Chile Shrimp Tacos with Slaw
Here are my new favorite shrimp tacos! There’s tender shrimp cooked with the perfect blend of spices and butter, mashed avocado, and a quick and crunchy slaw! I could happily eat these tacos once a week (maybe more!). We’re especially generous with the spices for the shrimp. You’ll find chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, plus my secret ingredient: unsweetened cocoa powder. Trust me on this one! I only add a little bit, but it’s so worth it for the flavor. If you want to try a different flavor profile for your next shrimp taco night, consider swapping the chile butter shrimp shown here for our cilantro lime butter shrimp (they are just as tasty). And, I wouldn’t be doing you justice if I didn’t remind you how simple and delicious homemade corn tortillas are to make. They will take these tacos to an entirely new level! Key Ingredients Shrimp: Use fresh, high-quality jumbo or large shrimp. I like to remove the tails from my shrimp for these tacos, which makes them easier to eat. I also leave the shrimp whole, though you can certainly chop them if you like. Shrimp Spice Rub: This is where the magic happens! Our shrimp are generously coated in a robust spice rub featuring ancho chile powder (mild and sweet), chipotle powder (for smoky heat), cumin, and coriander. My secret ingredient is a touch of unsweetened cocoa powder. The cocoa powder may seem a little strange, but it works really well with the chile powders (somewhat similar to a mole sauce, which often includes a dark or unsweetened chocolate). If you can’t find chipotle powder, smoked paprika makes an excellent substitute and has a similar smoky flavor. For spicy shrimp tacos, increase the chipotle powder (it packs a punch). Butter: I love to cook our shrimp in butter. It melts down and mixes with the spices to make a little bit of a butter sauce. It’s incredible! If you are opposed to butter, olive oil or avocado oil work perfectly fine. Red Cabbage Slaw: We keep this slaw dairy-free and super simple. To make it, you’ll toss shredded cabbage and onions with fresh lime juice, salt, and cilantro. This crunchy, tangy slaw is the perfect counterpoint to the spiced shrimp and creamy avocado. Avocado: I love adding a layer of mashed avocado with lime and salt to the tortillas before adding my shrimp and slaw. It acts as our taco sauce, and works so nicely with the other flavors. Tortillas: Use corn or flour tortillas. I love corn tortillas for their flavor, but it really is up to you. And if you’re feeling ambitious, I highly recommend trying your hand at making them from scratch! Homemade tortillas truly take these tacos to the next level. You can find recipes for homemade corn tortillas and homemade flour tortillas on the blog! Shrimp: Use fresh, high-quality jumbo or large shrimp. I like to remove the tails from my shrimp for these tacos, which makes them easier to eat. I also leave the shrimp whole, though you can certainly chop them if you like. Shrimp Spice Rub: This is where the magic happens! Our shrimp are generously coated in a robust spice rub featuring ancho chile powder (mild and sweet), chipotle powder (for smoky heat), cumin, and coriander. My secret ingredient is a touch of unsweetened cocoa powder. The cocoa powder may seem a little strange, but it works really well with the chile powders (somewhat similar to a mole sauce, which often includes a dark or unsweetened chocolate). If you can’t find chipotle powder, smoked paprika makes an excellent substitute and has a similar smoky flavor. For spicy shrimp tacos, increase the chipotle powder (it packs a punch). Butter: I love to cook our shrimp in butter. It melts down and mixes with the spices to make a little bit of a butter sauce. It’s incredible! If you are opposed to butter, olive oil or avocado oil work perfectly fine. Red Cabbage Slaw: We keep this slaw dairy-free and super simple. To make it, you’ll toss shredded cabbage and onions with fresh lime juice, salt, and cilantro. This crunchy, tangy slaw is the perfect counterpoint to the spiced shrimp and creamy avocado. Avocado: I love adding a layer of mashed avocado with lime and salt to the tortillas before adding my shrimp and slaw. It acts as our taco sauce, and works so nicely with the other flavors. Tortillas: Use corn or flour tortillas. I love corn tortillas for their flavor, but it really is up to you. And if you’re feeling ambitious, I highly recommend trying your hand at making them from scratch! Homemade tortillas truly take these tacos to the next level. You can find recipes for homemade corn tortillas and homemade flour tortillas on the blog! When making these shrimp tacos, I toss the shrimp with the spices first, then set the bowl aside while I prepare the slaw and mash the avocado. This brief resting time allows the shrimp to really soak in all that incredible flavor from the spice mix. The slaw takes minutes to make, so I make that next. The salt and lime help to wilt the cabbage and onion a little, so making it before you cook the shrimp is a great idea. Then, for assembly, I love the creamy layer of avocado, the chili butter shrimp, and a generous helping of the slaw. I can’t wait for you to try these tacos. They are easily one of my favorite shrimp recipes on the blog! Chile Shrimp Tacos with Slaw PREP 30 mins COOK 15 mins TOTAL 45 mins PREP 30 mins COOK 15 mins TOTAL 45 mins Meet your new favorite shrimp tacos! This is just as easy to make as it is to eat! You can make the red cabbage slaw in advance, in fact, I prefer it a day old. The shrimp are tossed in a blend of chile powders and spices. Ancho chile is sweet and mild, while chipotle powder is smoky and hot. We use ancho chile powder a lot at home and highly suggest investing in it. The chipotle powder is also delicious and versatile, but you can substitute it for a smoked paprika in a pinch. Makes approximately 4 servings You Will Need 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 teaspoons ancho chile powder 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder or smoked paprika 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander 1 ½ tablespoons butter 2 cups shredded red cabbage 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, about half a bunch 2 limes 1 ripe avocado Salt and fresh ground black pepper 8 medium corn tortillas or flour tortillas Directions 1Season the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry and place them in a medium bowl. Add the ancho chile powder, chipotle chile powder (or smoked paprika), unsweetened cocoa powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Toss well to coat. Set aside for 10 to 15 minutes. 2Make the slaw: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, thinly sliced onion, and half of the fresh cilantro. Squeeze the juice from half a lime over the mixture, then season generously with salt and pepper. Toss everything together and set aside. 3Warm the tortillas: Wrap the tortillas in two stacks of 6 in aluminum foil. Place into a 350°F (177°C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through. 4Make the avocado mash: Halve the avocado and remove the pit. Scoop the flesh into a medium bowl and use a fork to mash it until smooth. Add the juice from half of a lime and the remaining cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing well. 5Cook the chile butter shrimp: Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until opaque throughout, about 2 minutes on each side. Finish by squeezing the juice from the remaining half lime over the cooked shrimp. 6Build the tacos: To assemble, spread some of the mashed avocado onto each warmed tortilla. Top with 3 to 4 shrimp and a generous spoonful of the red cabbage slaw (you might have some slaw leftover). Serve immediately with any remaining slaw and lime wedges on the side for squeezing. 1Season the shrimp: Pat the shrimp dry and place them in a medium bowl. Add the ancho chile powder, chipotle chile powder (or smoked paprika), unsweetened cocoa powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, and 1/4 teaspoon of fine sea salt. Toss well to coat. Set aside for 10 to 15 minutes. 2Make the slaw: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, thinly sliced onion, and half of the fresh cilantro. Squeeze the juice from half a lime over the mixture, then season generously with salt and pepper. Toss everything together and set aside. 3Warm the tortillas: Wrap the tortillas in two stacks of 6 in aluminum foil. Place into a 350°F (177°C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through. 4Make the avocado mash: Halve the avocado and remove the pit. Scoop the flesh into a medium bowl and use a fork to mash it until smooth. Add the juice from half of a lime and the remaining cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing well. 5Cook the chile butter shrimp: Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until opaque throughout, about 2 minutes on each side. Finish by squeezing the juice from the remaining half lime over the cooked shrimp. 6Build the tacos: To assemble, spread some of the mashed avocado onto each warmed tortilla. Top with 3 to 4 shrimp and a generous spoonful of the red cabbage slaw (you might have some slaw leftover). Serve immediately with any remaining slaw and lime wedges on the side for squeezing. Adam and Joanne's Tips The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size 2 tacos / Calories 311 / Protein 20 g / Carbohydrate 34 g / Dietary Fiber 8 g / Total Sugars 4 g / Total Fat 12 g / Saturated Fat 4 g / Cholesterol 153 mg AUTHOR: Joanne Gallagher We’re Adam and Joanne, a couple passionate about cooking and sharing delicious, reliable recipes since 2009. Our goal? To inspire you to get in the kitchen and confidently cook fresh and flavorful meals.More About Us