Grilled Shrimp Tacos Recipe (2024)

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!

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!

1. If frozen thaw the shrimp. An easy way to thaw them is to place them in a colander under cool running water.
2. Remove the shell and dark vein running down the back of the shrimp.
3. Blot the raw shrimp dry with a paper towel.
4. Place the shrimp in a large bowl and squeeze the lime over the seafood.
5. Sprinkle with the spice mix.
6. 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!
7. 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

• grill or grill pan for the stovetop
• seafood grill basket
• tongs for flipping the shrimp

FAQ's

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!

More taco recipes

• Love a great taco? Be sure to try this recipe for Puff Pastry Tacos! These are so yummy!!!
• Skip the steak tonight and grill Baja Fish Tacos instead.
• This Ground Beef Taco Dip is perfect party food!
• I use this Taco Seasoning or Fajita Spice Mix whenever I make chicken or beef tacos or fajitas!
• Making ground beef taco meat at home? Learn the secret to making the BEST filling!

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!

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!
• Chicken and Shrimp Fajitas are a quick 30 minute meal!
• 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

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!

Serve a Mexican Martini with this meal and make it a party!

Of course you'll need a big bowl of crispy tortilla chips and plenty of pico de gallo.

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!

Published May 18, 2020 updated May 2, 2021 to improve readability.

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