Blackened Shrimp Tacos

These blackened shrimp tacos make a great light lunch or dinner during spring and summer! With juicy blackened shrimp and tangy red cabbage slaw, they get to the table in no time.

By
Sharee Hill
Sharee Hill
Sharee Hill
Sharee has been a professional recipe developer since 2014. She shows home cooks how to cook international recipes, comfort foods and Southern cuisines through her food blog and recipe development for major food companies. 
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Published August 05, 2022
Sharee Hill
Blackened Shrimp Tacos and Lime Wedges on a Plate Surrounded a Bowl of Rice and a Bowl of Queso Fresco

Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill

Take a combination of cultures and flavors to create delicious fusion in one taco recipe! The blackened shrimp give us a Creole vibe, while the slaw reminds me of the popular Southern coleslaws you get on a good BBQ or fish plate at your favorite soul food restaurant. Then, give it an ode to Hispanic cultures and turn it into a delicious taco. 

When you bite into this taco, you’ll get a little bit of a spice from the shrimp seasoning and a combination of sweetness and tanginess from the slaw! 

Blackened Seasoning: A Mix of Dried Herbs and Spices

Blackened seasoning is a mix of dried herbs and spices for a rub that gives meats a nice, charred look when you brown them. Plus, the flavor is delicious with a bit of spicy kick and earthy flavors from the thyme and oregano. 

Tip Box

Watch out for the sodium in store-bought spices. Look for the low-sodium variety so that your recipes won’t turn out too salty.

Blackened Shrimp Tacos and Lime Wedges on a Plate

Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill

Blackened seasoning is typically made with oregano, thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of sugar. 

It is a versatile spice blend that can be used on chicken, pork, or seafood! Our family favorite is using this on shrimp and fish served on a bed or rice, pasta, or salads. 

Tip Box

If you want more of this flavor throughout your tacos feel free to add 1/2 teaspoon to your slaw mixture too! 

Use Frozen Shrimp for These Blackened Shrimp Tacos!

My friends, we are all about less stress and more joy here, so we are using frozen shrimp—I think shopping for ingredients you can find at any grocery store makes dinner a breeze. 

The best thing about buying frozen shrimp? You can choose ones that come deveined, cleaned, and peeled, which saves so much time. 

Also, you can thaw your shrimp the same day (which is helpful for those weeknights when you forget to put it in the fridge the night before). Just put the frozen shrimp in a large bowl of cold water while you prep your other ingredients. I promise it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to defrost.

If you happen to live near a fish market and want to use fresh shrimp, feel free (there will be additional prep time to account for the cleaning). 

Blackened Shrimp Tacos and Lime Wedges on a Plate Surrounded a Bowl of More Lime Wedge and a Bowl of Queso Fresco

Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill

Blackened Shrimp Taco Variations

  • Tortillas: Store-bought work wonders during busy weeknights, but if you prefer homemade, feel free to go that route too. You can also use flour tortillas instead of corn. 
  • Seasoning: If blackened seasoning is unavailable, you can buy or make your own Cajun seasoning. It has similar flavors but may be a tad bit spicier. 

What to Serve With Blackened Shrimp Tacos?

These tacos go great with this grilled Mexican street corn. Another good side dish is this Arroz Verde (Mexican green rice). 

If you have a sweet tooth like me, finish off this meal with some dessert—try our Mexican chocolate ice cream I delicious with hints of cinnamon and spice. 

How to Store and Reheat

I recommended eating the assembled tacos the same day. If you have leftover shrimp or slaw, you can store in separate air-tight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. 

When it’s time to reheat the shrimp, microwave them for about 1 to 2 minutes until they heat through. Or you can place them in a nonstick pan with about a teaspoon of oil and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes until they have heated through. 

Blackened Shrimp Tacos and Lime Wedges on a Plate Surrounded a Bowl of Rice and a Bowl of Queso Fresco

Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill

Even More Savory Shrimp Recipes!

Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 16 mins
Total Time 31 mins
Servings 4 servings
Yield 8 tacos

Depending on the brand of blackened seasoning bought, there might be a large amount of salt, so salt in this dish is optional.

Ingredients

For the shrimp tacos

  • 2 pounds extra-large shrimp (26-30 count), peeled, cleaned, and deveined 

  • 2 teaspoons blackened seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, if needed

  • 8 corn or flour tortillas

For the cabbage slaw

  • 2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise

  • 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil 

For serving

  • 1/2 cup crumbled Mexican queso fresco

  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

  • Lime wedges

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.  

    Wrap the tortillas in foil and place them on a baking sheet or pan.

  2. Season the shrimp:

    In a large bowl combine the shrimp, blackening seasoning, and salt.

    Blackened Shrimp Seasoned in a Bowl for Tacos Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill
  3. Warm the tortillas:

    Bake the foil-wrapped tortillas until the they are warmed through, about 10 minutes. (If your tortillas are done before you finish the slaw and shrimp, turn off the oven, and leave the tortillas inside to stay warm until you are ready to assemble.)

    Tortillas for Blackened Shrimp Tacos on Foil in a Baking Pan

    Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill
  4. Make the cabbage slaw:

    In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, mayo, sugar, black pepper, and white vinegar.

    Bowl of Sliced Red Cabbage and Mayonnaise Next to a Small Bowl of Seasoning and Another Small Bowl of Salt for Blackened Shrimp Tacos

    Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill
    Bowl of Red Cabbage Slaw Next to a Small Bowl of Seasoning and Another Small Bowl of Salt for Blackened Shrimp Tacos Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill
  5. Cook the shrimp:

    In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add in the oil. Once it’s hot, add the shrimp.

    Cook, until the shrimp have slightly browned on the outside and they have cooked through turning pink throughout, flipping halfway through, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

    Blackened Shrimp Cooked on a Skillet for Shrimp Tacos Recipe

    Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill
  6. Assemble the tortillas:

    Place the tortillas in a serving platter or plates. Divide the shrimp and slaw equally between the tortillas.

  7. Garnish and serve: 

    Garnish with cheese and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges. Serve.

  8. Storage:

    I recommended eating the assembled tacos that same day! If you have leftover shrimp or slaw feel free to store in separate air tight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!

    Blackened Shrimp Tacos and Lime Wedges on a Plate Surrounded Bowls of More Lime Wedge and a Bowl of Queso Fresco

    Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1111 Calories
35g Fat
122g Carbs
73g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 1111
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 35g 45%
Saturated Fat 8g 42%
Cholesterol 495mg 165%
Sodium 4069mg 177%
Total Carbohydrate 122g 44%
Dietary Fiber 9g 33%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 73g
Vitamin C 31mg 157%
Calcium 416mg 32%
Iron 8mg 45%
Potassium 897mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.