These quick and easy grilled shrimp tacos with cabbage slaw are ready in 15 minutes! Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!
A lot of people get into Taco Tuesday but why should we limit tacos to just one day a week? Quick-cooking, versatile, affordable, and kid-friendly; I love turning whatever meat, seafood, or veggies we have on hand into a quick and easy taco dinner. Beef Birria Tacos and Baked Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa are frequent dinners on our table.
My oldest is a huge seafood lover so I almost always have a bag of frozen shrimp stocked in the freezer for last-minute dinners like these Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw. It’s pretty common knowledge that here in Michigan, as long as there’s no snow on my grill, I’m probably outside making dinner on it.
Ingredients
- Shrimp: Plump and juicy bite-sized shellfish, shrimp is a great source of protein and an accessible seafood.
- Garlic: Pungent and aromatic, it sweetens up as it cooks and balances out some of the spicy flavors on the shrimp.
- Olive oil: Used to both marinate the shrimp and dress the slaw, olive oil is heart healthy and mild flavored.
- Lime juice: Along with the olive oil, this bright, acidic flavor is used in the marinade and the dressing of the slaw.
- Warm spices: The shrimp are seasoned with a delicious blend of cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and oregano. If you like it spicy, you could also add chili powder.
- Tortillas: I like to use corn tortillas for my tacos, but you could use flour tortillas as well.
- Cabbage: I love the bright color that purple cabbage gives to the slaw, but green cabbage or even iceberg lettuce would work.
- Carrots: Shredded carrots add more crunch and sweetness to the slaw.
- Green onions: Also called scallions, they add a mild onion flavor to the slaw and tacos.
- Cilantro: Unless you have that gene that makes it taste like soap, cilantro adds a fresh, lemony flavor.
Favorite Taco Toppings
If you want to lay out a big spread with lots of options for your family, then here are some of my favorite potential toppings:
- Avocado or guacamole
- Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- Fresh cilantro
- Pico de gallo
- Cotija cheese
How to Make Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
Step 1. Start by making your marinade. First you’ll juice your lime and add it to a bowl with olive oil.
Step 2. Then grate in your garlic (or use garlic paste), and add the paprika, cumin, oregano, and cayenne.
Step 3. Add some salt and pepper to taste, then whisk together until combined.
Step 4. Toss the shrimp in the marinade until evenly coated, let sit while the grill preheats.
Step 5. Using a grill basket or pan, grill your shrimp on high heat for about 2-3 minutes per side.
Step 6. While the shrimp is marinating and grilling, make your cabbage slaw by shredding your cabbage, grating the carrots, and mincing the green onion.
Step 7. In a large bowl, add all of the veggies together. Dress with fresh lime juice and olive oil.
Step 8. Season with salt and pepper and toss until evenly coated, and top it off with fresh cilantro.
Once shrimp is finished, make your tacos with the shrimp and layer with the slaw. Garnish with fresh peppers or fresh lime wedges, and serve immediately. Enjoy your Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can grill shrimp in or out of the shell. I prefer to de-shell and devein my shrimp first as it lets the marinade penetrate the meat better than with the shell on.
I like to make my Cuban Black Beans and Rice or my Spicy Corn Skillet with Garlic and Chilis. But any side of rice, corn, or beans is usually great with tacos!
No, shrimp are essentially carb-free!
More Simple Seafood
- Grilled Shrimp Shawarma Skewers
- Easy Pan Seared Salmon
- Parmesan Crusted Baked Whitefish
- Baked Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
- Creamy Tuna Noodle Casserole
Eat It, Like It, Share It!
Did you try this shrimp dish? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials. Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your meal.
Quick, delicious, and fairly mess-free, my Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw is the perfect summertime, weeknight dinner.
No forks required.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat a grill on high heat.
- In a small bowl, toss together shrimp with next six ingredients (garlic stir-in paste through cayenne.) Grill shrimp on high heat for 2-3 minutes per side or until bright pink.12 ounces raw shrimp, 1 tablespoon Gourmet Garden Garlic Stir-In Paste, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt
- While shrimp are grilling, toss together cabbage slaw in a medium bowl. Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.1 cup red cabbage, 1/2 cup carrots, 1/2 cup green onions, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon Gourmet Garden Cilantro – Lightly Dried, salt and pepper to taste
- Serve shrimp in warmed tortillas and top with slaw to serve.8 corn tortillas
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