Smart Recipe Kitchen

2026-02-21

These tacos come together fast and deliver big flavor: juicy shrimp, buttery garlic notes, crisp slaw, and bright lime finish. Serves 4 (about 12 tacos).

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lime
• 12 small corn tortillas

Lime Slaw

• 3 cups shredded cabbage mix
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons mayo or Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Pinch of salt

Optional Toppings

• Sliced avocado
• Pickled red onions
• Hot sauce

Instructions

1. In a bowl, toss shrimp with chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
2. In another bowl, combine slaw ingredients and refrigerate.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in one layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side.
4. Add butter and garlic; cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Turn off heat, squeeze in lime juice, and toss.
5. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame for charred edges.
6. Assemble tacos: slaw first, then shrimp, then toppings.

Why it works

Shrimp cook quickly, so the spice blend and garlic butter coat flavor without drying. Lime slaw adds acidity and crunch to balance richness.

Timing

• Prep: 15 minutes
• Cook: 10 minutes
• Total: 25 minutes

For meal prep, keep slaw and shrimp separate. Reheat shrimp gently to avoid overcooking.