pop it in the oven at 400F for 18-20 min.
- Make the slaw. While the bacon is cooking, thinly slice the cabbage and add it to a mixing bowl, along with the chopped cilantro. Once the bacon is cooked and cooled, crumble that into the bowl along with the olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper, and stir it all together.
- Prep the shrimp. In a separate mixing bowl, add the shrimp, olive oil and spices, and toss together.
- Cook the shrimp. Heat a sauté pan on medium heat and cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. You can also grill the shrimp for extra char!
- Assembly time. Assemble the tacos by adding a spoonful of slaw to a tortilla, topping with several pieces of shrimp, a few slices of avocado, and if you’d like, a drizzle of lime crema.
What to Serve with Shrimp Tacos
While these tacos are delicious on their own, it doesn’t hurt to add a few additional sides. Round out your Mexican meal with:
- Rice. A side of Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice will add some heft to your meal.
- Chips and dip. No one can ever deny freshly baked tortilla chips dipped in homemade salsa or pico de gallo.
- Margarita. Whip up a classic margarita, strawberry margarita or mango margarita to make your meal extra festive. If you’re alcohol free, enjoy agua fresca.
How to Store and Reheat
Let’s be honest, these shrimp tacos are best fresh and there’s rarely leftovers. But if you do happen to have some, you can store the shrimp in the fridge for up to 3 days. And you can store the slaw separately for 3-5 days in the fridge.
To reheat, simply heat the shrimp up in the microwave for 30 seconds or so and assemble your tacos.
More Easy Shrimp Recipes
When it comes to light, fresh, and healthy meals, I can always count on shrimp to check the boxes. Here’s a few weeknight favorites to try!
- Creamy Chipotle Shrimp
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Shrimp Fajitas
- Citrus Shrimp Ceviche
- Shrimp, Asparagus, and Avocado Salad
Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Lime Bacon Slaw
Description
Video
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 pound large raw shrimp, shells removed and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
Slaw
- 8 ounces bacon
- ¼ medium green cabbage, core removed and thinly sliced
- 2 cups (not packed) cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- salt and pepper, to taste
To Assemble & Garnish
- 8 tortillas
- 1 large avocado
- lime crema
- limes wedges
- extra cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lay the bacon on top. Cook the bacon for 18-20 minutes, or until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to dry, then crumble into pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cabbage, crumbled bacon, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the raw shrimp, chipotle powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and olive oil, until well coated.
- Heat a sauté pan on medium heat and cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Alternatively, you can grill the shrimp.
- Assemble the tacos by adding several pieces of shrimp and topping with a spoonful of slaw, a few slices of avocado, and a drizzle of lime crema.
Lisa’s Tips
- If you’d like an alternative to the lime crema, give my chipotle sauce a try!
- When it comes to spices I’m a big fan of Simply Organic.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Recipe originally posted September 2016, but updated to include new information.
Amazing!! Highly recommend trying out this recipe.
Hi Steph – I’m so glad you love these shrimp tacos!
AMAZING!! Made this for friends and we all loved it! I forgot to buy bacon for the slaw but it was incredible regardless! The lime crema on top was amazing. Thank you Lisa!! – also please use her recipes! Tried and true and not AI!!!!
Thanks so much, Keren! I’m so happy you enjoyed these shrimp tacos. And yes, definitely tried and true by a real human! Haha. ;)
Our new favorite tacos and so easy to make! Even with the slaw and lime crema, it really only took 30 minutes.
Happy you loved these shrimp tacos, Christine!
Just made them for dinner today. Delicious. The lime crema was to die for, I can see myself making a huge amount to use on pretty much everything!
Amazing! Happy to hear you enjoyed these shrimp tacos and the lime crema.
Does the bacon slaw keep in the fridge for a few days?
The slaw will keep for 3 to 5 days in the fridge!
Easy and great flavor! I used red cabbage because that’s what I had on hand. Will definitely make again.
Yay, I’m glad you love these shrimp tacos, Caryn! And red cabbage is perfect as well. :)
My husband and I loved these. I made the lime crema with kite hill dairy free sour cream and we grilled the shrimp. Thank you for sharing
Wonderful! Glad you both enjoyed them!
Another excelente recipe. Easy and delicious 🤤
Glad you enjoyed these shrimp tacos, Aminta!
very nutritious and delicious meal!
Glad you enjoyed these shrimp tacos Roselyn!
This is the best shrimp tacos recipe I have ever tasted!! My family LOVES it, even my 1.5 year old little baby is opening her little mouth sooo big to eat such a delicious combination of flavors….I highly recommend it! Much better than in a restaurant!!!
Aw, I’m so glad even your little one is enjoying the flavors in this taco recipe :)
I made this yesterday, along with your carnitas, guacamole, pico and lime crema! Everyone loved all of it! Definitely all keeper recipes!
Glad all of those recipes were a hit Karen!
So delicious! another family favorite. The slaw added something different, and we loved the cilantro lime flavor. I was surprised that my daughter took the leftover to school the next day for her lunch!
Where’s recipe for lime crema?
You can find it on my website! Just use the search bar :)
I substituted downshiftology chipotle sauce instead of crema to top the tacos, and it was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Made it for a work group and everyone loved it a lot. Can’t wait to make again!
OMG! This was amaaaaazing! I’m in Australia, and am not particularly familiar with Mexican flavours. But I had coriander (pretty much gone to seed) in the vege garden, a random bit of savoy cabbage in the fridge, some frozen prawns and, surprisingly, the rest of the ingredients.
So good!!! Thank you 😊
I enjoyed how easy the recipe was as I’m trying to teach my boyfriend how to cook in the kitchen. He was able to assist with 1/2 of the recipe which I know feels good when learning something new. The flavor of the dish was perfect, not too spicy but not too mild either. We paired it with street corn which worked great. I think it does need a little something more and will try with the chipotle crema recipe mentioned for next time.
Yum! Love shrimp tacos but your bacon slaw totally takes these over the edge. A new staple in our house.
It’s the slaw that really puts these tacos into a different category. I actually used veggie bacon to make it a little healthier and it still turned out great. I also mistakenly threw away the lime before I could zest it. I guess it takes a great recipe with great flavors to be so forgiving!
Tried these with shrimp a couple of weeks ago and the grandchildren gobbled them up like there was no tomorrow! Today we made them with chicken and added your pickled onions. Oh my, I thought we were in heaven. Thanks for these great recipes!
Posting pic on Instagram
This recipe was easy and a big hit with the whole family. Very flavorful. Used Trader Joe frozen red Argentianian shrimp and also Trader Joe Everything but the Elote seasoning blend as we like it a little less spicy. Will definitely make again – delicious! The bacon cabbage mix was yum.
Thrilled to hear this was a dinner hit Lisa!
Is there a good substitute for the lime crema topping? My family is dairy free and also my kids don’t like anything too spicy. Thank you!
You can simply omit the lime crema :)
I used store bought dairy free sour cream and it was so good 😋
Amazing!! So easy to
Make and that lime crema! Who knew how simple and healthy it could be!