Crispy Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Slaw

My new favorite crispy shrimp taco recipe! Crunchy shrimp, sweet chili sauce and cilantro lime coleslaw make the perfect bite.

Some days, I just can’t get it together. And, today was one of those days! Days where you feel like you started behind call for dinner that uses a few cheats. These Crispy Shrimp Tacos are exactly that type of recipe! They taste absolutely delicious, but require only a few brain cells to put together.

“AMAZING!!!! Added some tomatoes and white onions to the tacos, otherwise followed the recipe. Served them with fresh corn on the cob. Turned out great!!! The entire family loved them 🙂 I will definitely make these again :)” – Pinterest comment

I first developed this recipe when I purchased some popcorn shrimp for po’boy sandwiches, but then realized I didn’t have the rest of the ingredients for it. I pivoted (any Friends fans here?) and made a taco recipe using what I had on hand. 

I love crunchy shrimp in tacos and I knew I could whip up an easy shrimp taco sauce using a sweet chili based sauce that I sometimes use for wings! I also thought that I needed some extra crunch and veggies in the mix, so I shredded some cabbage and whipped up an easy slaw to top the taco off.

You may shudder a little at the thought of using pre-made popcorn shrimp, but let me convince you otherwise. You are in complete control over what you buy! Check the ingredient lists on the back of the boxes. I bet you can find a product that is totally acceptable to you.

Shrimp Taco Recipe Substitutions

This Asian shrimp taco recipe is super flexible! I want you to use what you have on hand and there are plenty of recipe variations that will work. With that in mind, I have a few ingredient substitutions below: 

• If you don’t have fresh lime juice you can absolutely use lemon juice instead. 
• Instead of flour tortillas, use corn tortillas. 
• In place of the sour cream in the sauce, try using mayo or plain Greek yogurt. 
• Substitute coconut shrimp for the popcorn shrimp. The flavors combine perfectly! 
• For spicy shrimp tacos, consider adding a squeeze of sriracha on top of the tacos or add spices like a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. 
• I think fresh cilantro or diced green onion are both wonderful toppings. 
• Add a hefty pinch of onion powder to the sauce for extra flavor. 
• In the slaw recipe, feel free to substitute diced green onion for the cilantro.

Serving Suggestions

I think these shrimp tacos are wonderful served with black beans or refried beans and cilantro lime rice on the side! 

Consider topping these tacos with extra lime juice, cotija cheese, fresh avocado, a drizzle of hot sauce or my tasty mango salsa recipe.

If you’d like a creamy sauce to top your tacos, consider combining two parts mayo to one part sriracha.

Storing Leftovers

If you think you might have leftovers, I recommend saving some of the baked shrimp and keeping it out of the sweet chili sauce. The ingredients for this recipe store best when kept separate in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheat leftover popcorn shrimp in your air fryer or on a baking sheet in the oven to make it nice and crisp again, then toss them in the leftover sauce right before serving.

 I hope that you enjoy these easy, breezy crispy shrimp tacos! Leave me a comment letting me know if you have any other creative uses for frozen seafood, like this popcorn shrimp! 

 

“Delish! Picky husband loved it! I have been looking for a good recipe similar to shrimp tacos at a restaurant we go to. This was it!! Simple and easy! Thanks!” – Bernice

If you enjoy these crispy shrimp tacos, I think you’ll also love:

• Easy Lobster Tacos
• Sweet Chili Shrimp
• Marinated Beef Kabobs + Awesome Beef Marinade Recipe
• Easy Flank Steak Tacos
• Adobo Pork Street Tacos
• Baked Baja Fish Tacos