Name: Grilled Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Slaw
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 cups shredded green or purple cabbage; 1/2 cup thinly-sliced green onion; 2 tablespoons minced chipotle in adobo sauce; 2 tablespoons mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar; 1 teaspoon lime juice; 2 tablespoons buttermilk; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 cup freshly-squeezed lime juice; 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro; 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar; 2 medium cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1-1/2 lbs medium shrimp (peeled and deveined); 10 (6-inch) corn or flour tortillas, warmed; Lime wedges, additional cilantro, and cotija cheese for serving

Juicy cilantro lime grilled shrimp and a spicy chipotle slaw are the perfect pairing in these flavor-packed cilantro lime shrimp tacos!

Today seems as good a day as ever to drop the most colorful dinner there ever was into your feed! I’m in full Cinco de Mayo mode this week and these tacos are very on theme.

Full disclaimer: I’m typically not the hugest shrimp lover but these tacos were good enough to change that mindset and it’s safe to say I’d happily dig into a plate of these any day.

Let’s just call it what it is and say every day.

There’s several components to these shrimp tacos and they all compliment each other SO incredibly well! From the quick marinated shrimp to the smoky chipotle slaw, and lots of salty cotija on top, it ticks every single taco box.

All in only 30 minutes, yes, I’m so serious.

These Shrimp Tacos feature…

Tender cilantro lime-marinated grilled shrimp
A creamy, spicy chipotle slaw
Fresh lime and cotija cheese on top

Making the Shrimp Tacos

(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)

Ingredients You Will Need

Cabbage
Green onion
Chipotle in adobo sauce
Mayonnaise
Honey
Lime juice
Buttermilk
Cilantro
Garlic
Olive oil
Shrimp
Tortillas
Cotija cheese

Choosing Your Shrimp

You will need 1-1/2 lbs of medium shrimp for these taco bowls. I recommend buying them fresh if possible and make sure they are peeled and deveined prior to marinating.

Tips for Perfect Shrimp Tacos

Prep slaw first – the slaw will take the most time to prep so I recommend making this first so you have it all ready to go when it comes time for taco assembly.
Use fresh lime and cilantro in marinade – using these ingredients fresh adds an unmatchable flavor to the shrimp.
Reserve 1/4 cup marinade – this will get tossed in the shrimp after grilling for an extra boost of flavor.
Marinate shrimp no longer than 15 minutes – if you let the shrimp sit in the marinade too long the acidity from the lime will start to cook the shrimp which we don’t want.
Preheat grill – you want the grill ripping hot for when you go to add the shrimp.
Grill shrimp on a sheet of tin foil – this will keep the shrimp from falling through the grates. You can also use a grill pan.
Do not overcook shrimp – a quick char on both sides is all the shrimp needs to fully cook.
Heat corn tortillas – throw the corn tortillas straight on the grill after cooking the shrimp to warm them (30-ish seconds per side until lightly browned)
Serve tacos immediately – once the shrimp is done, assemble the tacos immediately while the slaw is crisp and the shrimp/tortillas are warm.

Recipe Variations

Try these ideas for a different twist on these tacos.

Adjust heat level – you can skip the chipotle in the slaw if you’re sensitive to spice. If you want some extra heat, add red pepper flakes, cayenne, or hot sauce to taste.
Use another seafood – try using salmon, cod, or halibut in place of the shrimp. Be aware that cook time will vary depending on the fish you use.
Make it in taco bowl form – pile the shrimp and slaw over rice bowls and serve with tortilla chips.

Make Ahead Instructions

Follow these instructions for time-saving make ahead tips.

Prep the slaw – chop the cabbage and green onion, mix up the dressing and store separately in refrigerator up to 4 days. Combine the slaw, chipotle, and the dressing when ready to assembly tacos.
Make the marinade – mix up the marinade and store in refrigerator up to 6 days.
Assembly – when ready to assemble tacos, toss the slaw, marinate/grill the shrimp, heat the tortillas, and build tacos.

The cilantro lime flavors shine through in every bite of these juicy shrimp tacos and the smoky chipotle slaw on top is the perfect creamy finishing touch that brings all the flavors in for a home run.

Suffice to say, your taco game is about to be on fire.

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More summery tacos to put together next!

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