Baja Shrimp Tacos are the weeknight hero you didn't know you needed. These come together in no time, have incredible flavor, and have a sauce that is out of this world. Try them tonight and they'll be on rotation from now on!
Let's get started!
Jump to:
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
why make baja shrimp tacos?
Perfect for a busy weeknight, these Baja shrimp tacos have a tangy slaw and a wonderfully creamy, perfectly zesty sauce that comes together in no time. Easy to throw together at a moments notice and tasty enough to please even the pickiest palette, I hope you'll try these and fall in love!
And, if you want a fantastic salsa that would be so good with these tacos, try my Salsa Verde Recipe!
recipe ingredients
- Shrimp - I like to buy it peeled and deveined to make my life easier.
- Tajin - This stuff is so good. Grab some if you don't have any. It's tangy and ever so slightly spicy and good on a ton of other things!
- Cayenne or red chili flakes - For additional spice. Leave it out if you don't like it.
- Cumin - A quintessential Mexican spice.
- Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper - Basics for seasoning.
- Avocado oil - My preferred neutral cooking oil.
- Green Cabbage - You can also grab a bag of coleslaw mix.
- Purple Cabbage - Love the color pop this gives.
- Green Onions - A milder onion flavor I love.
- Thai sweet chili sauce - To help with the saucey-ness of the sauce and add a ton of flavor.
- Limes - The acid of limes makes brightens up this recipe.
- Avocado - For creaminess.
- Garlic - Measure this with your heart.
- Cilantro - If you don't like it, leave it out.
- Mexican crema or sour cream - Either one works great, but crema is so delicious. It's easy to find. Grab some and try it!
- Jalapeño - For fresh heat. If you don't like spice, you can leave this out.
- Cotija or Feta cheese - For a salty hit. Either cheese will be great!
how to make baja shrimp tacos
For the best Baja Shrimp Tacos, simply:
Total Time: 25 minutes
1. AVOCADO COTIJA CREMA
Baja shrimp tacos need an amazing sauce. This is just such a sauce. It comes together quickly and is good on so many things.
In a food processor, combine all the crema ingredients and blend until smooth. Store in refrigerator until time to serve.
2. LIME VINAIGRETTE SLAW
Baja shrimp tacos also need some tang and some crunch.
Toss all of the slaw ingredients to combine. I recommend doing this a few hours ahead of time so the flavors have time to get nicey-nice. The longer it sits, the better it gets.
3. SHRIMP
Toss shrimp in the seasonings and spices. Sauté shrimp in avocado oil over medium-high heat until just cooked through. This will only take a couple of minutes. You don't want to overcook the shrimp. No one likes a rubbery crustacean.
4. BAJA SHRIMP TACO ASSEMBLY
Pile shrimp high onto your tortilla of choice. Top with slaw and avocado crema. Enjoy!
frequently asked questions
Is this recipe gluten-free?
As long as you use a corn tortilla instead of flour, you will not have to worry about the gluten!
What is tajin?
Tajin is amazing. It's a tangy chili lime seasoning that can be used on almost anything. People use it to sprinkle on fruit, rim the tops of cocktail glasses, and it's a perfect addition to these shrimp tacos. If you don't have any, I highly recommend adding it to your spice pantry arsenal.
Don't have tajin? My taco seasoning recipe would work perfectly here.
substitutions and variations
- Protein - If you don't want to use shrimp, use your favorite seafood or fish. You can also use chicken, steak, or pork. These tacos would be good with whatever you choose!
- Tortillas - Corn or Flour Tortillas will work. Use your favorite!
- Slaw - Play with the veggies in the slaw. You can even grab a bag of coleslaw mix to make this easier.
- Spice - Add as much heat as you prefer. I love it, so I put it everywhere! Jalapeños, serranos, chili flakes, oh my!
storage and reheating instructions
- Store leftovers separately in the fridge for up to 2 days. Because of the avocado and shrimp, this recipe doesn't stay good for long.
- To reheat, slowly warm shrimp and corn tortillas covered with a
- I don't recommend freezing the leftovers.
related recipes
If you guys make this Baja Shrimp Tacos, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
Recipe
Baja Shrimp Tacos with a Simple Tangy Slaw
Ingredients
Avocado Cotija Crema
- 1 avocado
- 2 green onions, rough chopped
- 1-2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup cilantro, rough chopped
- ½ cup crema or sour cream
- ½ jalapeño, rough chopped adjust for your level of heat
- ¼ cup cotija cheese
- Juice of 2 limes
Lime Vinaigrette Slaw
- 1 cup green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 cup purple cabbage, thinly slice
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 3-4 tbsp Thai sweet chili sauce adjust for your level of sweetness
- juice of 2 limes
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Shrimp
- 2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 teaspoon tajin
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne or red chili flakes
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- avocado oil
Instructions
Avocado Cotija Crema
- In a food processor, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Store in refrigerator until time to serve.
Lime Vinaigrette Slaw
- Toss everything to combine.
Shrimp
- Toss shrimp in seasonings and spices.
- Sauté shrimp in little avocado oil over medium-high heat until just cooked through. Just a couple of minutes.
Assembly
- Pile shrimp onto tortilla of choice. Top with slaw and copious amounts of crema. Devour.
Notes
Nutrition
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Baja Shrimp Tacos recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or review. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
Rufus for Real is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. I may earn a commission, with no additional cost to you, if you purchase through those links.
Leave a Reply