Seriously delicious this is the Best Grilled Shrimp Tacos Recipe! This quick recipe takes only 15 minutes to make. Spicy bbq shrimp wrapped in a tortilla and topped with cabbage slaw, salsa and cilantro lime sauce - or mango salsa, YUM!
Next time try the Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl is loaded with rice, avocado, mangos and topped with a creamy, spicy sauce - I hope you try it next!
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Why you'll love this recipe
Mexican food doesn't have to mean a heavy meal drenched in sauce and cheese - though I admit, I love a great enchilada with all the fixings!
This easy shrimp tacos recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dish or Taco Tuesday! It's a great meal that's light and delicious and takes only 15 minutes to make!
Ingredients
For the exact measurements for the grilled shrimp recipe, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- jumbo shrimp - the larger the better.
- chili powder, sugar, cumin, salt, garlic and onion powder - spices you have in your cabinet are the perfect combination.
- lime and lime zest - helps the spices adhere to the seafood.
- butter - for basting while they are cooking, you can substitute olive oil.
- corn tortillas or flour tortillas, we prefer the small street taco size.
- grilled shrimp taco toppings - green or red cabbage, fresh cilantro, thinly sliced red onion or green onions, chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro lime sauce, salsa - use your favorites!
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for bbq shrimp tacos. For the complete directions for the just scroll down to the bottom!
- If frozen thaw the shrimp. An easy way to thaw them is to place them in a colander under cool running water.
- Remove the shell and dark vein running down the back of the shrimp.
- Blot the raw shrimp dry with a paper towel.
- Place the shrimp in a large bowl and squeeze the lime over the seafood.
- Sprinkle with the spice mix.
- BBQ the shrimp on a preheated grill over medium-high heat. The amount of time it takes will depend on the size of the seafood purchased. But regardless, it only takes minutes per side!
- Pile the spicy shrimp on toasted warm tortillas and add your favorite toppings, finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice! You're going to love this flavorful taco!!
🔪 Equipment
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- grill or grill pan for the stovetop
- seafood grill basket
- tongs for flipping the shrimp
FAQ's
Living in land-locked Fresno - fresh shrimp isn't an option. Frozen shrimp is our option and I think it works just great. I will buy a bag every 6 weeks or so and then remove and thaw as we need them.
Any size will work for this recipe, however large or even medium shrimp will be easier to because they won't fall through grill. If smaller shrimp is your best option, consider purchasing a basket to cook them in. I'll link one below. They are great for seafood, fish and vegetables.
Be sure to preheat your grill well. Allow it to get super hot. Spray with non-stick cooking spray right before grilling.
It will only take 2-3 minutes per side to cook completely. You'll know they are done when the skin turns red and flesh will be pearly opaque.
No problem! You can certainly cook this meal indoors. Utilize a stovetop grill or a skillet to cook these flavorful shrimp! The important thing is to give this recipe a try!
Tips
You can use either corn or flour tortillas, that's really personal preference. I like using small street taco size. That way you can enjoy a couple of tacos and not feel guilty! 😋
Too make the shrimp easier to flip and not loose through the grates on the grill, thread shrimp on wooden skewers or a metal skewers for grilling.
Want restaurant quality tacos? Grill the tortillas! Whether it's on bbq or in a fry pan on the stove top. Giving the tortillas a quick char will take your tacos to the next level!
Serving Suggestions
This is such a flavorful taco! Serve with Mexican street corn, chips, rice and black beans. I really think you don't need more than that!
All salsa is delicious on these tacos, try Pico de Gallo, pineapple salsa or salsa verde and some homemade guacamole! All are great with this recipe!
Top the smokey shrimp with a mix of cabbage and spicy lime crema - delicious!
Potato Salad or Macaroni Salad would both be a great side dish!
Variations
Really you can use your favorite toppings. We usually keep it quite simple with thinly sliced cabbage, red onions, cilantro lime sauce and salsa. I think it really makes the grilled shrimp the star of the tacos!!
You want your tacos all dolled up? Then here are more toppings to enjoy!
- Mexican coleslaw - the cabbage mixture is filled with bright freshness and loads of flavor, a mayo-free slaw is perfect to top off tacos!
- A side of Chipotle Black Beans and Cilantro Lime Rice are great side dishes!
- Add some sliced jalapeños and make this the best spicy shrimp tacos recipe! Pico de Gallo, sour cream, guacamole and shredded lettuce and cabbage, can it get any better?
- Avocado Salsa - filled with tomatoes, jalapeños and onions with fresh lime juice - this is mighty tasty!
👩🏫 What I've learned
It's no secret, I really love tacos! Whether they are beef, pork, chicken or fish but I have to say - these are the BEST shrimp tacos are just the BEST!
Whether they are grilled outside or pan-fried tacos are a meal everyone loves! Most are super simple to make as well.
Related Recipes
Looking for more easy recipes? I have several delicious recipes on the blog. Here are some family favorites I think you'll really enjoy!
- Tacos al Pastor - these super savory pork tacos are slow cooked in the crockpot - so tasty!
- Love beef tacos? Be sure to try this recipes Barbacoa Beef Tacos - so good!
- Love grilled shrimp skewers, be sure to try this recipe next!
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos - easy to make and delicious, these flavorful tacos will be a family favorite!
- If you love a great fish taco (and I do!) be sure to try this recipe for Baja Fish Tacos - delicious!
- Take it to the next level with a Taco Salad Casserole! Just like your favorite taco but in a casserole dish!
Serve with
These spicy chile-lime shrimp tacos are terrific served with Mexican Rice and Copycat Chipotle Black Beans - it will taste just like your favorite taqueria!
Of course you'll need a big bowl of crispy tortilla chips and plenty of pico de gallo.
Serve a Mexican Martini with this meal and make it a party!
Chilis Shrimp Taco Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 large shrimp thawed if frozen, shelled and deveined
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 lime juiced
- 4 corn or flour tortillas
- taco toppings - finely chopped cilantro, shredded cabbage, diced avocado, salsa
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Instructions
- Preheat the grill to 400 degrees.
- Mix the spices together in a small bowl.
- Clean and shell and devein the shrimp, rinse thoroughly, pat dry.
- Mix together the spices. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the shrimp then season shrimp with the spice mix.
- Preheat the grill.
- Place shrimp on hot grill grates. Brush side two with some melted butter and sprinkle with seasoning.
- Depending on the size of your shrimp it will take 2-3 minutes per side. Shrimp cooks quickly! Flip after you see light charring on side one and grill for another 2-3 minutes until browned on side two, basting with butter.
- Quickly grill the tortillas, like the shrimp it will only take a minute or two per side.
- Remove from grill and prepare your tacos with your favorite fixin's! Serve additional warm corn or flour tortillas on the side.
- Top with your favorite fixings - coleslaw, avocado slices, mexican crema and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.Published May 18, 2020 updated May 2, 2021 to improve readability.
Lois
Tacos are always a favorite with me and these look just wonderful. I will be making them soon.
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful, I hope you really enjoy this recipe Lois!
Paige
I LOVE shrimp tacos and these were easy and super delish!
Bowl Me Over
Shrimp and fish tacos are my favorite, glad you enjoyed them too!